Changing the lives of Porter County residents through financial assistance, counseling and referrals. Our clients range in age from 18-75 years old.
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Many First Contact clients needing assistance have experienced job loss, divorce, injury or some other unfortunate situation that requires financial assistance.
Energy Assistance Info….
We continue to process applications for this season of the Energy Assistance Program.
As a reminder, you can find the needed documents online, but we will need to meet you to process them. We do not have a drop box this year.
To make an appointment: Call 219-464-9736, Option 1.
To see the income guidelines: https://www.portercountyacs.org/energy-assistance
𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆
NICA will be launching the waiting list process for the Housing Voucher program beginning at 9 am CDT Monday April 11 through 3 pm CDT Friday April 15.
Details: https://www.portercountyacs.org/section-8-housing-program-1.
Diana Boyle and her husband Ken started using Porter County Aging and Community Services’ on-demand bus service in 2017, when they first learned about it. Rat
Wow, Hilltop Food Pantry just received an order of Eddie Bauer hats, gloves, warm coats, and boots for adults. With a winter storm coming later this week we will be happy to pass these out Thursday morning to our food pantry clients. Thank you to the anonymous donor!!! People are amazing. So much goodness in the world, keep your eyes open and you will see it.
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!!!
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
Free Clothing event happening this Friday 3-7 in Valparaiso. See post for specific details..
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.
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
New jobs hiring list! Most jobs can be found on Indeed.com
Updated Hiring List-All jobs can be found on Indeed.com.
Looking for a job? Here's a list of local employers looking for YOU!
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!! ❤️
Stages of reopening INDIANA as of May 1st!
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.
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!
While we are closed for the time being, our parking lots offer wireless internet access! ,
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...
Code of Support's PATRIOTlink database allows Veterans in need and their family members to search for free resources in their community.
All evictions postponed until June.
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.
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.
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.
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! ❤️
Check our website for more information regarding the closure.
https://pcpls.org/pandemic/
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
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.
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.
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.
Baked goods available!! Come on down; we’re here til noon today!
2702 E Glendale Boulevard
Valparaiso, IN
46383
| Monday | 9am - 12:30pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 12:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 12:30pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 12:30pm |
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Thank you all for your help and support in the Warm a Home project. We had 14 churches and 3 businesses involved this year. Our total raised was $15,137.00
Check this video of some of the great people who are making everything possible and working behind the scenes at First Contact!
Habitat for Humanity of Porter County
Beech Street
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