Foundation, Kiwanis Partner on Ramp for Local Veteran

Several members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis Club and staff of the Porter County Community Foundation met on June 28th at the Portage home of Emil Cripe and Mary Ann Lonergan for the installation of an access ramp for Emil, a U.S. Navy veteran. Emil served aboard various ships from 1967 – 1971 as a Gun Line Radarman.

Members of the Valparaiso Kiwanis club installed a ramp at the home of U.S. Navy Veteran Emil Cripe.

Back Row, Left to right: Bill Higbie, Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO; Valparaiso Kiwanis Club members Steve Stackert & Larry Fikes; Mary Anne Lonergan, ramp recipient; Emil Cripe, U.S. Navy Veteran and ramp recipient, Kiwanis Club members John Moulton & Bob Westfall. Front Row, Left to right: Kiwanis Club members Jan Dick, Kali Rasala, Mike Moorehead & Bob Gallowitch.

The Valparaiso Kiwanis Club has a long history of building ramps at the homes of Porter County residents whose mobility has become compromised. For many, these ramps are the difference between being homebound and having the ability to get out into the community for appointments, shopping or lunch with friends.

“This ramp is life-changing. I can now get in and out of the house safely, without the pain and fear that the steps create” said Emil Cripe. “We are so grateful.”

“Of the 47 ramps currently in place, 17 are at the homes of veterans,” said Kiwanis Club member Bob Westfall. “These ramps are high quality, very sturdy and reusable; when the individual no longer needs it, we disassemble it and store the components to be used again,” he added.

Funding for this ramp came from the George and Judith Urban Fund for Porter County Veterans at the Porter County Community Foundation. It was established in 2018 with a gift from the estate of Judith Urban.

“It was Mrs. Urban’s desire that her generosity be used to create an endowment fund that would exist forever to support programs and projects that benefit Porter County veterans,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “It is a tremendous honor for the Foundation to steward the Urbans’ legacy for the benefit of those in our community who have served in the military,” he added.

4th Street Theater receives grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a $4,000 grant to 4th Street Theater to purchase surge protection for their building.

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The Porter County Community Foundation awards a Community Fund Grant to 4th Street Theater. (Pictured left to right: David Pifko, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Denise Barkow, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Kent Mishler, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; and Linda Pauli, 4th Street Theater Board Member.)

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Twenty years ago, 4th Street Theater opened with only eight theater lights as well as a makeshift light board. “Over the years, the Porter County Community Foundation has awarded grants that have brought us into the 21st century,” said Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member. “This most recent grant gives us the surge/electrical equipment to protect our very expensive lighting and sound equipment as well as all other electrical devices in the theater."

“The arts are an integral part of our community,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “We appreciate the commitment of all those involved in 4th Street Theater to bring high-quality community theatre to Duneland.”

4th Street Theater was originally founded in 1990 as the North Coast Cultural Association. This all-volunteer nonprofit organization produces award-winning theater productions in Northwest Indiana for our community to enjoy.

HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE TAKING A STROLL AROUND THE BLOCK

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Hilltop Neighborhood House. The funds helped purchase three Gaggle Buggie Strollers for the childcare facility.

Kids from the KR3 Classroom at Hilltop Neighborhood House try out one of the new Gaggle Buggie strollers which were purchased thanks to a grant from the Porter County Community Foundation..

“The Gaggle Buggies have been on our wish list for a while,” said Amy Osburn, Vice President & Director at Hilltop Neighborhood House. “The grant allowed us to purchase the strollers which provides a safe, unique way for our kids and teachers to get some fresh air and see the world from a new perspective.”

These special strollers allow the children and staff to safely take walks together and, with tiered seating, everyone has a good view. The buggies are easy to push, have a safe braking system, and allow for up to 6 children to ride together on one stroller. They are equipped with safety harnesses and have sunroofs for UV protection. The seats can be converted to accommodate carriers so the younger infants can go for a ride too.

“Community Fund grants are all about our neighbors helping the community they live in,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “When you donate to the Community Fund, you make grants – and smiles - like this possible.”

The Porter County Community Foundation was founded in 1996 and since then has awarded over $34 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in our community. If you would like to make a difference in Porter County through the Community Fund, click here.  

Over $300,000 Awarded to Nonprofits In Porter County In 2019

This year, the Porter County Community Foundation awarded over $339,000 in grants from its Community Fund to nonprofit organizations serving Porter County.

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True North Training Stables in Chesterton received a grant for new outdoor stalls for their horses.

Grants from the Community Fund support a wide range of programs and projects in the areas of health and human services, arts and culture, education, youth, environment and parks, and animal welfare.

“Starting at the launch of the Foundation in 1996, the Community Fund continues to grow thanks to the generosity of countless donors who love where they live and want to make a gift that will last and benefit our community forever,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “The Community Fund is a valuable resource that provides the flexibility to address needs and opportunities as they change over time.”

Pines Village Retirement Communities received a grant to provide meals to seniors in Valparaiso.

Organizations that received a Community Fund grant in 2019 are:

• Art Barn School of Art for a new roof;

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County to repair the South Haven Club parking lot;

• Call-A-Ride for fuel to transport clients;

• Dressed for School for the renovation of their “store”;

• Duneland Family YMCA for professional development and accreditation for their new early education program;

• Dunes Learning Center for new computers for their education team;

• Exceptional Equestrians for well equipment replacement;

• Family House for renovations for client safety and security;

• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for their Mobile Marketplace;

• Gabriel’s Horn for a new van;

• Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana for their team to attend the national summit;

• Hilltop Neighborhood House for Gaggle Buggy strollers;

• Housing Opportunities for wi-fi at the shelter;

• Independent Cat Society for the trap, neuter and return program;

• Intrepid Phoenix for a recovery exercise program in Porter County;

• Jacob’s Ladder for computers and tablets;

• NeighborLink Porter County for HVAC equipment;

• Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities for a technology upgrade;

• Opportunity Enterprises for a new generator at their apartments;

• Our Greater Good for the Growing Great Kids Development guide to be printed in Spanish;

• Pines Village Retirement Communities for their senior congregate nutrition program;

• Pink Ribbon Society for wigs for breast cancer patients;

• Portage Township Live Entertainment Association for student music workshops;

• Portage Township YMCA for middle school program activities and meals;

• Porter County PACT for Recovery Connection program activities;

• Porter-Starke Services for the expansion of their recovery center;

• Rebuilding Together-Duneland for the 2019 Rebuilding Day;

• Salvation Army for their food pantry;

• St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center for the remodeling of their bathroom;

• True North Training Stables for new outdoor sheds;

• Valparaiso Family YMCA for blood pressure cuffs; and

• VNA of Northwest Indiana for their strategic planning process.

Since 1996, the Porter County Community Fund has awarded grants to more than 175 different nonprofit organizations. If you would like to contribute to the Community Fund or start your own named fund for the community, please contact the Foundation at 219.465.0294.  

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The Pink Ribbon Society received a grant to help provide wigs to breast cancer patients in Porter County.

Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities in Portage received a grant for upgrades to their Career Pathways Program technology.

The Porter County Community Foundation Awards Grant To Rebuilding Together Duneland

Rebuilding Together Duneland was awarded a 2019 Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation for their 2019 Rebuilding Day.

The funds were used to support the important work that the Rebuilding Together team of volunteers completes every year including various home & community improvement projects for financially-burdened individuals and families.    

This year in particular, Rebuilding Together Duneland saw an increase in applications from people in need of services. Multiple families received help including the Lenburg’s, a family of four with a son with special needs.  The volunteers were able to add a stair railing, fix the garage steps, clean up the landscaping and rebuild the back deck at the Lenburg home.

“We were so honored to have the Lenburg’s home as one of our site projects this year,” said Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteer Jim Thorstad. “Even with the rain and snow, our crew worked extremely hard to help finish the tasks at hand. It’s more than just a railing or fixing steps, its peace of mind for these parents knowing that their house is as safe as it can be for their son. It’s more than just landscaping and a deck, it’s about spending more time together as a family and less time worrying about the yard work that needs to be done. That is what really matters.”

The Lenburg family along with Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteers on their new deck. (left to right) Jim Thorstad (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer), Desila Rosetti (Porter County Community Foundation Board Member), Patty, Jim, Dylan & Hannah Lenburg, and Cliff Zosso (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer).

Duneland Family YMCA Grant

The Duneland Family YMCA was the recipient of a community fund grant from the Porter County Community Foundation.

The funds awarded helped equip the Duneland Family YMCA’s Early Learning Academy 5 year old classroom. The items purchased included new furniture creating a comfortable and safe learning environment, interactive play sets like a dress-up unit to inspire creativity & spark the imagination, along with other supplies that focus on using small and large motor skills.

The new classroom materials were specifically selected to follow the Paths to Quality system standards, which is Indiana’s state-wide child care quality rating and improvement system. The goal of the Early Learning Academy program is to engage kids, from six-weeks old to pre-school, in daily age-appropriate learning and development activities, helping to ensure they will be ready for kindergarten.

Neighborlink Awarded Grant

The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded a grant to NeighborLink Porter County, an organization that provides assistance to those in need.

NeighborLink is a nonprofit that connects Porter County residents who need assistance with those that can help.  Volunteers join together to complete various projects for those in need in the community.  

“Keeping the marginalized in Porter County safe, clean, warm and dry through our network of volunteers and business partnerships is one of our top priorities,” said Judy Alders, Executive Director of NeighborLink Porter County.  “The award of grant funds will allow us to be more far-reaching in our efforts to help those in need living in our communities. We so appreciate our relationship with the Porter County Community Foundation and all of those who give so graciously to their endeavors.” 

The funds from the grant will help cover expenses to be sure the necessary projects can be completed.  The types of projects might include yard work, transportation services, appliance repair, building wheelchair ramps, plumbing projects and more.  You can find out more about NeighborLink Porter County by visiting their website www.neighborlinkpc.org.    

Porter County Community Foundation Awards Grant to Family House

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Family House, Inc. – an organization that provides a safe home-like environment for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children.

This funding will help Family House expand their services, further strengthening our community by supporting the development of strong families. “Family House provides sliding scale support for Supervised Visitation and Counseling for Children and Families that otherwise can't afford such services,” said Christine Kostbade, Executive Director of Family House. “Many families give up or don't follow through because they can't afford to pay for services.  We don't want to see children left without a safe opportunity to see their parent and a chance for the parent(s) to improve their skills, with hopes to get their children home again.” Family House provides over 3000 visit hours annually to children and parents in our community. 

Two Portage Nonprofits Receive Grant From Porter County Community Foundation

The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded two Community Fund grants to Portage nonprofits, Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities and the Portage Township YMCA.

Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities used the funds to purchase computers, “smart boards” and other equipment to outfit their classrooms and help launch their college and workplace readiness program. This program includes onsite training opportunities for students as well as certification programs for those continuing their education or entering the workplace.   

With their grant funding, the Portage Township YMCA was able to start an after school drug prevention program for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The Portage Township YMCA wishes to help combat the issue of substance abuse by providing a safe place for kids to go after school while being educated on the real dangers of drug use through an evidence-based drug prevention curriculum.

Grants Awarded to Two Nonprofit Organizations Benefiting Wildlife and the Arts

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded two grants, one to the Art Barn School of Art and the other to Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – a subsidiary of the Humane Society Calumet Area. 

With the funds, the Art Barn School of Art was able to host adult art workshops for community members to attend.  The funds provided the art supplies for the classes, scholarships for local artists to attend the classes, and brought in nationally known professional artists to teach the workshops.

Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center used the funds to host Wildlife Live Animal Education Programs for children and Porter County residents of all ages. Through these programs with hands-on educational opportunities, community members learn about Indiana’s native wildlife and gain an understanding of the impact that our daily lives have on our native species.

Three Hebron Nonprofits Each Received Grant from Porter County Community Foundation

Recently, the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Rebuilding Together Hebron and Call-A-Ride each received a Community Fund grant from the Porter County Community Foundation.

The funding allowed the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a Paratech Rescue Airbag system, designed to extricate victims who are trapped, and also purchase a Stearns Ice Rescue Suit which protects the first-responder during icy conditions and water rescues.  Rebuilding Together Hebron used the funds to purchase building materials for local project homes, and Call-A-Ride used the funds for fuel costs to continue the expansion of their free services to clients.

Reins of Life Awarded Community Fund Grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Reins of Life, a therapeutic horseback riding center, in Michigan City. This nonprofit organization serves clients of all ages with physical, emotional, mental and social disabilities, many of whom travel from Porter County to participate in their programs.

The funding allowed them to insulate the ceiling in the main arena, install insulated light covers and eliminate a gap between the walls and the ceiling.  These improvements will increase the energy efficiency and comfort level in the riding arena, allowing the Reins of Life team to expand opportunities for equine assisted therapeutic riding sessions.   

Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department Purchases Four Computers with Grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation. The grant funding allowed them to purchase four Panasonic Toughbook Computers.

The new electronics will be securely placed in each of the department’s trucks, enhancing communication with the dispatch center and surrounding agencies.

These computers are capable of adapting to enhancements in the County’s 9-1-1 dispatch system and will help the fire department fulfill its mission to protect life, property and the environment.

Center of Workforce Innovations Receives Grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Porter County Community Foundation selected the Center of Workforce Innovations to receive a Community Fund Grant to support the Women’s Adult Learning and High School Equivalency (HSE) Program at the Porter County Jail.

In 2014, the Center of Workforce Innovations started a small adult education program in the jail which has since assisted over 145 students. As the women’s interest in the program grew stronger, the Center of Workforce Innovations, along with the Porter County Sherriff’s Department and Sheriff David Reynolds, saw the need for the program to expand. The funds will help fund instruction costs and the HSE (formerly GED) test fees for the female students.

The Center of Workforce Innovations is a catalyst for community and business investment in workforce, education, and economic development to build and enhance collective capacity to succeed in a new global economy.

Porter County Community Foundation Presents Grant to Shirley Heinze Land Trust

Shirley Heinze Land Trust was selected to receive a Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation to help purchase a much-needed snow plow.   

"Support from the Porter County Community Foundation for the new snow plow is yet another way the Foundation is so integral to the success of our work," said Kris Krouse, Executive Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. "This equipment will help us maintain year-round access to Meadowbrook Conservation Center and Nature Preserve and to Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserves throughout the region."

Currently the staff has been using a small ATV and hand shovels to clear snow. With this new plow the team can not only clear the main parking areas more efficiently, but also roads that lead to trails for winter hikers and cross-country skiers.

Shirley Heinze Land Trust is comprised of volunteers, donors, professionals, business and industry, working together to preserve, protect and restore significant natural areas in Northwest Indiana. Their mission is to educate, inspire and invite the public to experience the natural wonders of our unique region.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County Receives Grant from Porter County Community Foundation

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County recently received a grant from the Porter County Community Foundation’s Community Fund. The organization has used the funds to partner with the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, to assess the current programs offered at all four of the Club locations.

The assessment will focus on measuring and evaluating the quality of the current youth programs as well as identify staff-training needs to better strengthen the club operations and club experience.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is to inspire and enable the youth of our communities to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The organization serves youth ages 5 to 18 years throughout all of Porter County.

: Porter County Community Foundation Presents Grants to Porter County Nonprofits

The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded grants from its Community Fund to several nonprofit organizations. Grantees are selected through a competitive application process open to 501(c)(3) agencies serving Porter County.

The Family & Youth Services Bureau was awarded a grant that provided the necessary funds to have a new roof installed on their downtown Valparaiso building.  

The Independent Cat Society is a non-profit, cage-less, no-kill cat shelter that has promoted the welfare of all animals, especially cats, since 1976. In conjunction with the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) Community Cat Clinic and local Porter County Veterinarians, the funds from the grant will help spay or neuter 100 cats or dogs in our community.  

Porter County Association for Handicapped Children and Adults received funds to help make a difference and improve their clients’ daily lives.  With the funds, this organization can purchase custom devices necessary for individual clients that Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance won’t cover. This equipment will help children and adults enjoy everyday activities with their families in a more inclusive manner.

Porter-Starke used the funds to support their InSHAPE program that is designed to improve the physical health and wellness of people with mental illness. Participants met weekly, developed individual fitness plans, exercised, and learned about nutrition & healthy eating.  The YMCA partnered with Porter-Starke to help make this nationally-recognized program possible here in Porter County.

Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation received funds to bring a real-life storytelling event to Northwest Indiana’s Memorial Opera House, which was selected as the host site for all of Chicagoland. The performance, “This is My Brave”, is part of a national campaign to raise awarness of mental health issues.  

The Knights of Columbus’ Bike Project - founded by Mark Siminiski - received funds to purchase parts that will help repair donated bikes. These bikes are restored and then given away through various organizations to kids who may have only dreamed of having their own bike.    

The Portage Resale shop needed new furnaces for their building, which still had its original systems from the 1960’s.  With the community fund grant, the new heating system is in place allowing the organization to heat the building more efficiently and expand their work into areas of the building that were previously unusable.

The Kouts Volunteer Fire Department received a Community Fund Grant to purchase eight new nozzles for this all-volunteer fire department. Replacing this critical equipment will enhance delivery of water in an emergency situation and creates uniformity of the nozzles on all five trucks.  The grant also enabled them to purchase a hose washer and two adapter valves.

The flooring in the activity & dining room of St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center was original to the building and had cracked and lifted after 19 years of wear and tear, resulting in a safety hazard for their clients and visitors. The new flooring is a non-slip surface that is level, and was purposefully chosen in a neutral color, allowing all participants to feel comfortable when entering the room.