More than $50,000 in grants from the Women’s Fund of Porter County were awarded Wednesday night to three local organizations. Impact Porter County, the women’s giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation, presented the 2015 grants at its annual membership dinner on June 10 to Hilltop Neighborhood House, Dayspring Women’s Center, and the Duneland Family YMCA.
“Once again the women of Porter County have made it possible for us to help women and children in our own community,” said Kathleen Walsh, Impact Porter County Grant Committee Chair. “The ongoing support of the Women’s Fund provides a helping hand to families throughout Porter County.” Hilltop Neighborhood House and Dayspring Women’s Center were each awarded a high-impact grant of $25,000. As a finalist, the Duneland Family YMCA was awarded a $5,000 unrestricted grant.
“The Women’s Fund grant means a lot to Hilltop and the children we serve,” said Amy Osburn, Hilltop Neighborhood House Director of Childcare. “This investment in our programing gives us more to build upon for their education.” The funds will help Hilltop implement an accredited assessment program as part of its Kindergarten Readiness Program. The program measures skills from infancy to kindergarten and provides valuable feedback that ensures the education program is successful and aligns with state standards.
“I see how many more lives we can touch because of this grant,” said Aly Kasper, Dayspring Women’s Center Program Manager. Dayspring provides a safe haven for women struggling with homelessness by providing support on their journey towards stability and wholeness. The grant funds will be used for the training and coordination of volunteers and allow the organization to increase the hours of professional staff time to provide group and individual counseling services.
Impact Porter County has now awarded more than $400,000 in Women’s Fund grants since its inception. This women’s giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation makes a lasting impact by awarding significant grants that improve the quality of life for women and children in Porter County. To learn more about Impact or to view Women’s Fund impact stories, visit online at www.portercountyfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at 219-465-0294.
