There have been a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and communities that have been giving back to others and making the Region the best place it can be.
Northern Indiana continues to grow and prosper due to the determination and relentless impact community members are making throughout the year. Those sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and we love shining a spotlight on those that go the extra mile to make the community a more positive place.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 community articles on Valpo.Life to recap the good news in 2024!
City of Valparaiso hosts Paralympic Gold-Medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo for Author Reading and Wheelchair Basketball Demonstration at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
On Saturday, March 16, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo came to Thomas Jefferson Middle School to read from her book Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes for the assembled crowd. She followed the reading with a demonstration of how to use a basketball wheelchair. Residents from across Valparaiso filled the bleachers of Thomas Jefferson Middle School’s gym to participate in the free event. This event was hosted by the City of Valparaiso as part of their initiative to recognize March as Disability Awareness Month.
Valpo Parks hit a home run with the Challenger League
With the early days of spring upon us, it’s the return of baseball season once again. The Valparaiso Parks Department is excited for this as it gets to bring back its Challenger Baseball League.
The program serves as a way to teach kids about not only the game of baseball but also builds upon other skills that could help them down the line. Kevin Nuppnau, director at Valpo Parks, notes this program creates a fun opportunity for children who have disabilities.
Volunteers Make Best Days Possible for 600 people a day at VNA Hospice NWI
VNA Hospice NWI serves over 600 people a day. From Hospice and Palliative Care, Grief Support services for adults and children to the Medical Guardian help button and a Meals on Wheels program, the impact of VNA services around the region is tremendous.
The VNA staff work tirelessly to ensure these essential services are available each day – but they can’t do it alone. Their team relies on an army of volunteers, who do everything from stuffing envelopes and labeling meal bags, to working directly with hospice patients and bereaved children, and delivering the meals. Maria Galka, Director of Development for VNA Hospice, said that the organization’s volunteers outnumber its staff by about five to one.
Mike Avery shares the power of intentional teams through Center Circle Influencers following #oneVALPO initiative
Having been part of a soccer team for 51 years, jumping straight from playing to coaching, Mike Avery is no stranger to working closely with teams. Avery is currently the head coach for Fort Wayne Football Club (FC), previously coached Valparaiso University’s men's soccer team, and often finds himself as the guy in charge in different areas of his life. After having numerous leadership roles placed on his shoulders over the years, Avery has come to learn about the power of intentional teams and how to steer teams closer together. Equipped with this knowledge, Avery has sought ways to share his expertise, giving speeches to people, organizations, and businesses that seek to build stronger teams.
Midwest Center for Youth & Families drives initiative for Patriot Support Program
On Thursday afternoon, the Midwest Center for Youth & Families hosted its Patriot Support Program Celebration. People from all over the Region gathered to commemorate the value of this special day.
Midwest Center for Youth & Families has been providing full immersion residential dialectical behavior therapy for youth since 1996. With over 25 years of experience treating youth who struggle with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, the Midwest Center for Youth & Families has made it their mission to provide high-quality care to patients from across the country.
Ivy Tech Graduate James Alger named recipient of nationwide Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship
Big things are in store for 2024 Ivy Tech Community College Graduate James Alger, who was recently announced as a recipient of the nationwide Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship Program. As a recipient, Alger will have the next two years of his education paid for by the DoD as he attends Purdue University Northwest (PNW) in Hammond for his bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity followed by two years of working for Naval Surface Warfare Center (Crane Division) in Crane, Indiana, allowing him to further explore his passion for the field like never before.
The DoD Cyber Scholarship Program is a highly competitive and sought-out program for students nationwide – Alger was one of 85 chosen this year out of over 550 applicants. To be able to say he’s one of that select group is a huge honor, and he is beyond excited for what’s to come as he furthers his education and gains monumental career experience in the years ahead.
Valparaiso Police Department connects with community during 2024’s National Night Out
The City of Valparaiso joined in the fun Tuesday night as cities across the country celebrated National Night Out, an event helping to build safer, more connected communities. The Valparaiso Police Department traveled to several Valpo neighborhoods to bond with the community it serves as well as take part in all the fun activities going on.
National Night Out is a nationwide event bridging the gap between law enforcement officers and the people they serve by encouraging community members to host events like block parties and cookouts, which are then attended by the city’s officers. This helps build neighborhood camaraderie while also making a statement about how safe the community feels.
1st Source Foundation and 1st Source Bank work together to create a better community for all
1st Source Foundation, in collaboration with 1st Source Bank, supports projects and organizations making a significant impact on the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the communities they serve. With a focus on social welfare, education, the arts, and development, 1st Source Foundation makes sure its impact is as wide as possible by partnering with established private and public entities already making a difference.
1st Source Bank was founded with community leadership as a core value, along with teamwork, integrity, superior quality, and outstanding client service. In 2023, 1st Source employees logged approximately 14,300 volunteer hours through its VolunteerMatch program, supporting organizations such as United Way of Northwest Indiana, TradeWinds Services, and Meals on Wheels.
Porter County Community Foundation supports Porter County ‘for generations to come’
Every day, people across Porter County depend on dozens of nonprofit organizations. They keep people fed, sheltered, educated, employed, and much more. Budgets are often tight for these essential organizations, and they depend on the support of generous community members to continue providing and expanding their services.
The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) is our county’s community foundation dedicated to partnering with individuals and organizations that would like to offer support to nonprofit organizations that matter to them and to provide leadership to our community. Founded in 1996, PCCF uses the power of endowment funds to help generous, philanthropic individuals turn an initial gift into a perpetually expanding well of support for organizations and causes the donor cares about.
Local Valparaiso business owners take underprivileged children fishing on 25th annual “Take-A-Kid-Fishing” trip
For 25 years, two kind-hearted business owners from Portage have spread warmth and joy to underprivileged children with an annual “Take-A-Kid-Fishing” trip. Larry McAfee, a retired veterinarian from McAfee Animal Hospital, and Mike Blythe, president of Blythe’s Team Sports, have been friends for many years. They share an affinity for bringing fishing to kids who have never had the opportunity to fish. The unforgettable memories unfolded this year on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
