The Impact Porter
County Women's Fund, a women's giving circle associated with the Porter
County Community Foundation, presented the 2016 grants, totaling over
$50,000, 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 the 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 improve and
expand their visitation and counseling programs. 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 awarded more than $455,000 in Women's Fund grants since its
inception.