Danielle Corley, president of the Michigan City Veterans Commission, presented the commission’s 2025 annual report to the Michigan City Common Council on July 1, detailing free fitness programs, mental-health presentations and employment outreach aimed at veterans and their families.

The presentation said the commission has partnered with local veterans service organizations — including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion and Community Outreach through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs — as well as Franciscan Health, the Michigan City Police Department and WorkOne to provide services. Corley described free weekly “Kicking It with Cookie” line-dancing sessions and free Zumba classes at the American Legion, which she said draw 20–35 participants weekly.

Corley said the commission has started monthly mental-health presentations and will host talks including a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and a veteran’s advocate tied to suicide-prevention work. She also reported a veterans job fair organized with WorkOne and local employers, and said the commission is auditing its list of support contacts to remove defunct referrals and ensure veterans in crisis reach working providers.

Council members praised the outreach and asked the commission to post contact and program information on the city website. Councilman Beatri asked about minutes and meeting schedule changes; Corley said meetings moved to the second Monday at 5 p.m. and that she provides materials to the parks-and-recreation assistant for posting. Councilwoman Lee and others asked whether the commission offers mobile services for veterans who cannot travel; Corley said the DAV chapter and six service officers assist veterans and that the group sees 160–200 veterans a month at the DAV site.

Corley encouraged council members to circulate the commission’s PowerPoint; Councilman Nelson asked that the presentation be emailed to the whole council. Several council members asked the commission to supply brief bullet points and contact details for the city website so veterans can find services quickly.

The council did not take a formal vote on the report; the item was presented as an informational board-and-commission report.