Spring Valley Shelter Reopens

Collaborative effort helps Housing Opportunity takes the helm

On Tuesday, a homeless family of four found comfort, warmth and security in time for the holidays as the first of several families to be housed at the reopened Spring Valley Shelter in Valparaiso. As the key turned in the door, so did a new chapter for Spring Valley.

Housing Opportunities and Christian Community Action have reached an agreement to transfer the shelter to Housing Opportunities. Community supporters, nonprofit leaders and board members gathered at the shelter Wednesday to announce and celebrate the reopening of Spring Valley.

I am thrilled that we are all gathered here this morning to celebrate the reopening of the Spring Valley Shelter,” said Barb Young, president of the Porter County Community Foundation. “It is a celebration, however, of much more. This is a celebration of what can happen when so many individuals and organizations come together and work together to address a problem.

The reopening is a tribute to the collaborative effort of many local organizations. The purchase agreement came about as a result of an ongoing dialogue between Christian Community Action and Housing Opportunities and conversations with the Porter County Community Foundation, Porter-Starke Services and United Way of Porter County.

We are proud of the work that all of the organizations and individual supporters have done to bring us to this point,” said Young. “The reopening of Spring Valley Shelter marks a renewed focus on addressing the growing need for housing services in Porter County.”

The Porter County Community Foundation is proud to join with all of our community partners in the shared mission- providing everyone with a place to call home and the support services they need to reach self-sufficiency,” added Young.

The purchase of Spring Valley allows Housing Opportunities to expand its temporary and transitional housing program. The first phase of the shelter reopening will make 12 of the 28 apartment units available for immediate occupancy.

Since the closing of Spring Valley in September by Christian Community Action, Housing Opportunities has worked to care for the vacant property as well as to prepare the 28 apartments for housing needy families once again. “Housing Opportunities began accepting applications earlier this month for temporary housing at Spring Valley in anticipation of the reopening,” said Caroline Shook. “So far, 12 of the apartments are ready for use and will be filled as soon as possible.”

In addition to providing safe secure housing, Housing Opportunities supports the residents with a food pantry, education programs and case management. “We are looking to the community to help us provide and expand a continuum of services for the homeless,” said Shook. “Our goal is to raise enough money annually to fund our temporary housing program at Spring Valley.” As part of the reopening celebration, Young announced that generous contributions recently committed by Harris Bank, Horizon Bank, NIPSCO and an anonymous donor will certainly benefit their efforts at Spring Valley.

Checks were presented at today’s conference, as part of an effort to offset not only the reconstruction fees, but the costs of maintaining the 12 units every year, a cost of approximately $200,000 a year. Harris Bank contributed $15,000, Horizon Bank, $2,500, NIPSCO, $2,500, the anonymous donor, $10,000, and Don Quijote Restaurante, $19,000 from a banquet fundraiser recently held at their restaurant.

We’re so excited about this,” stated Tim Rice, Chairman of the Board for Housing Opportunities, “I couldn’t think of a better time…in getting the shelter back open. We appreciate all of the support.

To help support housing services throughout Porter County, monetary donations may be sent to Housing Opportunities, 954 Eastport Centre Drive, Suite A, Valparaiso, IN 46383. For more information, contact HO at 219.548.2800.

Photos:

  • Barb Young, President, Porter County Community Foundation, addresses the crowd about the reopening of Spring Valley Shelter
  • Dave Mika, Harris Bank, presents a check for $15,000 to Caroline Shook, Housing Opportunities, and Tim Rice, Chairman of the Board for Housing Opportunities
  • Dave Rose, Horizon Bank, presents a check for $2,500 to Caroline Shook and Tim Rice
  • Carlos Rivero, Don Quijote Restaurante, annouces a donation of $19,000 to Housing Opportunities