For a long time, Eva* was ‘flying under the radar.’ She was the quiet student teachers worry about most—struggling just enough to stay behind, but not enough to be noticed. Lacking confidence and easily overwhelmed by frustration, she often found herself in tears.
Parents as Teachers of Porter County is an early childhood, parenting, and family education program that provides consistent and nurturing support to children like Eva. Through the Extend program, teachers identify kindergarten students who are behind in social and emotional readiness and developmental and academic milestones including recognizing letters and numbers, using scissors, and gripping a pencil. The students receive targeted remediation to close gaps and improve long-term academic outcomes. A 2025 Community Fund grant provided $10,000 to support this important work.
“Investing in early intervention isn’t just about helping individual children—it’s about strengthening the fabric of an entire community,” said Jill Stricker, the organization’s director. “These children are our future students, neighbors, and leaders, and when they struggle in their earliest school experiences, the entire community feels the ripple effects.”
Everything changed for Eva when she joined the Extend program. Today, the tears are gone, replaced by a bold voice and the courage to ask for help. No longer just keeping up, Eva has become a cornerstone of her classroom, meticulously finishing her projects and stepping up to mentor her peers with newfound grace.
Your philanthropy has helped Parents as Teachers of Porter County expand programming and reach more students. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children and families in our community.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality.
