NiSource has awarded United Way of Northwest Indiana with a check for $25,000 to help make a positive impact in the Northwest Indiana community.
“We are really, really thankful for the longstanding partnership that we have with NIPSCO and NiSource,” said United Way Senior Director of Development Kasie Tenbarge. “They're a very community-minded partner and always happy to help when we call.”
The check came about when Lake Area United Way and United Way of Porter County merged back in October of 2021.
Those at NIPSCO are also looking forward to seeing the impact of the new merger as well.
“I'm really excited about what the merger of the two organizations will do for area collaborations, organizations, and us working together,” said Alexius Barber, manager of public affairs and economic development for the Lake County market for NIPSCO. “That's what NIPSCO is all about. We support partnerships because we realize together we're stronger, together we make a greater impact. We're just really excited to be a part of it.”
Tenbarge said that the money given by NiSource will go toward United Way’s community programs, such as Level Up, a financial wellness program that began in 2019.
Denise Conlon, manager of public affairs and economic development for NIPSCO, has served on the board for United Way and has helped with the merger as well. She is exceptionally excited to see United Way grow and develop with the new merger in place, and is glad NIPSCO is there to lend a hand.
“I've been very proud to be affiliated with the organization in Lake and Porter counties, volunteering and serving on the board for several years,” Conlon said. “In my recent role, I was on the merger team, more specifically on the communications committee. I’m really excited to see the merger come to fruition, taking these two small but mighty teams and making them one big vibrant team with a positive outcome as a result. We’re happy to continue to support United Way as they move forward.”
Conlon said this check, along with the well-established partnership between the two organizations are great assets to expanding the ability for both companies to help around the Region.
“It looks robust,” Conlon said. “The more collaboration you have between teams, the more they're going to be able to accomplish across the entire region of Lake and Porter counties.”
United Way and NiSource have always had a passion for serving and helping others. Tenbarge explained that through this donation, they are able to do just that.
“It's a very bright outlook,” Tenbarge said. “We really want to uplift lives and help families become stable across Northwest Indiana. That's at the center of our motivation for everything that we do.”
Kris Taylor, United Way’s new Lake County development director, is also excited to help the community thrive with the help of NIPSCO and NiSource.
“As a Lake County resident, collaboration is really important to help residents thrive,” she said. “I'm one of those residents who look to United Way to lead and develop community solutions. It's really exciting that we have merged to be able to help the Region as a whole.”
“I'm thankful for partners, like NiSource and NIPSCO, who see our community commitment and want to be a part of the work we’re doing,” Tenbarge said.
For more information on United Way of Northwest Indiana, visit https://www.unitedwaynwi.org/.
