Porter County Community Foundation

Recovery

Lauren Varga — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:00:31 +0000

After losing a close friend and mentor to cancer, John turned to alcohol to cope. It became an addiction that compounded his problems and led to isolation. Seeking support and a way forward, John learned about Three20 Recovery Community from his godmother and decided to explore further.

Three20 Recovery empowers individuals recovering from substance use and mental health disorders through holistic support, creative programming, and peer mentorship. Through five core pathways— art, music, nutrition, fitness, and faith— the organization combines creativity with practical tools and applications to support individuals in their recovery journeys. A 2025 Porter County Community Fund grant for $8,683 is supporting Bringing Arts to Life, an initiative that provides new avenues for expression through music, culinary arts, and 3D design.

“A big part of recovery is connecting people with their passions,” said Allen Grecula, Executive Director. “There is a critical need for recovery programs that extend beyond abstinence, offering opportunities for skill-building, self-expression, and social connection. Bringing Arts to Life responds to this need by creating a safe, welcoming space where participants can rebuild confidence, discover new talents, and take pride in what they create.”

John started participating in Three20’s programming and connected with staff and others in recovery. “I started feeling like the old John again,” he said. “I was personable and outgoing, but I lost it for a long time. After getting involved with Three20, I started to see that guy again. It probably saved my life.”

Your support of the Porter County Community Fund helps provide impactful opportunities for individuals in recovery. Thank you for being part of this work.

Stewardship

Lauren Varga — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:34 +0000

Myrna Newgent learned the power of generous acts from her father. A World War II veteran, he continued his public service after the war by joining the volunteer fire department and helping to build the local firehouse and establish the rescue service. Born and raised in Virginia, Myrna and her husband, John, moved to northwest Indiana when he was hired as a civil engineer with American Bridge Company.

Inspired by a botany class she took at Indiana Dunes National Park, Myrna became curious about the local environment. When she retired from her job with the Social Security Administration, she had time to enjoy nature, walking around Miller Beach and looking for the plants she learned about in class.

Myrna soon became involved with Shirley Heinze Land Trust, an organization that preserves and restores natural areas in northwest Indiana. She joined the board and served as president for thirteen years. Myrna’s dedication to this work was fueled by her belief in the mission, her love of being outdoors, and the generous spirit passed on to her by her father. John supported her work, volunteering alongside her and offering his engineering skills.

After John passed, Myrna decided to establish the John and Myrna Newgent Stewardship Program Endowment Fund through the Porter County Community Foundation to provide perpetual support for the stewardship of Shirley Heinze Land Trust properties. “My involvement and commitment to Shirley Heinze Land Trust is my way of making the world a better place,” Myrna said. “Endowment giving provides the opportunity for me to help protect the biodiversity we have here for generations to come.”

PCCF is proud to manage this fund and ensure that Myrna’s efforts to support the long-term health and restoration of natural land in northwest Indiana will continue forever.

First Things First Porter County Selected for The Stanford Center on Early Childhood 2026 RAPID Community Voices Cohort

Lauren Varga — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:31:43 +0000

VALPARAISO, IND. — First Things First Porter County (FTF), a leadership initiative of the Porter County Community Foundation, has been selected for The Stanford Center on Early Childhood (SCEC) 2026 RAPID Community Voices cohort. First Things First is the first organization in Indiana to be selected to participate with RAPID. The Porter County Community Foundation is the first community foundation in the country to lead a RAPID project.

RAPID Community Voices collaborates with local organizations to co-design and implement surveys to deeply listen to caregivers of young children in their communities. Collaborators then use these data and insights to inform local decision-making, action, and advocacy.

First Things First Porter County plans to harness RAPID data to better understand families’ experiences in Lake and Porter Counties, particularly amid recent childcare funding cuts, to strengthen advocacy efforts, and create a more complete and compelling narrative to share with local and state legislators.

Organizations partnering with FTF across Northwest Indiana to co-design and implement surveys include Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, Crossroads YMCA, Duneland Family YMCA, Duneland School Corporation, Geminus Corporation, Help Me Grow Porter County, Merrillville Community School Corporation, One Region, Portage Township YMCA, and Valparaiso Family YMCA.

“First Things First is honored to be selected for this important data gathering and storytelling project that will accelerate our communities’ efforts to understand the needs of families with very young children,” said Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer, FTF Executive Director. “We cannot do this work alone, and we are eager to collaborate with partners who are critical to the success of our RAPID surveys.”

Following a tremendous response to the 2026 call for applications and a rigorous review process, the SCEC selected FTF alongside five other organizations to join this growing network of RAPID Community Voices collaborators: United Way of West Alabama, Early Matters San Antonio, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association and Waupaca County, THRIVE Family Health & Education Center (Durham County, NC), and Oneida Reads.

Now in its third cohort, RAPID Community Voices aims to collaborate with local organizations and leaders to implement place-based surveys over two years. The purpose of Community Voices is to (1) promote data-informed programs, advocacy, and policymaking at a community level and (2) build the capacity of public, private, and nonprofit community-based organizations to efficiently and effectively gather and act on the voices of and data from parents, families, and/or child care providers.

First Things First Porter County empowers the community to ensure every child has a healthy, thriving start to life through a seamless connection with the prenatal to 3 ecosystem that prioritizes brain development, language, & early relational health. Together with more than 70 community partners, First Things First Porter County is changing the culture around prenatal – 3 by developing a community-wide agenda, building a seamless ecosystem of support, and advocating for polices that support babies. Learn more at www.firstthingspc.org.

Keeping Up

Lauren Varga — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:00:21 +0000

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.

A Message from Bill

Lauren Varga — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:53 +0000

Thirty years ago, a group of people in Porter County made a quiet decision that would change thousands of lives: they decided to invest in their own community, permanently. They could not have known what that decision would become. They simply believed Porter County was worth investing in, and they acted on that belief.

You are the reason that decision has mattered.

Since PCCF awarded its very first grants in 1997, the growth has been extraordinary. What started as a modest investment has grown into something far larger than anyone could have predicted. As of December 31, 2025, PCCF has awarded more than $55 million in grants and scholarships to 1,018 organizations. Education. Housing. Food access. Mental health. Recovery. Environmental preservation. Arts and culture. The Community Fund reaches into every corner of community life.

That breadth matters because needs in a community do not arrive one at a time, neatly categorized. They arrive all at once, in the same neighborhoods, sometimes in the same families. A child struggling in kindergarten may be living in a home touched by food insecurity. A person in recovery may also be rebuilding family relationships fractured by years of isolation. PCCF’s Community Fund exists precisely because community is not a single issue — it is everything, all at once, and it deserves sustained, intentional support. When local nonprofits know that support is there, something changes. They can plan. They can grow. They can say yes to the family that walks through the door.

This is our 30th anniversary year. PCCF has grown from a promising idea into a significant force for good in northwest Indiana, not because of any single gift, but because hundreds of donors believed Porter County was worth it. And acted.

During this 30th year of community partnership, gifts to the Community Fund will continue to impact lives in every corner of Porter County. We invite you, a valued member of our community, to consider a gift of $30, $300, or even $500 or more. Thank you for being part of this powerful shared work that quietly knits our community together.

Rebuilding

Lauren Varga — Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:46 +0000

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 could live together as a family again.

The Caring Place provides services, shelter, and ongoing support for people experiencing domestic violence. A $25,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Porter County is benefiting The Caring Kitchen, a welcoming space for nourishment and healing that provides daily, nutritious meals to women and children recovering from domestic violence. In 2025, The Caring Place served more than 500 clients in shelter.

“While emergency shelter is essential, survivors need more than a roof over their heads to begin healing,” said Jessica Luth, President and CEO of The Caring Place. “One of the most consistent stressors faced by the women and children we serve is food insecurity. Many arrive with little to no access to food, no income, and significant trauma. Without consistent nutrition, it is difficult to address other needs.”

Keisha and her children spent time in The Caring Kitchen rebuilding their relationship after their time apart. They made meals together, and the kids sat around the dining room table after school completing their homework. Today the family is thriving in stable, permanent housing.

Your gifts to the Porter County Community Foundation and the Women’s Fund of Porter County provide opportunities for healing and connection. Thank you for being a part of this important work.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality.

Pictured: Jessica Luth, President and CEO of The Caring Place

Spring Message

Lauren Varga — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:40:29 +0000

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 child turns three. Not by age ten. Not by kindergarten. By three.

That truth is what keeps us focused on First Things First.

Five years ago, the Porter County Community Foundation launched First Things First Porter County because we believe that when a community truly takes care of its youngest children, everything else gets better — schools, workforce, health, hope. It is the longest of long games, and it is exactly the kind of work this community foundation was built to champion.

Today, First Things First Porter County brings together 70 partner agencies united around this single, urgent conviction: that the first three years of a child’s life are the most important three years of any life.

In this issue—in mailboxes now and online over the coming weeks— we want to introduce you to three of those partners and the families whose lives are changing because of the work you make possible here in Porter County. Their stories are the reason we do this work. We think they will move you.

This special Annual Report issue highlights organizations and people who strengthen our community by providing connection for community members in recovery, support for students as they enter school, hope for survivors of domestic violence, and resources to preserve the natural beauty of our region.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we find ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude — for this community, for partners who show up with excellence and compassion, and for donors like you who believe, as we do, that generosity invested in the right places at the right time changes everything.

You are proof that taking care of First Things First works. Thank you for being part of this.

With gratitude,

Bill Higbie, President & CEO
Matt Vessely, Board Chair

Porter County Community Foundation Awards Over $250,000 to Local Community Organizations

Lauren Varga — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:10 +0000

VALPARAISO, IND. — The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) awarded $257,479 in grants to 33 local nonprofit organizations as part of the 2026 Spring Community Fund grant cycle.

The following organizations and programs are receiving funding:

The Caring Place – $10,000 to increase survivor safety through trauma-informed partnership with local law enforcement
Daybreak Shelter – $10,000 to expand a volunteer‑driven transportation program
Dunes Learning Center – $10,000 to support hands-on environmental STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
Hebron Country Pantry – $10,000 to replace aging refrigerators and freezers
Humane Indiana – $5,000 to help establish a Wildlife Resource and Intake Center
Humane Society of Hobart – $5,000 to support care costs for Porter County animals
Lakeshore Public Media – $8,484 to improve radio broadcast delivery capabilities
LaSalle Council, Scouting America – $5,000 to increase access to scouting for Porter County youth
Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department – $10,000 to improve safety with the purchase of task-appropriate gear
Living Hope Community Church – $10,000 to create a commissary kitchen for Community Change Center’s Fresh Starts Food Truck
Memorial Opera House Foundation – $5,965 to enhance technology for a more seamless experience for patrons, donors, and team members
Mental Health America (MHA) of Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to integrate mental health care and support into the Mothers & Babies program
Moraine House – $4,500 to upgrade kitchen appliances
Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department – $4,570 to purchase specialized fire equipment for incidents involving electric and hybrid vehicles
Opportunity Enterprises – $10,000 to support Camp Lakeside, a summer day camp designed for children of all abilities
Pines Fire Department – $5,800 to enhance safety with the purchase of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Portage Recovery Association – $10,000 to support the transformation of their community-based 12-Step substance recovery and mental health facility
Porter County Aging and Community Services – $10,000 to provide short-term support to Porter County residents facing unexpected crises
Porter County Parks Foundation – $10,000 to support completion of a playground at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
Porter County Public Library System – $10,000 to support safety with the addition of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at all Porter County Public Library branches
Porter County Special Olympics – $10,000 to expand access to year-round bowling for Porter County Special Olympics athletes
Project Neighbors – $10,000 to increase organizational capacity and better serve residents with a secure maintenance shed
Rebuilding Together Duneland – $5,000 to improve the safety and livability of homes for low-income residents
Rebuilding Together Hebron – $5,000 to complete repair projects that help low-income homeowners stay in their homes
The Salvation Army of Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to support food pantry equipment upgrades
Shirley Heinze Land Trust – $1,160 to support professional development and training
Sleep in Heavenly Peace – $4,000 to build beds for 25 children who do not have one
South Shore Performing Arts – $8,000 to replace essential South Shore Brass Band equipment
St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center – $5,000 to replace leaking and corroded sinks and faucets
United Way Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to support volunteer mobilization for high-impact service projects and enhance year-round engagement
Valparaiso Parks and Recreation Foundation – $10,000 to support creation of an infant and toddler play zone at Kirchhoff Park
Valparaiso Police Department – $5,000 to provide car seats and child passenger safety education
VNA Hospice NWI – $10,000 to expand and strengthen support for grieving children, teens, young adults, and their families through the VNA Phoenix Center

These grants are possible because of the support of philanthropic community members who have given to the Porter County Community Fund or made unrestricted gifts to the Foundation since 1996.

The application for the next grant cycle will open July 1. The deadline to apply is August 15, 2026, at noon. More information is available online at PCCF.gives.

The Porter County Community Foundation collaborates with community members to support their favorite causes by creating and managing permanent endowment funds that make it possible for generosity to last forever. Since 1996, PCCF has awarded over $55 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in our community. To learn more about how you can make a lasting difference for your favorite causes, contact PCCF at 219-465-0294 or visit the Foundation online at PCCF.gives.

Photo Caption: Porter-Starke Services received a grant from the Community Fund to support the Women’s Recovery Home, a longstanding collaboration with the Caring Place that connects women living with substance use disorders to the programs, services, and treatment that support recovery.

Cherished

Lauren Varga — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:00:39 +0000

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 decades and the ways he can share some of what he has for the benefit of others.

As a long-time donor to the Porter County Community Foundation, John was familiar with the Foundation’s role in creating and managing permanent endowment funds. The idea of making a charitable gift aligned with his values, knowing it would continue to be felt for generations to come.

In 2024, to honor Sue’s memory, he established two funds that will support science education at the school where she taught. The first, the Sue Peyton Endowment Fund for Boone Grove High School Science Department, provides an annual disbursement to support expenses not covered in the budget, creating opportunities for additional impactful learning experiences. “It was important to Sue to provide exceptional learning experiences for her students,” John said. “Having some extra funding available will help make that possible.”

Second, the Sue Peyton Science Prize is awarded by the science teachers to a graduating senior to assist with college expenses. “I’m a believer in academics,” John said. “I want to encourage students to go on and further their education—especially good science students.”

PCCF is honored to manage these funds in memory of Sue that support science education in our community. Through John’s gifts, the cause she cherished will receive perpetual support, and the teachers and students at Boone Grove High School will forever be reminded that Sue Peyton cared.

Porter County Community Foundation Awards Chesterton Art Center a Capital Grant

Lauren Varga — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:49:36 +0000

CHESTERTON, IND. — Chesterton Art Center is thrilled to announce that they have been awarded a $30,000 Capital Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation to support their 116 Expansion Project. CAC officially announced the acquisition of the building at 116 S. 4^th St. (Chesterton, IN) in October 2025 and in November, launched a capital campaign to transform 116 into a dynamic and accessible arts education hub that will serve the Duneland community and beyond for generations to come.

Once renovated, 116 will feature two studio classrooms that will house both a ceramics studio and 2D studio. Additionally, the building will serve as the hub for CAC’s growing ArtsConnect classes for adults aged 60+ and allow the organization to host larger community events and programs. “This project is more than a renovation; it’s a promise to our community. A promise that creativity will always have a home here. That every artist, from curious beginner to seasoned professional, will have a place to explore, create, and belong,” said Hannah Hammond-Hagamn, CAC Executive Director. She went on to say, “The support that we have received from the PCCF will make it possible for us to open our doors wider than ever!”

“The Porter County Community Foundation is proud to provide support for the 116 Expansion Project,” said Bill Higbie, PCCF President and CEO. “Porter County has a vibrant arts community, and the Chesterton Art Center is a critical part of it. Increasing access to art opportunities across all generations and abilities will enhance the Duneland community and our entire region.”

CAC expects to open their new classrooms to the community in Spring 2026. For more information about CAC’s 116 Expansion Project and to read a full project description, please visit www.chestertonart.org/116.