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.

Annual Women’s Fund Grants Awarded at Impact Porter County Membership Dinner

Over $50,000 in grants was awarded on Wednesday evening by Impact Porter County - a women’s giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation.  The giving circle presented the 2017 grants on May 17th at their annual membership dinner at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton.

Impact Porter County members aim to make a positive and lasting influence in the community by awarding grants to Porter County nonprofits whose mission is to improve the quality of life for women and children.  Two high-impact grants of $25,000 each were awarded to Hannah’s Hope and the Portage Township YMCA.   The other finalists, Dunebrook Inc., Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary and Porter County PACT, were each awarded a $2,000 grant.

Hannah’s Hope is an organization that assists families who have children with special needs. Often times, special therapy and equipment is essential to meet a child’s physical, emotional and social needs but with the overwhelming amount of expenses families of children with special needs have, they are not always attainable.  Hannah’s Hope provides up to $500 per child per year to help these families purchase the necessary tools to help their child. The funds from this grant will continue their mission to “Help Hannah Help Others” throughout Porter County.

The Portage Township YMCA and the Portage Township School Corporation have partnered together to bring a Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program to low-income second and third grade students in Portage. This free, six week summer program will provide a safe, fun and educational environment for students to help prevent learning-loss that occurs during the summer months. In the first year, thirty-two children will be selected to participate in the program.  This program continues the Portage Township YMCA’s support of students and their educational, emotional and social growth progress.

Impact Porter County has now awarded over $500,000 in Women’s Fund grants since its inception.  To learn more about Impact or to view Women’s Fund impact stories, visit www.pccf.gives or contact the Foundation at 219-465-0294.