Jacinda Hinten is a registered nurse at Methodist Hospitals in the area and studied nursing at Purdue University Northwest. When Hinten is not working 12-hour shifts, she enjoys going thrift shopping, going on cruises, playing Pokémon GO, and helping other members of her community.
Hinten is also an administrator for the Facebook group “Porter County Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” Since the beginning of the page in March, the group has grown to a large level of popularity. The page currently hosts 6.7K members of the Porter County community. As an administrator, Hinten has multiple jobs that she does to keep the group up and running.
“My duties are to approve posts, new members, and other typical Facebook group administrator duties,” Hinten said. “On top of that, I take requests for help, make posts, and act as a middle man so those who are donating can connect with those who are in need. Sometimes I will pick up donations, but other times I have to leave it up to those making donations to get the needed items to the family who is requesting help.”
The page functions as a place for members of the community to ask for assistance, provide donations, request advice, and share general information that is relevant to the community.
“One of my closest friends, Barbara Blashill, started the page in March of this year right when the uncertainty of COVID-19 started,” Hinten said. “She saw a need for a resource to turn to in such uncertain times. She asked me to help her manage the page and I willingly joined in to help her.”
As an administrator, Hinten doesn’t just work to support the group virtually. She has also delivered groceries and supplies to people in need, especially at the beginning of COVID-19.
“My favorite stories from the group are just from the beginning of it when so much uncertainty existed, and it was hard to find certain items in the grocery store,” Hinten said. “Along with this, many of our members could not get to the grocery store, whether it be for lack of transportation or due to wanting to avoid being exposed to the virus. I enjoyed driving around delivering essential items to these families.”
Hinten manages messages and posts them anonymously to the page, for people who are not willing to personally ask for help. Many people have found ways to get help or help others through the Facebook group.
“I enjoy seeing how many local Porter County residents and families we can help,” Hinten said. “Even more so, I enjoy seeing how many people are willing to help strangers. I enjoy seeing people who themselves don't have much, but they say they can donate a little bit if it helps a family in need.”
Although many positive stories have come from the group, Hinten expressed that the positives have not come without negatives along the way. As with anything, unexpected challenges popped up as the group continued to grow.
“The most challenging part of being an administrator is trying to manage the requests,” Hinten said.” They can be time-consuming with trying to filter messages and connect those in need with those willing to donate. Along with that, we have had to ban members. We want to keep the group a positive place and when members are derogatory, discredit others' opinions, talk about politics, try to slam others, that will get them banned.”
Despite these challenges, the Facebook group has grown and flourished since it started in March. It is a great display of the fact that community members will come together to support one another in difficult times.