Range of free and low-cost courses include art, technology, health, finances and more
Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University/Senior Planet, Reading Skills, and Adult Education programs.
CURE is now enrolling for the following offerings:
Senior University & Adult Education Courses
For Senior University and Adult Education Courses, register online at the link below or call 219-980-6907 unless otherwise noted.
Senior & Adult Ed: Enroll
Senior Planet: Intro to Selling Online
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20
In-person at the IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 13
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Want to make some extra money? Online marketplaces make it easy to sell almost anything – from your vintage collectibles to handmade crafts! This lecture will introduce you to different online platforms for selling all kinds of items, including furniture, clothing, household items and more. We’ll also cover some tips and best practices for safely using these platforms so you can avoid scams and sell confidently.
Senior Planet: Digital Coupon Tools
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Feb. 16
Free and open to adults ages 60+
If you like saving money on groceries and everyday items, then this presentation is for you! This session will introduce you to the world of digital couponing and a variety of tools to help you get started. You’ll learn about coupon websites, apps and databases as well as tips for getting the best deals.
Adult Ed/Senior U: The Empowered Caregiver: Supporting Independence
12-1:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadlines: Feb. 13 for in-person, Feb. 25 for Zoom
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Linda Curley, Purdue Extension Educator and Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator, for the second presentation in the Empowered Caregiver education series. This series teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia. This session will explore how caregivers can help the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, with a focus on providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
IUN Community Garden: A Beginner’s Guide to Gardening with Native Plants
12:30-1:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28
Zoom Meeting
Registration deadline: Feb. 26
Free and open to adults of all ages
Are you interested in adding native plants to your garden, but aren’t sure where to start? Spend your lunch break with Katie Hobgood, Program Director at Save the Dunes, for an informative talk that will cover all the basics you need to know. You’ll learn about the pros & cons of seeds vs plugs, how to select the right plants for your space, where you can purchase native plants and much more! This 101-style overview will give you the information you need to get started, while also highlighting free resources that will help you put your plans into action.
Senior University: Preserving History through Multimedia Art
3-5 p.m., Mondays, March 3 through April 14
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 16
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Jessica Renslow, multimedia specialist, for this 7-part, in-person series to learn how to preserve personal/local history through multimedia art. Multimedia art combines different content types such as images, text, audio, video and/or animation into a single work of art. In this class, participants will learn the basics of color theory, video editing, audio editing, graphic design as well as how to utilize Canva, a free online design platform. These skills will be used to create a multimedia work of art, which participants can choose to present at a public showcase on May 9, 2025.
Activities are made possible in part by South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.
IUN Community Garden: Pruning 101
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 4
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 18
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Dolly Foster, Certified Arborist and Indiana Accredited Horticulturist, at the IUN Community Garden and learn pruning techniques for fruiting trees and shrubs. Annual pruning helps maintain tree/shrub health, improves fruit quality and quantity and promotes strong structural growth. This workshop will include demonstrations of pruning techniques, which participants will have a chance to practice. In the event of inclement weather, the session will be rescheduled for Friday, March 7 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Senior University: Introduction to Email and Internet
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fridays, March 7 through March 28
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 20
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you have a functioning knowledge of computers (i.e., you can access an email account) and are ready to take the next step, then join Chelsea Whittington for this 4-part, in-person series! The email component of the series will introduce participants to basic email terms and actions such as forwarding messages, attaching photos and documents and sending messages to multiple parties. The internet component will define basic internet terms and teach participants how to access and surf the internet safely. This series will be held in a computer lab at the IUN campus.
Senior Planet: Introduction to Managing Your Privacy Online
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, March 10
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: March 2
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Concerned about privacy when online? Unsure about accepting cookies? Then come learn about some essential privacy tips! In this introductory lecture, we’ll review how ads target us online, how to limit tracking, where to find browser settings and extensions to better control how our information is shared. We’ll also discuss some of the key features of password managers and why they’re a safe and secure option.
Senior University: Smartphones I for Androids
2-4 p.m., Tuesdays, March 11 through March 25
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 25
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Is your smartphone outsmarting you? It won’t be for long if you register for this three-part series on how to operate your Android smartphone. Join technology wiz, Brittany Taylor, and learn how to download apps, check email, send texts, customize settings and much more! Register today and show your smartphone who’s smarter!
Senior University: Smartphones I for iPhones
2-4 p.m., Thursdays, March 13 through March 27
Concurrent: Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: February 27
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Is your smartphone outsmarting you? It won’t be for long if you register for this three-part series on how to operate your iPhone smartphone. Join technology wiz, Brittany Taylor, and learn how to download apps, check email, send texts, customize settings and much more! Register today and show your smartphone who’s smarter!
IUN Community Garden: Spring Garden Clean Up
12- 1:15 p.m., Thursday, March 20
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: March 18
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Dolly Foster, Indiana Accredited Horticulturist, to learn the steps you can take to clean up your garden and prepare for the growing season. Topics covered will include pruning, composting and special plant preparation for spring.
Adult Ed/Senior U: Protect Yourself: Fraud Prevention
12-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 26
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: March 11
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Centier Bank for a comprehensive financial education session designed for adults of all ages. This informative presentation will cover crucial topics such as fraud prevention strategies, steps to take if you become a victim of fraud, how to begin the recovery process and real-world examples of common fraud schemes. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge to protect their finances and enhance their overall financial well-being.
Senior Planet: Understanding Internet Plans
10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, March 27
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: March 19
Free and open to adults ages 60+
In this lecture, we will break down the different parts of a home internet plan so that you can choose the best option for your household. We will go over important terminology, from hotspots to bandwidth. Participants will learn about the best internet speeds for different kinds of activities, from emailing to gaming. We will also discuss tips for talking with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and for saving money on your bill.
Reading Skills Programs
Schedule and cost vary
Programs for all grade levels
Reading Skills Program: Enroll
Offered in partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, these programs are specifically designed to give students the skills, motivation and individual support they need at each grade level. Students attend weekly classes that build skills and provide great experiences with terrific books. Between classes, students practice reading and complete fun, interactive lessons that develop core skills and build confidence.
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Fundamental Courses: Enroll
Online fundamental courses are informative, fun and convenient. Fundamental courses include instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board allowing you to interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing.
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
Career Training Programs: Enroll
The online, open-enrollment Career Training Programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Our programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging, and motivating you to succeed.
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
Comprehensive Career Tracks: Enroll
These online Career Track programs offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in a self-paced format and offer opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.