Bond

Sarah* and her husband wanted to grow their family. When she found out she was expecting, it felt like a dream. Unfortunately, she faced postpartum mental health issues out of her control and made choices that jeopardized her baby’s safety. A court order for supervised visits brought her to Family House.

Family House supports parents like Sarah and their children by facilitating healthy family interactions. In 2025, Family House served 75 families and more than 100 children. Working closely with the court, the organization fills an important community need—a safe and comfortable place for supervised visitation services and custody exchanges as well as parenting education and support groups. A $10,000 grant from the Porter County Community Fund in 2025 funded the repair of Family House’s front porch, creating a safer and more welcoming entryway for families.

“Learning how to put children first can be difficult for parents when dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse, or domestic violence,” said Kamryn Shtompil, Family House Executive Director. “Our ‘house’ provides a comforting, home-like environment for quality family time, while our staff members combine knowledge and care to create a nurturing space for the children and parents to grow their relationships.”

Sarah spent time at Family House while her baby was 6 months to 2 years old. Today she and her child, who is now in elementary school, are thriving. Because of Family House, they built a strong bond during a critical development stage. Without this resource, the relationship would have been paused while Sarah accessed treatment for her mental health struggles. She is proud of her progress and attributes it to her experience with Family House.

Family House is one of many vital nonprofits supporting families in Porter County. Your philanthropic support of the Porter County Community Foundation helps Family House maintain a safe, home-like environment for the families it serves. Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of parents and children in our community.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality.