Engage in Beloit
The people of Beloit have always worked together to build up our community. One brick at a time, one nail at a time, one block at a time.
Community involvement and partnerships have been key to the incredible success stories found throughout Beloit. Everywhere you look in Beloit, revitalization is evident; our bustling downtown, the thriving riverfront; neighborhood renewal. The people of Beloit have worked hard to make our city an attractive and exciting community where people desire to live, and businesses choose to build.
Whether it’s one individual that saw an empty city lot and envisioned the community garden that could thrive there; or a group of business leaders that saw a blighted riverfront and banded together to beautify it one block at a time; or a group of people who wanted to breathe new life into a dilapidated 150-year old gristmill and made it happen. It’s because of dedicated people like these that get involved and see only opportunity where others may see challenges. This is why Beloit thrives and grows. Be. Come. Involved.
TURTLE CREEK CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | ENGAGING YOUTH IN MUSIC
Dr. J. Ian Nie, a music professor at Beloit College, and his student, Carol Roy, called a meeting in April, 2012 along with other interested musicians and teachers of music. Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra (TCCO) was launches and quick action was taken to file incorporation papers as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.
Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra performs a summer concert series, holds an annual scholarship competition, and conducts a summer music camp for children. Operational funds come from grants, donations, and fundraisers, and all board and orchestra members are volunteers; there are no paid staff members.
The summer concert series consists of five concerts performed in Beloit, Janesville, and the surrounding communities. Since it’s inception, the orchestra has grown from a 25-piece string orchestra to a 55-piece orchestra that includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Musical selections cover a broad spectrum, from traditional Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart, to contemporary Broadway and movie themes, and even some pop and rock music.
The musicians are from southern Wisconsin and many are full-time teachers. Many of them play for other groups such as the Beloit/Janesville Symphony, the GoDeans, and various other musical organizations.
PROJECT 16:49 | GETTING HOMELESS TEENS BACK ON THEIR FEET
16 hours and 49 minutes: the time between school ending one day and beginning the next.
In 2010, local filmmaker R.E. Burgos created Sixteen Forty-Nine, a moving documentary that shed a light on the issue of youth homelessness in Rock County. The film was shown at the Beloit International Film Festival and later won the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth media award.
Perhaps most importantly, the film became a catalyst for the founding of Project 16:49, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving homeless youth.
Project 16:49 Executive Director Tammy DeGarmo recalls seeing the film for the first time. “The film was such an eye opener for so many of us,” she says. “I knew people were experiencing homelessness in our community, but had never thought about teenagers who are still trying to finish high school having to face such overwhelming and dangerous circumstances on their own.”
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY BUILDS NEW LEADERS
The Leadership Development Academy of Rock County is comprised of individuals, businesses and organizations interested in positively impacting our community by providing a personal and professional empowerment experience for aspiring leaders.
The Leadership Development Academy program consists of one full-day session per month for nine months focusing on community awareness, economic development, communication skills, panels on board governance, Human Resources, marketing, leadership and fundraising. There are multiple networking opportunities with fellow program participants and an alumni base of 500+ community members. The program concludes with groups presenting on their community impact project they have developed over the past 9 months, with hopes for long-lasting,
positive impact in the community.
The leaders that emerge from the LDA experience are fundamentally changed and more deeply connected to our community. Since its inception in 2003, LDA will celebrate 100 projects invested developed in Rock County, supporting multiple organizations and community members. Program graduates have gone on to lead both private-sector and nonprofit organizations, serve in a public office, and participate on boards of directors for countless local nonprofit agencies.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Since 1971, Beloit Meals on Wheels (BMOW) has been nourishing the lives of homebound older adults, age 60+. By delivering healthy meals and friendly visits, the organization works to ensure that no homebound senior in our community is left feeling hungry or forgotten.
What makes BMOW truly special is the people behind the mission: compassionate volunteers, supported by workplace partners, friendly caring staff, corporate sponsors, United Way Blackhawk Region, and generous community supporters.
Together, they serve older adults recovering from illness or surgery, those in need of long-term assistance, and those who depend on BMOW as a lasting source of connection and care.
At the heart of it all are their volunteers. By sharing as little as one hour a month, they bring nourishment, comfort, and a friendly smile right to the doorsteps of neighbors in need. They are living proof that even a small act of service can make a big difference.
Learn More About Meals on Wheels
VETSROLL.ORG – HONORING OUR HEROS
VetsRoll.org was founded in 2011 by Beloit brothers John and Mark Finnegan, who were inspired to honor the legacy of their parents and all the members who served. Coming from a military family, their father, Cy Finnegan, was a U.S. Navy Veteran in WWII, while their mother, Barbara Finnegan, contributed to the war effort through her work with the War Department in Arlington, WA. Motivated by their parents’ stories and sacrifice, the Finnegan brothers set out to ensure that WWII and Korean Era Veterans, along with “Rosie the Riveters,” had the chance to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C. that were built in their honor. What began as a personal tribute has since grown into a nationally recognized program, providing more than 2,500 Veterans with a fully funded trip to the nation’s capital since the first journey in 2010.
Each May, buses depart from Beloit, transporting Veterans, Rosies, volunteers, and medical personnel on a three-day journey throughout multiple states, ending in Washington, D.C. The experience offers closure, gratitude, and respect to those who sacrificed. After visiting the memorials and spending time with fellow service members, the group returns home to a hero’s welcome homecoming, complete with patriotic crowds, a victory parade, and a dazzling fireworks display.
The inaugural VetsRoll trip took place from May 17-20, 2010, and included more than 125 WWII Veterans and Rosies traveling in a caravan of motorhomes, charter buses, and support vehicles. Since then, the program has expanded significantly, accommodating up to 200 Veterans annually, supported by a team of more than 100 volunteers and medical staff. These trips are made possible through generous donations from individuals, businesses, and community partners who want to recognize and thank our nation’s heroes.
Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate, or sign up a Veteran for the next trip, you can find more information at VetsRoll.org.
RISING PROFESSIONALS PROMOTE BELOIT
Since 2014, Rising Professionals have spearheaded the effort to engage and retain rising professionals in the Beloit region. They operate with the goal of forging friendships, cultivating relationships, and guiding individuals towards successful careers. Their primary focus lies in connecting members to their community through innovative and meaningful initiatives.
Their mission is to empower and unify rising professionals in the greater Beloit region by offering dynamic social and professional prospects while nurturing a profound sense of community involvement. As a constituent of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, they act as a catalyst for advocating the Beloit region as a vibrant and enjoyable environment for young professionals to reside, work, and embrace life, ultimately fostering talent retention and the development of future leaders.