United Way Northwest Indiana

10/22/2026

🎃 Halloween is a time for treats, traditions, and fun. But for some of our neighbors across Northwest Indiana, the extra costs of candy, costumes, and classroom parties can add pressure to an already tight budget.

Nearly 40% of households in Northwest Indiana are ALICE or living in poverty, meaning they struggle to afford the basics, even when working hard and earning a paycheck. That includes families with children, as well as the people who keep our communities running every day. https://www.unitedwaynwi.org/alice

This Halloween, we're sharing simple ways to help make the holiday a little sweeter for everyone. From sharing extra candy to helping a neighbor, small acts of generosity can help more families feel included in the fun.

Want to support ALICE families beyond Halloween? Visit www.unitedwaynwi.org to learn how you can get involved and stand alongside our neighbors all year long. Because United Is the Way to build stronger families and stronger communities.

10/22/2026

National Estate Planning Week | October 19–25

Planning for the future is one way to care for the people and causes that matter most to you. ❤️ During National Estate Planning Week, United Way Northwest Indiana encourages you to take a step toward protecting your wishes and planning for the future with a will.

Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can create your will online, at no cost, and on your own schedule. It’s a simple way to document your wishes, provide guidance for your loved ones, and consider the legacy you want to leave behind.

Get started today: https://www.freewill.com/

10/21/2026

BEFORE THE NEXT STORM, TAKE A MOMENT TO PREPARE.💙

As our Northwest Indiana communities continue to recover from this summer’s storms, we’re reminded how quickly severe weather can disrupt daily life. While we can’t predict every emergency, there are steps we can take now to help protect our families, homes, and businesses.

👉 A little preparation today can make a difference when severe weather strikes. A few ways to get started:

Make a plan. Know where your family will go, how you’ll communicate, and where to meet if you become separated.

Build an emergency kit. Gather water, nonperishable food, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, medications, and important documents.

Protect your property. Review ways to secure your home or business against high winds, flooding, and other weather-related damage.

Stay informed. Know where to find local alerts, weather updates, and emergency information.

Plan for disruptions. Consider what you would need if the power went out, roads became impassable, or you couldn’t get to work, childcare, or essential services.

Preparedness looks different for every household, but taking even one step now is a good place to start.

United Is the Way to Prepare.

Explore disaster preparedness resources at: https://www.unitedwaynwi.org/preparedness-tips and www.unitedway.org/prepare

10/20/2026

Deadline approaching❗️
FEMA is accepting applications through October 25th, 2026 for assistance related to the August 11th storms.
Click below to learn more and submit your application.
🔗

DHS Home The August 2026 Severe Weather Disaster Visit the Information Hub Disaster assistance Hoosier Responder magazine EMS grants Acadis Portal Public Safety Portal IDHS Services Gateway PSID Info Apps, Forms, Permits Building Safety Building plan review Filing status Plan review process File an....

10/19/2026

💙THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

During Day of Caring, volunteers came together to create messages of hope and prepare essential-care packages for domestic violence survivors and shelter workers throughout Northwest Indiana.

Thank you for giving your time, sharing your compassion, and showing what it means to care for our neighbors.

United Is the Way to Make a Difference.

Volunteering doesn't stop at Day of Caring. Find your next opportunity to serve at www.unitedwaynwi.org/volunteer.

10/16/2026

October is National Estate Planning Month

Planning for the future is about more than writing a will. It’s about making decisions today that help protect your wishes, provide guidance for your loved ones, and give you greater peace of mind.

Estate planning can include creating a will, designating beneficiaries, establishing powers of attorney for financial and health care decisions, and outlining your wishes for future medical care. These steps can help ensure the people you trust understand your preferences and are better prepared to make important decisions if needed.

Through our partnership with FreeWill, United Way Northwest Indiana offers a free, online tool to help you create a will and take an important step toward planning for the future.

You don’t have to figure everything out at once.

Get started today:
FreeWill: https://www.freewill.com/
Planning your Legacy: https://www.unitedwaynwi.org/planned-giving

10/15/2026

🎉 Announcing our 2026 Community Impact Grant recipients!

United Way Northwest Indiana is proud to partner with 12 organizations working to create stronger families and stronger communities across our five-county region.

Through $759,500 in Community Impact Grants, we're supporting programs that expand opportunities for youth, strengthen access to food and essential resources, promote healthy communities, and help individuals and families build financial security.

Meet this year's recipients and their funded programs:

💙 Youth Opportunity
Appleseed Childhood Education | Paths to Quality 4
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana | Scholarship Programming
Building Blocks Childcare | Building Strong Futures
The Growing Patch Learning Center | Equipment and Supplies for New School Year

💚 Financial Security
Center of Workforce Innovations | Fast Track to Top Jobs Bootcamp

❤️ Healthy Community
Community Help Network | Buddy Bags Program
Community Services of Northwest Indiana | Summer Lunch Sack Program
Crossroads YMCA | ALICE Family Access Subsidy Program
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana | Regional Food Access and Agency Support Initiative
Hilltop Neighborhood House | Emergency Food Access and Navigation Liaison Network
Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana | Feeding Families Program
NWI No Child Hungry | Buddy Program

These grants represent more than an investment in programs. They're an investment in the organizations working alongside our neighbors every day to help people access opportunities, meet essential needs, and build a stronger future.

Thank you to the donors and community partners who make this investment possible, and congratulations to all 12 recipients!

United is the Way to build stronger families and stronger communities. 💙

10/15/2026

Were you affected by the August storms? Visit one of these locations for in-person assistance. 👇

Attached is an updated list of events in Lake, LaPorte, and Porter Counties where FEMA Hazard Mitigation/Insurance, FEMA IA, and SBA will conduct outreach and provide in-person-assistance. Please feel free to forward to any interested parties.

FEMA’s HM team will provide information on “Building Back Better, Safer, Stronger” and FEMA IA Specialists will be available to assist survivors needing additional IA assistance related to the August storm.

Updates to this list will be provided as new events are added ahead of the 10/25/26 IA application deadline!

10/14/2026

📍 Find a Safe Place location near you or learn more about the program at https://www.nationalsafeplace.org.

❤ Help spread the word! Share Safe Place locations with your friends, family, and network so someone who needs support knows where to turn.

Every young person deserves a safe place to turn when they need help.

Safe Place provides immediate access to safety and support for youth facing challenges such as family conflict, homelessness, abuse, neglect, or other crises. Look for the yellow and black Safe Place sign at participating locations in your community.

When a young person reaches out, they don't have to face their situation alone.

📍 Find a Safe Place location near you or learn more about the program at https://www.nationalsafeplace.org.

10/13/2026

More Volunteers Needed! 👇

Help make MAACtoberfest happen!

We’re looking for volunteers to bring the fun to MAACtoberfest on October 17–18! Join us at the MAAC Foundation in Valparaiso for a weekend of community spirit and family-friendly fun supporting first responders.

Whether you sign up with a friend or come ready to meet new people, we’d love to have you on our volunteer crew!

Explore available shifts and sign up here:
https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/ #/join-party?k=yl1fgby6rf1op3

Help us spread the word by sharing this post or tagging someone who would love to lend a hand!