HFL's 2018 Grant Cycles total $5,365,789

The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) held an Award Presentation on Nov. 14, 2018 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium to celebrate the recipients of their Grant Cycle 1 and Grant Cycle 2 in 2018. Through grantmaking, capacity building, and their own programs and projects, HFL has awarded a total of $5,365,789 in funding for 2018.

HFL is a not for profit, independent, private foundation dedicated to empowering our residents to live healthy and well in and around La Porte to become one of Indiana’s top 10 healthiest communities by 2030. This foundation was initially funded in March 2016 from the proceeds of the sale of La Porte Hospital.

72 grant projects submitted by 44 La Porte organizations and totaling $5,057,075​ were funded in 2018 between Grant Cycle 1 and Grant Cycle 2. Each project promises to make an impact in one of HFL’s three strategic focus areas (Healthy Children, Healthy Minds, Healthy Living) or contribute to the overall health and wellness of La Porte (Healthy La Porte).

HFL appreciates the time and effort of all the 2018 grant applicants and encourages local organizations who have great ideas related to health and wellness to submit applications for the 2019 grant cycles when they open next year. For more information about HFL’s grant applications or the 2018 grantees, visit the website at hflaporte.org.

Grant Types and Recipients

Healthy Children (Strategic Grants) – $660,067 The health of La Porte’s children is one of our greatest priorities. The lifelong benefits of good childhood health, for both individuals and communities, have led us to identify Healthy Children (prenatal to end of high school) as an HFL Strategic Focus Area.

• City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department

  • Fort La Play Porte Renovation $65,000– Renovate and build additions to existing playground structure

• Dunebrook, Inc.

  • Healthy Families $82,338– Engage families early to provide education and prevent child maltreatment cases

  • Public Education $45,500– Educate the entire La Porte community about the child sexual abuse problem and how to prevent and respond to it

• Family Advocates, Inc.

  • CASA Youth Specialist $36,800– Advocate for and advise foster youth ages 13 to 21

• La Porte Community School Corporation

  • Postponing Sexual Involvement $5,000– Teach values such as abstinence from sexual involvement, respecting oneself, how to cope with peer pressure, and honoring the feelings of others

  • Family/Community Resource Services $52,000– Support for students and families including ENL services, skill building, and resource links and service coordination

• La Porte County Health Department

  • Cribs for Kids $11,000– Safe sleep education for anyone interested and a free safe sleep kit to community members in need

• La Porte Hospital

  • Lil’ F.I.S.H. Club $67,606– Instill healthy behaviors in 4th and 2nd graders in local schools using state standards for education and incorporating physical activity

  • Slicer Health Clinic $165,323– On-site primary care center focusing on the health and wellbeing of LPCSC students in Kindergarten through 12th grade

• Open Door Community Alliance, Inc

  • Open Door Adolescent Health Center $25,000– Emerging Medical Home that emphasizes comprehensive, accessible, & continuous care for adolescents

• The Salvation Army

  • Weekend Backpack Food for Kids $79,500– Provide six healthy kid friendly meals to 400 students from four schools in the La Porte Community School Corporation on the weekends during the school year

• Women’s Care Center

  • Building Capacity for Healthier Babies $25,000– Ongoing health services and support to expectant mothers and babies

Healthy Living (Strategic Grants) – $2,963,242 Obesity and weight-related chronic disease are severe obstacles to a person’s ability to live a long and fulfilling life. The many negative consequences of unhealthy weight, poor diet and physical inactivity can lead to serious health risks, greater medical costs and a lower quality of life. We are committed to reducing the negative effects of poor physical health and its impact on our community and therefore identify Healthy Living as a Strategic Focus Area.

• Bethany Church

  • LaPark Playground Renovation and Additions $25,000 – Build a park with playground, splash features, and equipment for multi-generational and handi-capable use

• City of La Porte

  • Chessie Trail Phase 2 Engineering $60,000 – Engineering design for Phase 2 of Chessie Trail in La Porte

  • Clear Lake Trailhead and Boardwalk $570,089 – Construct Clear Lake Trailhead and Boardwalk to give access to recreation and exercise activities for all La Porteans

  • Sub-Area Plan and Clear Lake Recreational Improvements $425,000 – Improvements to Chessie Trail and Clear Lake area for access points and planning for future recreation areas and projects

• City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department

  • Allesee and Rumely Park Tennis Courts $57,500 – Construct and renovate tennis courts at Allesee and Rumely parks

  • Kesling Park Batting Cages and Shade Sails $181,768– Install shade sails over bleachers at Kesling Park and construct indoor batting cages at Kesling Park

  • Outdoor Fitness Court $119,223 – Construct an NFC Fitness Court in Kesling Park that provides a free bodyweight circuit-training system for adults of all ages and fitness levels

  • Park Safety Initiative $64,800 – Purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs), lightning detector systems and radar speed signs for three regional parks

  • Soldiers Memorial Park Renovations Phase I Planning $20,000 – Develop a plan to renovate Soldiers Memorial Park south of Stone Lake

  • Stone Lake and Fox Park Equipment $90,669 – Climbing rock wall at Stone Lake Beach and PlayCube Structure at Fox Park

  • Summer Playground Program $19,972 – Free drop-in program offering activities for children throughout summer break in five neighborhood parks

  • Tennis Renaissance Phase I $165,000 – Renovate the Bill Reed Tennis Complex in Kesling Park

• Family Advocates, Inc

  • Teaching Wellness During Supervised Parenting Time $17,736 – Education, encouragement and an environment for healthy eating habits and routine physical activity while families engage in supervised parenting time

• Friendship Botanic Gardens

  • Wild-Fit Trail Phase 2 $25,000 – Add 5 new strength-training exercise equipment stations throughout the wilderness trails

• La Porte County Emergency Medical Service

  • Video Laryngoscopes $37,500 – Purchase a video laryngoscope for every EMS vehicle to increase success rate of obtaining a secure airway and reducing oropharyngeal trauma

• La Porte County Family YMCA

  • Evidence Based Health Intervention Program Expansion $33,934 – Incorporate Moving For Better Balance (improving mobility) and Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring into programs created to assist those facing or at risk for chronic diseases

• La Porte Fire Chief’s Assoc.

  • County Firefighter Hood Project $49,375 – Equip each firefighter, career and volunteer, in La Porte County with a new firefighting particulate blocking protective hood

• La Porte Hospital

  • Community Outreach $125,000 – Ongoing health screenings and health fairs to community neighborhoods, support to discharged patients, and concussion testing for high school student athletes

  • La Porte Community Health Center & La Porte Dental Center $650,000 – Access to affordable medical and dental services for community members challenged with low income, no insurance, or those qualified for a sliding fee scale

• La Porte Meals on Wheels

  • Restructuring for Our Future Growth $25,000 – Grow program capacity and outreach in La Porte

• MSD of New Durham Township

  • Westville Wellness Initiative $23,204 – Establish strength training class for middle and high school students, conditioning for student athletics, exercise sessions and yoga classes for staff members, and open weight room facility to community members

• New Prairie United School Corporation

  • New Prairie Empower Hour $147,472 – Safe space for students after school to learn healthy, safe, and responsible behaviors to help them grow into productive community members

• North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc.

  • Wheelchair Ramp/Home Safety Repair Program $20,000 – Construct wheelchair ramps and perform home safety repairs for elderly and/or disabled low-income residents who require this assistance

• The Social and Learning Institute for the Disadvantaged, Inc.

  • Health & Wellness Program $10,000 – Program and classes to achieve health goals and benchmarks for students

Healthy Minds (Strategic Grants) – $1,025,898 Behavioral and mental health are a vital component of a person’s well-being. Mental health disorders, substance abuse and tobacco use negatively impact overall health and quality of life and can place a burden on entire communities. The negative impact of mental illnesses and substance abuse on our neighbors and our community has led HFL to identify Healthy Minds as a Strategic Focus Area so that we can support programs that focus on the prevention and treatment of mental and behavioral health issues.

• Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, INC

  • Keys to Hope Community Resource Center Case Manager $24,000 – Case manager who will increase positive outcomes for community members seeking support from Keys to Hope

• Family Advocates, Inc.

  • CASA Volunteer Coordinator $19,000 – Volunteer Coordinator who will recruit, screen, train and retain volunteers to help abused or neglected children in La Porte County

• Frontline Foundations, Inc.

  • Comprehensive Health Initiative $67,159 – Trauma-Focused Counseling, Eye Movement Desensitization psychotherapy, and Medication Assisted Treatment to address trauma, addiction and physical health

• Healthy Communities of La Porte County

  • Suicide Prevention Education $14,000 – Offer evidence-based Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training to parents, educators, first responders, and any interested community members

• La Porte County Public Library

  • Community Resource Coordinator $24,437 – Coordinator who will provide community members in need real time access to critical health resources

• Swanson Center

  • Detox Now $731,812 – Eliminate barriers of time, cost, and transportation for community members in need of inpatient/residential detox and subsequent addictions treatment. Create an extended Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.

• The Dunes House

  • Nine Beds Scholarship $14,490 – Supplement rent payments for men entering nine bed long-term recovery program to become sober, responsible, and employed

• The Intrepid Phoenix

  • The Intrepid Phoenix $25,000 – Combine the fellowship and unity of a 12 Step Program with a holistic approach to fitness in the recovery process

• Youth Service Bureau

  • Kids on the Block $6,000 – Educate second grade students in La Porte County about physical and sexual abuse

• La Porte County Schools

  • Partners in Prevention $100,000 – Planning Grants to 15 schools in La Porte County for prevention programs attending approximately 19,000 students

Healthy La Porte (Responsive Grants) – $407,868 HFL identifies health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” as defined by the World Health Organization. We recognize that wellness is the “active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence” and the six dimensions of wellness are emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual and spiritual as developed by the National Wellness Institute. Healthy La Porte Responsive Grants meet our community’s health and wellness needs that fall outside of the three Strategic Grant Areas and demonstrate a connection to HFL’s mission and vision.

• Arts in the Park

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  • Dennis Smith Amphitheater Expansion $25,000 – Improve existing amphitheater site by adding permanent, accessible concessions, restrooms, dressing rooms and storage

  • Summer Concert Series $15,000 – Coordination of free concert series and events for La Porte community

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary

  • Lifeline Utility Assistance $7,707 – Financial assistance for low income families and individuals facing disconnection of utilities

  • Preventing Homelessness $15,461 – Financial assistance to help residents avoid eviction or foreclosure and a workshop to help develop a strategic financial plan to achieve financial sustainability

• Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, INC

  • Grace Learning Center’s Nurturing Parenting Program $3,912 – Program dedicated to removing barriers to self-sufficiency for parents to help them achieve the ultimate outcome of jobs and housing

• City of La Porte Police Department

  • AED and First Aid Equipment Program $12,565 – Purchase of new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and First Aid equipment for the La Porte Police Department and City Hall

• Indiana Guardianship Services Inc.

  • Adult Guardianship Program $17,700 – Decrease wait list time for guardianship services to incapacitated adults

• La Porte Community School Corporation

  • ICU – Individual, Creative and Unique $15,000 – Awareness and skill building for students and families who are struggling with Self-Regulation, Mental Health Concerns and Life Trauma

  • Kingsbury Healthy Families $4,135 – Mitigate, educate, and inverse inter-generational cycles of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their residual health effects in the community

  • Middle School Afternoon Success Program $25,000 – Safe environment for middle school students including academic interventions for struggling students and enrichment opportunities for all students

  • Slicer Champions School-based Mentoring Program $20,756 – Link caring adults from business, civic organizations and the community with middle and high school students who are disconnected from education and our community

• La Porte County Family YMCA

  • Volunteer Capacity Building $25,000 – Further develop volunteer capacity and processes to recruit more volunteers, expand program impact, and maximize the health outcomes that come from volunteering

• La Porte County Symphony Orchestra

  • Children’s Education Concert $15,000 – Bring students out of the classroom and into the performance hall to experience the cultural power of the arts through the orchestra’s education concerts

• Leadership La Porte County, Inc.

  • Youth 2018-19 Program $7,100 – Build on the skills, ideas and energy of local youth to improve the community through service-led projects and promoting civic engagement

• Michigan City Area Schools

  • All About M.M.E. (Mindful Motor Enrichment) $23,189 – Mindful motor enrichment activities to build self regulation skills needed for all persons to be peaceful and successful individuals

• MSD of New Durham Township

  • Westville Little School $24,999 – Collaboration with Purdue Northwest and Dunebrook to offer 3, 4, and 5 year old children and their families an educational opportunity integrated with home visits and social service supports

• North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc.

  • Children Vision Screening Program $8,000 – Vision screening for 3-6 year old children in La Porte County with complimentary follow-up exam and pair of glasses for children with financial need

• Open Door Community Alliance, Inc

  • Medication Assistance Program $10,000 – Remove barriers for patients who are in need of medications and supplies

• Paladin, Inc.

  • Transportation for the Elderly, Disabled, and Medically Fragile $25,000 – Reliable transportation to the elderly, disabled, and medically fragile so they can access needed medical and community services

• READ La Porte County, Inc.

  • ESL Classes with a Health & Wellness Component $10,000 – Instruction and practice in using English through general, financial, job readiness, and health and wellness instruction

• Reins of Life, Inc.

  • Equine-assisted Learning $22,844 – Collaboration with the South La Porte Special Education Cooperative to design specifically tailored lessons with various unmounted and mounted equine-assisted activities

• Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Inc.

  • Transitioning from Violence to Safety $10,000 – Providing crisis lines, intervention, temporary shelter, clothing and food, transitional housing, counseling, support groups, and advocacy to victims of domestic violence

• The Singing Company of La Porte County

  • Children’s Chorus $2,000 – Engage children in experiences of music education and performance opportunities to foster their character through music

• United Way of La Porte County

  • 2018 La Porte Community Schools Kindergarten Countdown Camps $10,000 – Four-week curriculum taught by licensed kindergarten teachers for children with no pre-school experience

• Unity Foundation of La Porte County

  • Vibrant Communities of La Porte County $25,000 – Create a grass roots, county-wide action agenda for the 15 communities of La Porte County and the county as a whole

• We Connect

  • Success Coach $25,000 – Success Coach who will offer onsite career mentoring and professional development tailored to at-risk employees’ unique needs

• Yana Service Club, Inc.

  • Handicap Access Ramp $2,500 – Build a Handicap Access Ramp to enable individuals who are handicapped to access the clubhouse for the purpose of attending 12 Step Recovery meetings

Healthy Partners – $105,053 HFL has identified capacity building as a funding priority to help organizations develop and strengthen the skills, abilities, and resources that are needed to make an even more impactful change in our community.

• Meals on Wheels – Capacity Building Support for Local Meals on Wheels

• Nonprofit Leadership Academy – IU Nonprofit Leadership Certificate

• Ten2030.org – Website with data and resources related to La Porte County

Legacy Funding – $203,661 HFL recognizes the invaluable role that the former La Porte Hospital Foundation’s signature programs and events played in our community. The two foundations blended their financial and operational efforts together as of January 1, 2017, and HFL continues to maintain these programs and events in support of our mission to empower residents to live healthy and well in and around La Porte.

• Breast Cancer Prevention​

• Cancer Patient Assistance​

• Chapel Programs​

• Children’s Programs​

• La Porte Hospital Auxiliary Projects​

• Samaritan Assistance

• Scholarships