Category: Stories
Rebuilding
Keisha* left an abusive relationship and took refuge at a shelter for women, but her four children were not able to join her there. Instead, they stayed with a family member. The time apart was difficult and impacted their connection to each other. After six months, they were reunited at The Caring Place, where they […]
Spring Message
Imagine being three years old. You don’t know it yet, but the world forming around you right now — the voices, the touch, the stories read at bedtime, the feeling of being safe and seen — is quietly, powerfully building the architecture of who you will become. Eighty percent of brain development happens before a […]
Cherished
John and Sue Peyton moved from Ohio to her hometown of Valparaiso in 1979. John ran the family business. Sue spent twenty-two years teaching biology and chemistry at Boone Grove High School. Together, they raised two sons. Sue died in 2016. Now retired, John reflects on the community he has called home for nearly five […]
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 […]
Stabilizing
Amanda* recently moved to the area with her children after leaving an abusive relationship. She found housing and employment and was working to rebuild her life in a new community. Unfortunately, the vehicle she depended on to get to her job and transport her children was not safe or reliable, jeopardizing her family’s stability. Porter […]
Winter Message
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we begin with an announcement grounded in gratitude. For over two years, we worked toward a lofty goal—raising $1.5 million for our Community Fund to leverage a $3 million matching gift from Lilly Endowment. Because of your generosity and care for this community, we met our goal. […]
Essentials
Four-year-old Zoe* loved rainbows, unicorns, and wearing her hair in braids. She did not have a stable home environment and lived with her mom in a car temporarily before being placed in a foster home. MAKS supports kids like Zoe by providing personal care and comfort items as well as clothing and furniture while they […]
Multiplier
Justin knew little about the area when he moved to Porter County in 2018. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and his wife, Heather, grew up in South Bend. His job as a financial planner brought them to Valparaiso. “We fell in love with the community,” said Justin. “We have access to everything we […]
A Message from Bill
During this season of giving, your generosity can go even further. Thanks to a special Lilly Endowment initiative, every unrestricted gift to the Community Fund is helping us reach a $1.5 million goal that will unlock a powerful $3 million matching grant. With more than $1.4 million already raised, we are nearly there—and your gift […]
Connected
When Hilltop Mission Kitchen opened its doors to serve hot, nutritious meals to the community, Carolina eagerly volunteered to cook. A resident of the neighborhood and a client of Hilltop’s Food Pantry, she faced food insecurity herself. For thirty years, Hilltop Neighborhood House has empowered the community and strengthened families by providing a place to […]
