I volunteered at a United Way sponsored Food Giveaway this year and I was shocked. The need in La Porte County is very much real and without a local United Way these people who not receive food and other needs. I highly encourage you to put yourself in the shoes of those in need by volunteering and supporting United Way.
United Way is a community leader. I volunteer and advocate for United Way because of their mission for La Porte county. Please support United Way when you can, they are one of the good ones!
My first experience with UW of Greater LaPorte County was during COVID. I witnessed this diverse and humble organization gather the community together to provide food and care packages to those in need. The line of cars seemed never ending. NO ONE was turned away. I was in awe of some of the comments that came from the community as they were being served... One stated, "I never thought I would be in this position.", others expressed how grateful they were to have UW of Greater LaPorte County to provide such an abundance of needs for so many. Witnessing this event was when I knew that I wanted to be a part of this great organization! They definitely make a difference.
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United Way of Greater LaPorte County is so selfless! In 2020, during the pandemic, I volunteered beside UW and other partners as they provided food and care packages to over 500 families! UW spared no expense of time and effort making sure the goods were of value and meaningful. This was a such trying time of year for everyone. Knowing that an organization like the UW was thinking about the community was so heartfelt and well received!
I've participated in food distribution drives that have been coordinated by our United Way chapter. It was great to see the smiles and hear the thank yous from the people in our community who needed a little help, Each of the drives has been well organized and efficient.
I am thrilled to be on the board of an organization that is so enthusiastic about making a difference in the community. Years ago, I worked at another United Way in Indiana, and I also was an ambassador for United Way when I worked at a firm in Chicago. United Way makes a difference in all communities, but I must say there is something special about United Way of Greater LaPorte County. Kris Pate, Dave Sisk, Ellen Meihofer, and Marisa Chaples have a gift of rallying the community at large to be engaged in this collective community mission.
I'm on the Board and it's such a fabulous organization, ethical, and centered on making the community a better place.
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My organization has been collaborative partners with United Way of LaPorte County for the last 25 years. They are far more than funding partners, we also work with UWLC on a number of projects, including but not limited to my organizations Food Rescue Initiative. For the past three years, in response to basic needs created by COVID, United Way has submitted grant applications and has received awards to sponsor mobile food distribution events, which our organization facilitates the event. With our organization alone, UWLC funds our family emergency homeless shelter, our day resource center for homeless individuals, our learning center and food rescue. Kris Pate (President and CEO) and her talented and dedicated team of professionals (Dave Sisk, Director of Corporate Engagement), Ellen Meihofer (Director of Community Engagement) and Marisa Chaples (Community Impact & System of Care Coordinator) are involved and invested in making LaPorte County a better place to live. Our organization and the community in general owe a debt of gratitude to this team for everything they do at the highest professional level.
UWLC works with multiple organization creating strategic plans for improving our county and our standards of living. Whether front and center or behind the scenes, UWLC is a cornerstone of so many life changing programs and a true pillar of LaPorte County.
UNITED WAY OF LAPORTE COUNTY!
Our United Way Takes Action to support its partners to make a difference in our community! They bring us together to network, learn more, show our collective impact and support us. However, more importantly, they understand our impact and our mission as the sole provider of a 24 hr. Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Trafficking Shelter. Not only do they provide vital financial support that allows us to provide programs and services for free to all clients, they help with volunteers, etc. It takes a village and they are with us! THANK you United Way of Laporte County for supporting our mission to empower our community to live without violence.
United Way is a great community organization that truly wants the best for the community. Dollars raised by United Way each year are invested into programs at various community organizations that work to ensure everyone in La Porte county can live the happy and healthy lives they deserve.
I used United Way as a resource when I was in some very hard times. I'm thankful we had it because it provided us information on where we could get food, where we could get bill assistance and etc. I can’t say thank you enough for making a difference not only in my life, but in our county as well.
United Way of LaPorte County does amazing things in this area. They have had some awesome events this year and I encourage you to attend one or more if you haven’t yet. The staff work hard and are always serving the community with a smile on their face. I am glad that we have a United Way that fights for the needs of everyone in this community. Thank you!!
I am always eager to partner with a great organization such as United Way. Kris and her staff are “do-ers” and go the extra mile to help those who need it most. When push comes to shove, they are leaders in this community and everyone could benefit from having the presence and impact that this local United Way has.
United Way came through for me during the pandemic in a huge way. I never thought that I would be in a position where I would need resources/services to find food, shelter, safety etc. United Way serves the most important needs in our community and I am proud to be a supporter of an organization that supported me when it really counted.
WITHOUT THE HELP AND SUPPORT OF UNITED WAY WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP AS MANY CLIENTS HOUSED. WITH THE FUNDING TO HELP STOP EVICTIONS WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP CLIENTS IN THEIR HOMES AND NOT EVICTED OUT TO THE STREETS.
UNITED WAY HELPS SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN LA PORTE COUNTY!
The people operating United Way of Greater LaPorte County consistently show transparency, integrity, compassion and competence. UWLPC is an organizing force in our area and we are much better for that.
I am so proud of the job the United Way of Laporte County has done during these tough COVID times. Dispensing over one million dollars to folks who needed the funds is more than commendable. These funds were necessary for families to survive.
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I have been so impressed by United Way of LaPorte County. They have gone out of their way to help provide hand sanitizer, gift cards, food donations, and other essentials to the residents of the county. Their presences is a godsend and a necessity during these trying times. It is so wonderful to have such caring folks in the community.
The United Way of Greater LaPorte County truly is an asset to our community. They work very hard to raise money in LaPorte County to benefit the citizens of LaPorte County. They do an excellent job of making sure that United Way funds and distributed in ways that address the greatest needs.
Parents That Share is our Parent Group for South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative. Through the UNITED WAY donations our group has been able to purchase items for students and teachers to enhance learning for students with Special Needs. We are so very grateful to UNITED WAY and their continued support.
Paula Nichols
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I called UNITED WAY to assist with a concern for a student who needed to have formula mailed to him. His case was being closed and we needed to insure that he would have what he needed to stay healthy. UNITED WAY assisted immediately and found a way for the student to get his nourishment.
Thank you UNITED WAY!
It's hard to know where to begin when addressing our relationship with United Way of Greater LaPorte County (UWLC) or the impact they have on our nonprofit organization and the community brothers and sisters we serve. Our organization has 4 primary programs, a residential program (shelter) for women and families, an education center, a day resource center (serving the individuals using the local PADS emergency overnight shelter) and a food rescue program. UWLC funds operations for all of our programs and with their generous help, we not only find permanent housing for over 100 individuals and families per year, but their support of our education center helps these individuals secure the tools and skill sets for sustainable self-sufficiency. They provided grant proceeds and in partnership with our organization conducted over 20 mobile food pantries to help provide supplemental food during the pandemic, including an event in collaboration with our organization, Food Bank of Northern Indiana and the Social Work Department of Purdue University Northwest. They also provided capacity building refrigerators and freezers to local soup kitchens and food pantries throughout our county. They were part of a collaboration with three other funders to provide COVID relief. With congregate living, we had no major outbreaks through our shelter and the other shelter programs in county. They lead the way with a model of Collective Impact encouraging local organizations to work with others to provide stronger programs without duplication of services. This particular United Way of Greater LaPorte County, led by Kris Pate and a dedicated team of UWLC professionals, deserved this recognition. We are a better organization, a better community and a better county because of them. The thousands they serve lead a better life because of them. Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, Inc., Michigan City, Indiana.
United Way in LaPorte County has a great sense of the various elements needed to make a great community. They lead some of these, support others, encourage some, and amplify the work of others in trying to make LaPorte County an even stronger place to thrive.
United Way of LaPorte Co has gone above and beyond to assist the most needy during COVID - not once, but consistently during the past 18 months!!
United Way to the rescue! Due to the fast action of United Way, we are able to offer hot spots to our students working virtually. Many of our students live in areas so remote internet service is not available to them. Hot spots allow them to connect with their classroom teacher and participate in lessons offered virtually.
We were also able to purchase microphones and speakers so students struggling to hear their teachers wearing masks (due to Covid) now hear and understand what is being asked of them.
Last, but not least, we were able to offer a Pop-Up-Child-Care so our essential employees, teachers, could come to work and teach.
Thank you Untied Way for being a friend to the students and staff at MSD of New Durham Township School Corporation in La Porte, Indiana.
United Way Of LaPorte County has excelled at keeping our non-for profit groups meeting, getting to know one another, learning from each other and understanding the need for results based accountability in all our program's data collection. They are an understanding team that is supportive and always forthright and positive.
United Way of LaPorte County is a vital organization in our community that helps our members grow and prosper!
Thank you,
Jeanne Ann Cannon, LCSW
Executive Director of Dunebrook
Our school corporation was in need of wifi hotspots and updated computers for student use. Unfortunately, the pandemic caught us off guard a bit on these two fronts. These items were in high need, but we simply didn't have the revenue to purchase them. We attempted other grant options without success. Fortunately, we submitted our request to the United Way of Greater LaPorte County - they granted our request and responded immediately. I cannot thank the United Way enough for helping our students and school in a real pinch. Bless you and thank you!
United Way of LaPorte County has helped us empower our clients, especially through this COVID experience. As the new Director of a Domestic Violence shelter, community partnerships are invaluable. Kris Pate, Dave Sisk and the UWLPC team have been there for our agency by providing us with COVID supplies, funding support and in spreading the word on our programming. Through the year, we lean on the UWLPC team not only for funding support but in training, staff support and most importantly in connecting us to other great partners. We just couldn't do what we do without them!
I serve on the board for this group and know first hand how hard the executive director, Kris Pate works to meet the needs of individuals in LaPorte County. She has a true servant heart and our county is better because of her leadership at United Way.
What United Way of LaPorte County does with the "Power of the Purse" is amazing!!! Just having that purse can make a person feel valued. its an amazing initiative!!!
I serve as the Superintendent of Schools in Michigan City. Whenever there's an urgent need for support for families and students, I can count on the United Way of LaPorte County. They have also filled a critical role by identifying donors for Kindergarten Countdown which services students without preschool experience or needing summer readiness for a successful transition to kindergarten.
I witnessed a person go through a life changing accomplishment with the help of United Way of La Porte County and one of their sponsored programs, READ La Porte County. This person could not read, they learned to read through this United Way sponsored program and it not only boosted their confidence, It allowed them to search for and find a better job. Because of their new ability they could now read and understand instructions which opened a world of opportunities that was not available to them previously. It helped them provide a better life for their family, help their children read and inspired them all to learn.
Family Advocates has been a member of the United Way of Greater LaPorte County for over 15 years. The United Way has continued to provide support, collaborative opportunities and training to all its member agencies. It the agency has a question, our United Way will find the answer. We are fortunate to have such qualified staff to give agencies the support and feedback that allows us to serve the community.