The McLean County Veterans Commission supports Heartland students

Heartland Community College has received support from a local veterans organization and two community arts non-profit funds to support the CreatiVets program. 

The Penn Family Veterans Center at Heartland is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the McLean County Veterans Commission to support the purchase of U.S. military branch flags, food and refreshments for student veterans who utilize the center, and supplies for the CreatiVets art classes at the college. CreatiVets is a non-profit organization that offers opportunities for veterans to connect and communicate through arts programs. 

Heartland has also received two other grants to support the CreatiVets art program. 

The College received a $3,300 from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, a local non-profit that offers grant opportunities to area nonprofit organizations providing community services in a wide variety of areas, including arts and culture and education. 

A $2,500 Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant will also support the veteran art program. The Harmon Arts Grant, named to honor former Mayor of Normal, Paul Harmon, was created in 1993 to help promote the arts in the community. 

Tuition and all course expenses for the art course are paid for student veterans thanks to grant funding, local gifts, and a partnership with the non-profit organization CreatiVets. 

CreatiVets Executive Director and co-founder Richard Casper attended Heartland Community College from 2007 to 2009 and received an Associate in Arts degree. He is a United States Marine veteran, Purple Heart recipient, artist, and entrepreneur. Nominated by Heartland Community College, Casper was the 2021 recipient of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association Distinguished Alumni Award. 

The CreatiVets course at Heartland is open to veterans, their caregivers, and military spouses. Individuals interested in the Veterans Center or learning more about the CreatiVets art course may contact Jerri Andrew at jerri.andrew@heartland.edu.