First Contact Porter County

03/12/2021

Greetings!!

Here’s an update concerning what has been going on at First Contact!

First, a BIG SHOUT OUT to ALL of our donors!! To the Porter County churches, individual donors, and our grantors who all collaborate with us to keep people in their homes with their utilities on: Our doors would not be open without you.
We value your hearts that move you to support First Contact in assisting Porter County residents who are financially challenged and trying to avoid homelessness. Thank you so much for collaborating with us to contribute to the stability of those households we serve. First Contact truly appreciates your giving. Thank you for choosing us and trusting us with your funds.

The state rent program and extended Energy Assistance has been a great resource for clients and lightened the financial load for First Contact throughout the heightened time of Covid. With that being the case, we are prepared to assist qualifying clients with upcoming evictions and Nipsco disconnects.

Because donations remained steady in 2020, First Contact was able to serve and assist approximately 600 Porter County families throughout the time of the pandemic. Although we refrained from seeing people in person, we kept communications going with the township trustees (mainly through email) and were able to screen our clients via phone. We continue to handle client cases by phone at this time, but are hopeful that we can start to meet face to face sometime this spring or summer.

In 2020, First Contact partnered with Holding On and we were able to put over 700 brand new toys in to the hands of parents who had no Christmas gifts for their children. Also, over the last couple of months First Contact and Holding On, collaborated with the Hope Center of Valparaiso and moved approximately 100 pair of brand new snow boots out to children in need.

So, in spite of the covid virus, we had a very full year!

In closing, we love serving our community and continue to use volunteers to do so. If we can serve you or anyone you know please do not hesitate to reach out. We are ever so grateful to God who raised up First Contact and has sustained us over the last 28 years.

Kind Regards and God Bless You!!!

02/07/2021

Good pay and you’ll be serving in an important community need ❣️

Help staff the Winter Shelter! We're hiring 6-10 people to fill part-time, temporary, overnight positions from February-March 2021. Team members will monitor shelter overnight, help serve meals, hand out bedding, and clean up in the morning. To apply or ask questions, call 219.548.2800 and ask for Jordan regarding "Winter Shelter employment." Or, email Jordan directly at [email protected] with the subject line “Winter Shelter Staff.”

7pm-7am, 6 days/week (flexible days)
$18/hour

#nowhiring #communitynonprofit #nonprofitjobs #nwi #nwijobs

01/04/2021

Holding On

Ladies... consider joining us. We are starting to form support groups and social times. We are also going to tackle a couple of community projects.

Scheduling meet and greet times this week. Let me know if you’d like to attend to see the facility, ask questions, and enjoy some refreshments ❣️

09/18/2020

Support groups in Porter County... meeting in Valparaiso:

—Support Group for Grandparents raising their Grandchildren

—Marriage group for Wives

— Womens Issues: Let’s Talk!!

— Single parenting

— Low and fixed income living

Please call or text to register... 219-510-7098

08/20/2020

Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee

New jobs hiring list! Most jobs can be found on Indeed.com

08/05/2020

Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee

Updated Hiring List-All jobs can be found on Indeed.com.

07/22/2020

Looking for a job? Here's a list of local employers looking for YOU!

Looking for a job? Here's a list of local employers looking for YOU!

06/12/2020

We want to give an extra special thanks to all of our donors during this time. You all have stepped up and went over the top with your generosity in giving. Many people are being helped and are able to remain in their homes because of caring people like you! We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. God Bless!! ❤️

05/21/2020

05/04/2020

Stages of reopening INDIANA as of May 1st!

03/27/2020

03/27/2020

Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee

The next Portage Township Schools Meal Pick-Up will take place on March 30 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at PHS West. PTS students are invited to take home a week of breakfasts and lunches.

DRIVE-UP INSTRUCTIONS: Enter the high school on Pan Am Blvd. (off of Airport Rd.) and follow the directions. You will be directed to either the North or South side of the West building, where a staff member will bring you your meals. After you have your meals, exit onto Route 6.

See the flyer below for more details.

03/26/2020

Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee

Brendan Clancy, Portage Township Trustee, and the Portage Township Food Pantry announce changes in the food pantry’s schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please see the flyer below for details and share with those in need. Thank you!

03/26/2020

Porter County Public Library System

While we are closed for the time being, our parking lots offer wireless internet access! #pcpls, #wifi

03/26/2020

Portage Township Food Pantry Expands Distribution in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Portage Township Food Pantry Expands Distribution in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Portage Township Food Pantry has increased efforts to serve the community's most vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy says those efforts will include increasing distributions of much needed food to residents; increasing efforts to continually re...

03/25/2020

Porter County Public Library System

While we are closed for the time being, our parking lots offer wireless internet access! #pcpls, #wifi

03/23/2020

Veterans can search free resources through Code of Support's PATRIOTlink - VAntage Point

Veterans can search free resources through Code of Support's PATRIOTlink - VAntage Point

Code of Support's PATRIOTlink database allows Veterans in need and their family members to search for free resources in their community.

03/23/2020

Duneland Resale

If you go here for food, stay in your car

YES!!! The FOOD PANTRY
will have distribution
on TUESDAY MARCH 24th
9-11 AM.

03/20/2020

CVS Pharmacy

CVS Pharmacy

To help you through the current health situation, we’re now offering free 1 to 2 day delivery of prescriptions & everyday essentials. Visit https://bit.ly/33zIzfZ or call your local CVS Pharmacy to get started.

03/18/2020

All evictions postponed until June.

03/17/2020

First Contact will remain open during this time. We have made some in office changes as precautionary measures but we will continue to see clients. We are a referral service as well as a resource so please don’t hesitate to call and we will guide you as best we can.

03/17/2020

This program is for a week's worth of food each Monday

UPDATED MEAL PICK-UP INFORMATION

We will be distributing a full week's worth of lunches TODAY at PHS West. Drive your car up to PHS West (Door F) and we will bring meals to your vehicle. This is available for children age 18 and under. See the flyer below for more details.

03/17/2020

Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee

Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee

IN NEED OF EMERGENCY CHILDCARE?

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration also is issuing specific guidance to daycare facilities to protect children in their care.

In respose to the Covid 19 pandemic, state of Indiana officials direct parents and guardians in need of child care during the emergency period to contact their local Child Care Resource and Referral agency at 800-299-1627.

03/17/2020

Portage Township YMCA

We are offering drive-up meals to anyone age 18 and under, Monday-Friday beginning today, Monday, March 16, 5pm-6pm. Availability is limited to the first 100 children during the designated meal time. Each child will receive supper for the evening and lunch for the following day (2 meals each). All children must be present at the time of meal pick-up. YMCA Staff will bring the meals out to you. Pick-up will take place along the south side of the building. Pull-up along the curb just past the main entrance doors and look for the meal pick-up signs.

03/17/2020

Porter County Public Library System

UPDATE. After careful thought and consideration we have decided to close our doors effective immediately to the public until April 10th. We are working extremely hard on fast-tracking virtual and remote services for our patrons.

With that said, we'd like to introduce CURBSIDE DELIVERY available Tuesday March 17 system wide! Stay safe and clean out there folks! ❤️ #pcpls

Check our website for more information regarding the closure.
https://pcpls.org/pandemic/

03/17/2020

WorkOne Northwest Indiana

Special notice for food & beverage industry workers who have been laid off due to the impact of the current COVID-19 situation.

Link for more information or to file from home: https://www.in.gov/dwd/2362.htm

For further resources and websites visit:https://www.in.gov/dwd/files/Claimant_Handbook.pdf
https://www.in.gov/dwd/3468.htm

03/16/2020

Franklin House

Franklin House

This is a surreal time for all of us here at the Franklin House, and we know there are trying times ahead for everyone in our community. Over the next several days we'll be giving away all of the food we have in house to those in need. Tomorrow we'll be opening for carryout food at 11am, offering corned beef, cabbage, and mashed potatoes. If you have the means to pay for food, we'll donate all the money to a local food bank. If you don't, the food is free of charge, no questions asked. We'll get through this together. Stay safe. ❤️

03/16/2020

Important news from NIPSCO!

We're Here for You

At NIPSCO, safety is at the forefront of everything we do and this extends to the health and wellness of our customers and employees.

Financial Assistance Available

We know this could be a time of financial hardship. So, we've voluntarily suspended shutoffs for nonpayment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we're offering to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19 our most flexible payment plans, and we will suspend late payment charges until May 1.

03/16/2020

IN NEED OF EMERGENCY CHILDCARE?

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration also is issuing specific guidance to daycare facilities to protect children in their care.

In response to the Covid 19 pandemic, state of Indiana officials direct parents and guardians in need of child care during the emergency period to contact their local Child Care Resource and Referral agency at 800-299-1627.

03/16/2020

ATTENTION INDIANA AMERICAN WATER CUSTOMERS!

In response to the Covid 19 pandemic, Indiana American Water has suspended all disconnects as of March 12th until further notice.

Any customers that were shut off prior to March 12th; there are technicians in the field systematically turning customers on whether there has been a payment or not and will charge no reconnect fee.

01/10/2020

Baked goods available!! Come on down; we’re here til noon today!

07/30/2019

Save the Date for a fun-filled fundraiser for Family Promise of Porter County!

06/14/2019

04/17/2019

😍“All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors.”😍
John Calvin

03/12/2019