"Home is where the heart is..."- it's a common idiom, a comforting expression heard a thousand times moreover in our lifetimes. But what if you don't have a home? What if you are unable to provide a safe place for your family and loved ones?
Housing Opportunities of Northwest Indiana is a non-profit agency providing safe, affordable housing solutions to families in need. The program is known for assisting people as they transition from homelessness to home-have-ness, and continues to be recognized as a regional resource and model for programs that practice prevention, crisis intervention, and permanent housing.
In honor of United Way of Northwest Indiana's Day of Caring, Housing Opportunities, along with volunteers from local organization REGIONAL Federal Credit Union, took to spackling and painting as they readied a Valparaiso apartment for its new family. Volunteers from the credit union and members of Housing Opportunities spent morning and afternoon working to make the designated space livable and comfortable for its incoming residents.
Said Kathleen McClure, community liaison for Housing Opportunities, "[Today] is such a great opportunity for businesses in our community to get out of their offices and come and help non-profits. We've had an apartment painted and we have several people doing landscaping and weeding as they help to beautify our properties. It's been a great day and we are so thankful to the United Way and their support of us and other non-profits in the area. We are also grateful that so many people have come out to volunteer."
Deb Hannon, an employee of REGIONAL Federal Credit Union, is fond of the volunteer opportunities that the credit union provides and was more than happy to be a part of United Way's Day of Caring.
Hannon said, "I like to do things for the community and at my job I get the chance to take part in so many different events and volunteer activities. It's nice to be able to do things with my colleagues, outside of the workplace. Today, I even got to do a little bit of something I love, painting! It felt as if the day was a tremendous success. Housing Opportunities is definitely doing good things and I'm looking forward to participating in other volunteer activities of theirs in the future."
REGIONAL Federal Credit Union and Housing Opportunities weren't the only local organizations partaking in United Way's Day of Caring. Numerous other groups in Porter County and other parts of NWI volunteered their time to help others in need. While Day of Caring is an annual event celebrating volunteerism in the Northwest Indiana region, it's important to remember that there are always opportunities to make a positive impact on those around you. It could be as simple as a smile and a wave, or helping a neighbor with their groceries - positivity is contagious!
For more information on United Way's Day of Caring as well as volunteer opportunities in your area, please visit the organization's homepage: www.unitedwaypc.org
For more information regarding Housing Opportunities, their services, ways to donate, and upcoming events including their FAWN, September 4th Style Show and dinner, please visit www.housing-opportunities.com
Sponsors of United Way's Day of Caring 2014, included:
The Times Media Co. BP Vale Park Animal Hospital Porter Regional Hospital Kramer / Leonard NIPSCO Luke Oil First Midwest Bank Porter County Community Foundation