News Release
First Things First Porter County (FTF) awarded a total of $240,000 to four community projects that will cultivate the prenatal – age three ecosystem in Porter County. These Collaboration Challenge Grants are awarded to teams of partnering organizations who propose an initiative that will increase, improve or enhance programming and/or services for Porter County infants, toddlers and their families.
- Portage Hub - $125,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (BGCGNWI) in partnership with CoAction, Mental Health America NWI, HealthLinc, Help Me Grow Porter County, Jacob's Ladder and Porter County CTE. The Portage Hub serves as a centralized resource and social networking center for families with young children. There, they have access to free services, build community, and connect with trusted social supports.
- Building MOMentum: Strengthening Maternal Support - $85,000 to Three20 Recovery in partnership with Franciscan Health, Nurse Family Partnership, Dunebrook, Duneland Family YMCA, NWI Food Council, and Help Me Grow Porter County. With this funding, Three20 will hire a second full-time maternal Peer Recovery Coach to connect pregnant and postpartum mothers with peer support and coordinating resources during a child's first 1,000 days of life.
- Go Baby Go: Adaptive Technology for Young Children with Disabilities - $20,000 to Valparaiso University in partnership with Kidworks and Jacob's Ladder. This grant supports GoBabyGo Valpo, a program that gives young Porter County children with disabilities the power to move, play, and connect through custom ride-on cars and adapted toys built by Valparaiso Students.
- Porter County Children's Museum Strategic Planning - $10,000 for the Porter County Children's Museum in partnership with Ivy Tech Valpo, Valparaiso University, Porter County Health Department, Porter County Public Library System, and Westchester Public Library. Funds will support the Porter County Children's Museum's strategic planning efforts; leading to further sustainability and efficiency for the organization.
This year’s funding builds upon three prior years of Collaboration Challenge Grants, a total of $615,178 awarded to more than 20 projects. Read more about prior granted initiatives at www.firstthingspc.org/blog/category/Collaboration+Challenge.
