GAPS was founded in 2016 with a bold and deeply rooted idea: Gary’s alumni are one of the city’s greatest untapped strengths.

That vision was led by Carlton L. Guthrie, a proud Gary native and accomplished manufacturing executive, who saw what was possible when alumni power was organized, aligned, and activated. Rather than working in silos, Guthrie forged a collaborative bridge between five alumni groups focused on West Side Leadership Academy (WSLA)—bringing them together around a shared commitment to Gary’s students.

From the beginning, GAPS was built to be more than a standalone program. Through a strategic partnership with Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC), GAPS became the district’s primary partner in helping meet the academic, career, and post-secondary needs of students. This relationship grounded the organization’s work directly within the school system—ensuring relevance, coordination, and real impact.

What began as a volunteer-driven effort quickly grew into a structured ecosystem of mentorship, exposure, and opportunity—powered by alumni pride and strengthened by community partnerships. Over time, GAPS expanded its programming, deepened relationships with schools and employers, and refined a model that helps students explore careers, build confidence, and prepare for life after graduation.

Today, under the leadership of Lisa Bennett, Chair and Acting Executive Director, GAPS continues to evolve—carrying forward the founding spirit of connection, collaboration, and belief in Gary’s young people. At its core, GAPS remains grounded in a simple truth: when alumni rise, students rise—and a city rises with them.