The Benton Township Board of Trustees has been briefed on the latest things happening at public housing sites around the community.

At a meeting this week, Benton Township Housing Commission President Joseph Taylor told the board he wants to start giving it quarterly updates on the latest goings on. Turns out there’s plenty, as commission Director Joyce Palmer told trustees about some special programming offered to residents.

“We have Taekwondo starting at Blossom Acres next Tuesday,” Palmer said. “We have substance abuse. Chess is coming, bingo. We have for the residents at our Plaza Manor office every Friday, we give some snacks.”

Palmer said there’s a support group at Blossom Acres for men who were recently incarcerated as well as drunk driving assessment program.

Taylor said the Benton Township Housing Commission is “changing the game” by engaging residents and young people with things to do.

“How do we encourage, right? How do we change the mindset? How do we change group dynamics? Meaning we don’t have to put a fist up. Sometimes we can talk it out. So maybe we game it out. Maybe we do the right things,” Taylor said.

Palmer said some other developments include plans to open a gaming center and reopen the laundry facility at Blossom Acres. Taylor said having lived at Blossom Acres as a child, he knows that the most important thing about the community is its kids.