Opportunity Enterprises launches food pantry
Opportunity Enterprises is opening the Shared Table Food Pantry in partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana network, according to a release.
The Shared Table Food Pantry will help expand food sourcing and expand the organization’s impact in Porter County. Open and free to the public, the pantry, located at OE 2801 Evans Ave., in Valparaiso, will also function as a career lab to enhance OE’s efforts in preparing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for the workforce, the release said.
To ceremonially open the project, OE is hosting a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. June 18 at the Valparaiso site.
Franciscan Health, partners hosting Safe Kids Day
Children and their families are invited to join in the fun at the free Safe Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13 at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, a release said.
The interactive event will include a variety of activities along with educational booths with information about keeping kids safe and healthy. The event will feature a free meal for the whole family as well as music, games, raffle prizes, giveaways and a few surprises, the release said.
Safe Kids Day is a project of Safe Kids Northwest Indiana, the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Trauma Services along with event sponsors Cleveland-Cliffs, Geminus Regional Care Group, Helping Hands In-Home Care, HealthLinc and Strengthening Indiana Families Family Resource Center.
The event is scheduled to take place at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, 1232 W. Indiana 2 in LaPorte. Registration, which is required, is available by calling 219-488-1380.
YMCA Foundation awards $15K in scholarships
The Valparaiso Family YMCA Foundation recently announced the recipients of its 2025 Foundation Scholarships, awarding a total of $15,000 to fivel high school seniors from across Porter County, according to a release.
Each student was awarded a $3,000 scholarship following a competitive application process based on academic achievement, leadership, service and embodiment of the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Scholarship recipients are: Kaitlin Shideler, Valparaiso High School; Kiera McConnell, Valparaiso High School; Giszelle Pfeiffer, Chesterton High School; Josephine Lemmons, Morgan Township High School; and Steven Larsen, Hebron High School.
Sylvan Learning opens in Portage
The Sylvan Learning Center recently opened at 1605 Adler Circle, Suite G, in Portage.
The center, the 21st owned by Sarah Miller and Kent Kolbow across Indiana, Florida and Maryland, got its start in 2010 in Mishawaka. Under their leadership, the Mishawaka center grew from just a handful of students to hundreds served each year, the release said. Miller plans to bring that same dedication and leadership to the new Portage center.
The team includes Carmen Barnes as the Portage director and support from experienced staff across the area, the release said.
The location is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For information, email portage.in@sylvanlearning.com or call 219-841-9450.
Donation to help Duneland YMCA project
The curtain rises on a new era for the old school auditorium at 651 W. Morgan Ave. in Chesterton, thanks to a gift to the Duneland Family YMCA from the Chamberlain family, a release said.
The donation will play a pivotal role in the structural renovation of the Duneland Family YMCA Healthy Living Campus’s stage, while also propelling forward a renaissance in the fine arts culture, the release said.
Every member of the Chamberlain family — including Mark Chamberlain and his three daughters Elizabeth, Leslie, and Taylor — has graced the stage that will be named in their honor, the release said.
To learn more about the theater renovation and other upcoming project developments at the Duneland Family YMCA Healthy Living Campus, or to support the Duneland Family YMCA Capital Campaign, visit: www.dunelandymca.org/capitalcampaign.
High schoolers complete fire, rescue training
The MAAC Foundation, in partnership with Porter County Career and Technical Center, recently graduated its seventh Fire and Rescue Academy class, a release said.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Heroes’ Hangout building on the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso. The Fire and Rescue High School Academy is designed to provide students with both the academic foundation and practical experience required for state certifications in fire and hazardous materials response, the release said.
Members of the class include: Liam Arroyo, Hobart High School; Isabel Bartkus, Chesterton; High School; Dagan Blohm, Morgan Township High School; Jaden Bradburn, Hebron High School; Magdalena Chmura, Chesterton High School; Jessica Edwards, Valparaiso High School; Brockton Franzman, Hebron High School; Kallie Goins, Hebron High School; Kole Ketchum, Hobart High School; Connor McFadden, Kouts High School; Ethan Minchuk, Hobart High School; Ethan Ruckle, Valparaiso High School; Bryce Sartin, Chesterton High School; Deven Sippel, Hobart High School; Grant Timmons, Valparaiso High School; and Micah Wells, Hobart High School.
PCES names new executive director
Porter County Education Services has named Erin Hawkins as the new Executive Director for Special Education through a special service agreement between PCES and Valparaiso Community Schools, a release said.
Hawkins currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent for Valparaiso Community Schools and will continue to be an employee of VCS while serving with PCES, which serves seven Porter County school corporations.
Since 2019, Hawkins has led Student Support Services in Valparaiso including special education and social workers after beginning her career as an elementary teacher in 2001. Hawkins will begin the transition into the new position in June with a July 1 official start date.
