Turning everyday moments into opportunities for children to grow, connect, and build critical skills is an impact strategy of Heart of Indiana United Way. A newly redesigned waiting area at Ball State University’s Interprofessional Community Clinics is now intentionally built to do just that—support early learning and strengthen family engagement.
Students in an immersive learning course at Ball State University, led by Associate Clinical Professor Jeanne McMillan, played a central role in bringing this vision to life. Created in partnership with Heart of Indiana United Way’s Director of Learning Support Ashley Breedlove, this space transformation was funded by an Early Years Initiative grant from Early Learning Indiana and by the George and Frances Ball Foundation.
The space was designed with one goal in mind: to help young children develop strong language and literacy skills from the very start. By transforming a traditional waiting room into an interactive, literacy-rich environment, families are now encouraged to learn through play, conversation, and shared experiences. Through the course, students designed the space with a focus on accessibility, engagement, and developmental impact—applying what they’ve learned in a way that directly benefits children and families.
“Every element of the space invites interaction. From hands-on activities to prompts that encourage caregiver-child connection, the environment supports developmental growth while helping families feel confident in their role as their child’s first teacher,” said Breedlove.
This transformation reflects a growing understanding that early learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms—it can happen anywhere. By embedding these opportunities into a healthcare setting used by families across the Heart of Indiana region, the clinic is helping ensure that more children have access to the tools and experiences they need to enter school ready to learn.
Heart of Indiana United Way’s President & CEO Jenn Marsh added, “Our partnership with Ball State University is forged through strong community collaboration and a shared commitment to early childhood success. This space demonstrates how intentional design—and experiential learning—can create meaningful impact for both families and future professionals.”