The Impact Porter County Women’s Fund awarded over $50,000 in grants on Wednesday night to four local organizations. Impact Porter County - a women’s giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation - presented the 2016 grants at its annual membership dinner on June 8. The grants were awarded to Family House and Housing Opportunities, as well as Porter County PACT and Neighbors Educational Opportunities.
The votes this year to select the winners were the closest they have ever been. Family House and Housing Opportunities were each awarded a high-impact grant of $25,000. The other finalists, Porter County PACT and Neighbors Educational Opportunities, were each awarded a $2,500 grant. This giving circle aims to provide grants that make a long lasting impact on nonprofits in our community that focus on improving the quality of life for women and children.
Family House provides a safe home-like environment where non-custodial parents can spend time with their children under the supervision of compassionate staff members who guide parents in strengthening their relationships with their children. The funds from this grant will help Family House take their visitation and counseling programs to the next level. They will implement home based visits that provide additional opportunities for the child and parent to interact in an environment that is more real. Data indicates that with in-home supervisions, social workers have an increased capacity to assess the risk and safety while developing plans to allow children to be safely at home.
Housing Opportunities empowers families and individuals by providing housing solutions that are safe and affordable; they provide emergency, temporary, low-income and permanent supportive housing solutions for Porter County residents. This grant will help remodel a previously purchased building into 15 studio apartments for single women with priority given to those who are disabled, veterans or homeless.
Impact Porter County has now awarded more than $455,000 in Women’s Fund grants since its inception. To learn more about Impact or to view Women’s Fund impact stories, visit www.portercountyfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at 219-465-0294.