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player ready...Insurer donates $80K for storm relief
A number of local and state charitable organizations will get a piece of $80,000 donated for storm relief by United Healthcare.
United Healthcare’s investment will help fund organizations providing emergency food assistance, shelter, recovery supplies, direct financial assistance and long-term recovery support in flood-impacted communities, according to a release.
Recipients include the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, American Red Cross Indiana Region, Heart of Indiana United Way, The Indianapolis Foundation, Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary, The Salvation Army Indiana Division, Matthew 25: Ministries, and several local community foundations supporting relief efforts in some of Indiana’s hardest-hit
counties, the release said.
Anyone in need of emotional support or referrals to community resources should call Optum’s Emotional Support Help Line at 866-447-3573.
YWCA gala to support storm relief
The YWCA Northwest Indiana will host its annual Circle of Friends Gala beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana while raising funds to support families rebuilding after the Aug. 11 storm.
The YWCA Northwest Indiana emerged as a community resource hub, partnering with the City of Gary to provide emergency support and vital resource information, a release said.
This year’s gala will feature ABC7 Chicago News journalist Samantha Chatman as the special guest host. Funds raised will directly support the YWCA’s ongoing programs, emergency response capacity and year‑round services, the release said. Supporters are invited to become sponsors, purchase tickets or make donations at https://cof26ywcanwi.swell.gives/.
For more information, visit ywcanwi.org or call 219-881-9922.
PNW education program repeats national recognition
Purdue University Northwest’s undergraduate program in Elementary Education has once again earned national recognition for excellence in preparing future educators to effectively teach reading.
The National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonpartisan research and policy organization, recently awarded PNW an A+ rating for its alignment with the science of reading, a set of evidence-based practices that have been shown to help most elementary students become successful readers, a release said.
NCTQ’s 2026 report, “Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,” assessed more than 700 elementary teacher preparation programs on how well they align with the science of reading’s essential components of effective reading instruction — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
PNW’s program previously earned an A rating from NCTQ in 2023. Learn more at pnw.edu/education-counseling.
U.S. Steel donates $250K for Lake, Porter relief
In the wake of the Aug. 11 severe storm, U.S. Steel has donated $250,000 to support recovery efforts in Gary and Portage.
The steelmaker is partnering directly with the Legacy Foundation and the Porter County Community Foundation, a release said.
Through the partnership, a $150,000 grant to the Legacy Foundation and a $100,000 grant to the Porter County Community Foundation is expected to fuel community relief, storm recovery, and community restoration across Gary and Portage, the release said.
To access storm relief assistance, check eligibility or support broader local recovery initiatives, visit the Legacy Foundation at legacyfdn.org or the Porter County Community Foundation at pccf.gives.
Robotics grant award celebrated
Tri‑Township School Corp. was recently named a recipient of the 2026–2027 Indiana K‑12 Robotics Competition Grant, awarded by the Indiana Department of Education, according to a release.
The grant recognizes districts that demonstrate strong STEM programming and provide students with hands-on engineering opportunities in the Wanatah-based district.
In recent seasons, Tri‑Township teams have qualified for the Indiana VEX IQ Elementary State Championship for the third time, placed 13th at the Indiana VEX V5 Middle School State Championship and advanced through state finals to qualify for the VEX World Championship, the release said.
Fall Lake County grant cycle opens
Legacy Foundation recently announced that applications for Fall Transform Lake County Grant Cycle are open and invite nonprofit organizations serving Lake County to apply for funding, a release said.
Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations (or those serving Lake County residents) may apply for one of two funding options within the Transform Lake County Grants: Programs & Services ($2,000 – $35,000), which supports direct programs and services that benefit Lake County residents, and Capacity Building (Up to $10,000), focuses on internal operations to strengthen your organization as a whole (e.g., strategic planning, tech upgrades, leadership development, or marketing strategy).
For information, contact Kelly Baer at [email protected] or 219-736-1880.
Program director named at VU
Valparaiso University has appointed Ed Finn as director for its new online master of organizational leadership program.
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Finn brings more than 17 years of experience in higher education, along with a 20-year career in the private, public and non-profit sectors, according to a release.
Finn holds a bachelor of science in labor studies and a master of science in education in adult education from Indiana University and a doctor of education in organizational leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, the release said. Finn came to VU in 2020.
The launch of the MOL program at Valparaiso University was announced in April and applications are open at valpo.edu/apply. Specific program information can be found at valpo.edu/programs/master-of-organizational-leadership.
Franciscan, Michigan City Y, offering free cooking class
Franciscan Health is teaming up with Michigan City Elston YMCA to offer a free Cooking Matters class.
The class will highlight healthy food swaps, tips for budget-friendly grocery shopping, proper cooking techniques, general nutrition tips and more, a release said.
The class is scheduled to take place from 5-6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Michigan City Elston YMCA, 1201 Spring St. in Michigan City. Participants should enter through Door L.
The class is free, but space is limited and registration is required by Sept. 17. To register, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Specialist Selena Tinoco at [email protected] or 219-221-4153.