Our team lives, works, and plays throughout the region. Together, Saint Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, and Berrien Counties join enFocus as we strive to become a national model for talent attraction and retention. We offer activities for Fellows to create a deeper connection with the region, and we hope for them to someday call it home.
The region’s affordable living and numerous venues for outdoor activities, arts, dining, shopping, sports, and more, creates an environment where there is truly something for everyone to explore. As a part of the enFocus experience, we offer meaningful opportunities for our Fellows to experience the region first-hand. Throughout the year, we provide tours of regional hot-spots to new team members and share a variety of experiences they can pursue.
We recently hosted our tours, and incoming Fellows had the chance to learn more about local businesses, regional industry, and the preservation of vibrant communities.
Chiyedza Chinake, a new Fellow to the enFocus team shares her highlights of the Quilt Garden Project in Elkhart, Indiana. She shares, “This remarkable rejuvenation project draws inspiration from Amish quilt-making heritage. It boasts of over 1 million species of flowers and herbs in quilt-like gardens dotted across the city. We had the opportunity to explore ‘The Four Seasons’ quilt garden featuring four distinct blooms symbolizing seasonal changes. This amazing initiative has generated over $27 million in tourism revenue, attracting visitors nationwide to admire its intricate designs.”
Carly Colvin, a recent addition to the enFocus team who was born and raised in South Bend expresses, “Even as a South Bend native, I have not spent much time in Elkhart and Goshen as I would have liked. I really appreciated the opportunity to explore the area. It’s incredible to see within the last decade the businesses and social initiatives in the region that have revitalized and strengthened these communities!”
Both Chiyenza and Carly recognize the efforts to preserve and maintain the greatness of our local communities. As they continue to connect with the region, their commitment to developing it further will continue to grow.
Some of the region’s fun attractions, like the Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Studebaker Museum, and the RV Hall of Fame and Museum, are just a few of the places our Fellows will visit to develop a deeper sense of locality and community.
Fellows like Chiyedza and Carly recognize the opportunities waiting for them in the South Bend-Elkhart region. With entertainment options like low-cost events, concerts, a variety of sport outings, and festivals throughout the year, our Fellows will be immersed in the best our region has to offer.
If that isn’t enough to do, many people enjoy outdoor activities. The St. Joseph River provides a great course for canoeing, kayaking, and even white water rafting. Our location in Niles, MI, is also close to local and beautiful beaches, wineries, and much more.
Whether you are a South Bend native or just visiting South Bend for the first time, you will quickly learn that there are countless ways to connect with the region and meet the people who call it home. We can’t wait to see how our newest Fellows foster a connection with the region and learn what it all has to offer!
Can’t wait to see more of our adventures in the region? Follow us on Instagram and search #roamtheregion to see what attractions we visit all year round!