The public is encouraged to attend the second in a series of five Community Conversions hosted by United Way of LaPorte County and Unity Foundation. Residents may attend the Weds., June 18 meeting at the Blue Chip Stardust Lounge in Michigan City or the Fri., June 20 meeting at the Best Western in La Porte. Both sessions are scheduled from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and include a full breakfast at no charge to participants. Advance registration is required by June 13.
During the Michigan City meeting, United Way will honor Cornerstone Businesses for their employee workplace contributions in 2013. Those businesses include: Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa; Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad; Fiber Bond Corp.; Filter Specialists, Inc.; Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City; GAF Materials Corp.; Horizon Bank; IU Health La Porte Hospital; Lakeshore Foods Corp.; La Porte Savings Bank; Meijer; Michigan City Area Schools; NIPSCO; New York Blower; Purdue University North Central; ITW Red Head; Sullair; and United Parcel Service.
The Community Conversations in June will feature presentations of the La Porte County Needs Assessment Summary and preliminary results of Community Conversations to date. Attendees will break into small facilitated discussions on “Community Resources and Strengths.”
Kris Pate, executive director of United Way of LaPorte County, says input from Community Conversations meetings and on-line surveys will guide the United Way Board of Directors’ future funding process and inform other community funders, boards and service providers. United Way is gathering demographic information from participants to ensure the responses reflect a representative sample of the La Porte County population.
“This is our best effort to understand our community and find the sweet spot where United Way funding can make the most impact in areas of education, financial stability and health, Pate says. “We want to help bring about what our community aspires for itself.”
Those planning to attend a June Community Conversation should make a reservation by Friday, June 13. Reservations can be made by email at info@unitedwaylpc.org or by calling the United Way office at 219-210-3534. The meeting will be videotaped and available for later viewing on the ALCO-TV public access station and through the United Way website. Individuals who are unable to attend Community Conversations are encouraged to complete an on-line Community Conversations survey on “Aspirations, Challenges and Change” at www.unitedwaylpc.org.