UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST INDIANA INC
Programs
Level Up Financial Mobility Program
LEVEL UP IS A MULTI-FACETED, MINDSET CHANGE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL MOBILITY FOR WORKING RESIDENTS THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. PROVIDED IN A ONE-ON-ONE SETTING, STAFF HELPS STRENGTHEN CLIENT RESOLVE TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY. LEVEL UP ASSISTS WITH SOCIO-EMOTIONAL, MENTAL AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS BY GUIDING CLIENTS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, SOFT SKILLS TRAINING, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATIONS AND CONNECTIONS. PROGRAM DURATION IS APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 18 MONTHS. RESIDENTS MEETING MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS CAN APPLY TO THE PROGRAM AT WWW.UNITEDWAYNWI.ORG/LEVEL-UP. RESOURCE ROUNDUP - WWW.RESOURCEROUNDUP.COM - IS AN ONLINE, PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORY FOR NORTHWEST INDIANA RESIDENTS IN NEED TO ACCESS INITIAL INFORMATION ON A VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT CAN HELP GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.COMMUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES PROGRAM OFFERS ADVISORS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS TO FIND COMMUNITY RESOURCES MORE QUICKLY. ADVISORS ANSWER GENERAL INQUIRIES, ASSESS RESIDENT NEEDS AND CONNECT CLIENTS TO LOCAL SERVICES. UNITED WAY AMERICORPS SENIORS/RSVP PROGRAM DEPLOYS MORE THAN 300 SENIOR (ADULTS 55 & OLDER) VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST NORTHWEST INDIANA NONPROFITS BY DELIVERING MEALS, HELPING AT FOOD PANTRIES, PROVIDING SENIOR AND FAMILY COMPANIONSHIP AT HOSPICE AND SENIOR CENTERS, AND TRANSPORTING SENIORS AND VETERANS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, AND MORE. THE PROGRAM SERVES IN LAKE, LAPORTE, PORTER AND STARKE COUNTIES. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND BASIC NEEDS GRANT SERVICES PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO NONPROFITS WORKING IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY AND HEALTH. FUND SUPPORTS INCLUDE UNITED WAY EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND, FEMA EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM, AND COVID-19 RELIEF FUND. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH APPROXIMATELY 35 AREA NONPROFITS. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACTION IN DISASTER COALITION (COAD) CONNECTS RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TOGETHER TO NETWORK AND STAY INFORMED ON DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES. UNITED WAY HELPS WITH THE COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FEMA-SUPPORTED RECOVERY INITIATIVES AND EFFORTS IN NORTHWEST INDIANA.IRS VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES VOLUNTEER-LED, FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES FOR LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS.UNITED WAY READING BUDDIES IS A REGIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MORE THAN 4,000 NEW STUFFED ANIMAL READING BUDDIES TO OVER 170 FIRST AND SECOND GRADE CLASSROOMS IN LAKE, LAPORTE AND PORTER COUNTIES.WOMEN UNITED AIMS TO PROVIDE A SUPPORT NETWORK TO WOMEN IN RECOVERY BY PROVIDING LIFE SKILLS CLASSES AND SOCIAL EVENTS. MEMBERS COMMIT TO HOSTING CLASSES AND/OR DONATING FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT. THE MAJOR FUNDRAISER FOR THE PROGRAM IS THEIR ANNUAL BUNCO BASH EVENT. THE GROUP HAS APPROXIMATELY 150 MEMBERS.UNITED WAY REGIONAL VOLUNTEER CENTER MATCHES NORTHWEST INDIANA RESIDENTS WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE CENTER ANNUALLY COORDINATES DAY OF CARING, A REGION-WIDE, SINGLE-DAY VOLUNTEER EVENT.NORTHWEST INDIANA AMERICORPS HAS BEEN A UNITED WAY PROGRAM SINCE 2007. THE PROGRAM BUILDS CAPACITY FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS AND SCHOOLS SYSTEMS THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE AND DIRECT SERVICE SUPPORTS. THE PROGRAM SERVES IN LAKE, PORTER, LAPORTE AND MARSHALL COUNTIES.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2021 – Jun 30, 2022Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$4.1MProgram 1 [2024]
YOUTHBUILD PROGRAMS PROVIDE YOUNG INDIVIDUALS AGED 16-24 WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY WHILE GAINING VOCATIONAL SKILLS IN CONSTRUCTION. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN BUILDING OR REHABILITATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. THESE PROGRAMS NOT ONLY EQUIP YOUTH WITH VALUABLE SKILLS BUT ALSO INSTILL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE. OUR YBUWNWI PROGRAM WILL ADDRESS THESE NEEDS IN EAST CHICAGO, GARY, AND PORTAGE INDIANA. THERE WILL BE A 6 MONTH TRAINING PERIOD AND A 1 YEAR PERIOD OF WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF EACH PARTICIPANT. THIS PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE FIRST COHORT WILL BEGIN JUNE 1, 2025. THIS INITIATIVE WILL SERVE 58 PARTICIPANTS OVER THE NEXT 3 YEARS. JUMP START IS A VITAL, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEX AND URGENT NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING HOMELESSNESS IN HAMMOND, INDIANA. THE PROGRAM SERVES AS BOTH A SAFETY NET AND A SPRINGBOARD, OFFERING TARGETED SUPPORT FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSECURITY, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND SAFETY:JUMP START PROVIDES IMMEDIATE RELIEF THROUGH FOOD ASSISTANCE, CLOTHING, AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS. FOR INDIVIDUALS FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE PROGRAM ENSURES CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT, SAFE HOUSING OPTIONS, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND ADVOCACY CENTERS.HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS:RECOGNIZING THE DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN HEALTH AND STABILITY, JUMP START LINKS PARTICIPANTS WITH ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICE AS WELL AS COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING. BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO CARE, THE PROGRAM FOSTERS LONG-TERM WELLNESS AND RECOVERY. JUMP START ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY ASSISTING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH APPLICATION TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND CONNECTION TO RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE AGENCIES/SERVICES. HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS:JUMP START PRIORITIZES LONG-TERM STABILITY BY HELPING PARTICIPANTS SECURE SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND STABLE EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM OFFERS JOB READINESS TRAINING, RSUM DEVELOPMENT, INTERVIEW PREPARATION, AND CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS. CASE MANAGERS WORK CLOSELY WITH PARTICIPANTS TO IDENTIFY SUSTAINABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, NAVIGATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND MAINTAIN HOUSING ONCE SECURED.COMMUNITY RESOURCE NAVIGATION AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT:PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATED REFERRALS TO ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES, INCLUDING CHILD CARE, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, LEGAL AID, AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. JUMP START'S APPROACH ENSURES EACH CLIENT'S PATH FORWARD IS SUPPORTED AND SUSTAINABLE. JUMP START HAS TRANSFORMED THE LIVES BY NOT ONLY ADDRESSING THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS, BUT ALSO EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE TOOLS, CONNECTIONS, AND CONFIDENCE TO BUILD STABLE, SELF-SUFFICIENT FUTURES. THE PROGRAM REFLECTS HAMMOND'S COMMITMENT TO ENDING THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS AND EMPOWERING VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY.UNITED WAY NORTHWEST INDIANA'S LEVEL UP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS BREAK THE INCOME BARRIERS BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, CAREER PLANNING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND ACCESS TO TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE PERSONALIZED SUPPORT TO OVERCOME BARRIERS SUCH AS LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION OR HIGHER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO CONNECTS PARTICIPANTS WITH MENTORS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, ENHANCING THEIR CHANCES OF SECURING STABLE AND FULFILLING JOBS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO BUILDING UP THE PARTICIPANT AND EMPOWERING THEM TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. SERVICES INCLUDE FINANCIAL WELLNESS, IMPROVING AND UNDERSTANDING CREDIT, SOFT SKILLS, RESUME BUILDING. THE CLIENT WILL EXPERIENCE A JOURNEY THAT HAS THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT OF THEIR NAVIGATOR/COACH TO SUPPORT THEM THROUGH DIFFICULT LIFE CHOICES. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE REACHED THROUGH ACCESS OF FAFSA ASSISTANCE TO ACCESS FINANCIAL AID SUCH AS PEL AND NEXT LEVEL JOB FUNDING. THE NAVIGATOR/COACH WILL ASSIST CLIENT IN FINDING PATHWAYS TO AVAILABLE FUNDING. PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE TWO LEVELS OF SUPPORT. LEVEL UP RESOURCE NAVIGATORS WILL HAVE MORE OF A BRIEF CASE MANAGEMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLIENT THAT IS LOOKING TO GAIN ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND A BETTER PAYING JOB QUICKLY. LEVEL UP COACHES WILL PROVIDE A MORE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE CLIENTS LOOKING TO ENROLL IN CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE PROGRAM. BOTH LEVELS WILL INCLUDE FINANCIAL WELLNESS EDUCATION. A SHARED CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REPRESENTS A POWERFUL COLLABORATIVE TOOL THAT ENHANCES HOW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DELIVER SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. BY CENTRALIZING CLIENT INFORMATION AND COORDINATING CARE ACROSS AGENCIES, THIS MODEL CREATES A MORE RESPONSIVE, EFFICIENT, AND PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING COMPLEX SOCIAL CHALLENGES SUCH AS HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, FOOD INSECURITY, AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.1. IMPROVED ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCESWHEN ORGANIZATIONS USE A SHARED SYSTEM, CLIENTS CAN BE SEAMLESSLY REFERRED FROM ONE SERVICE PROVIDER TO ANOTHER WITHOUT REPEATING THEIR STORIES OR UNDERGOING MULTIPLE INTAKES. THIS REDUCES BARRIERS TO HELP AND SPEEDS UP ACCESS TO CRITICAL SUPPORT, SUCH AS EMERGENCY HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, JOB TRAINING, OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION. CLIENTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO STAY ENGAGED IN SERVICES WHEN THE PROCESS FEELS COORDINATED AND RESPECTFUL OF THEIR TIME AND NEEDS.2. BETTER COORDINATION AND HOLISTIC SUPPORTSHARED CASE MANAGEMENT FOSTERS REAL-TIME COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PROVIDERS, ALLOWING FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CLIENT'S CIRCUMSTANCES. ORGANIZATIONS CAN COLLABORATE ON INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLANS THAT ADDRESS IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHILE SUPPORTING LONG-TERM GOALS LIKE EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING STABILITY, AND MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY. THIS INTEGRATED CARE MODEL ENSURES THAT NO ASPECT OF A CLIENT'S SITUATION FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS.3. REDUCTION IN SERVICE DUPLICATIONWITH A CENTRALIZED SYSTEM, CASEWORKERS CAN SEE WHAT SERVICES A CLIENT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED AND WHICH AGENCIES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. THIS ELIMINATES REDUNDANT SERVICES, SAVING VALUABLE RESOURCES AND STAFF TIME. IT ALSO HELPS NONPROFITS ALLOCATE THEIR LIMITED FUNDING MORE STRATEGICALLY, ENSURING BROADER AND MORE EQUITABLE COMMUNITY IMPACT.4. STRONGER DATA FOR FUNDING AND ADVOCACYA SHARED SYSTEM GENERATES ACCURATE, AGGREGATED DATA ACROSS THE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS. THIS DATA CAN BE USED TO DEMONSTRATE COLLECTIVE IMPACT, IDENTIFY SERVICE GAPS, TRACK TRENDS, AND MAKE DATA-INFORMED DECISIONS. FUNDERS AND POLICYMAKERS INCREASINGLY SEEK EVIDENCE OF COLLABORATION AND EFFICIENCY-MAKING SHARED CASE MANAGEMENT A KEY ASSET IN SECURING GRANTS AND SUPPORT.5. STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY OUTCOMESULTIMATELY, THE GREATEST BENEFIT IS TO THE COMMUNITY ITSELF. WHEN NONPROFITS OPERATE AS A CONNECTED ECOSYSTEM RATHER THAN ISOLATED SILOS, CLIENTS RECEIVE FASTER, MORE EFFECTIVE, AND MORE DIGNIFIED SUPPORT. THE SHARED CASE MANAGEMENT MODEL HELPS TRANSFORM REACTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY INTO PROACTIVE, STRATEGIC CHANGE IS LEADING TO HEALTHIER, MORE STABLE, AND EMPOWERED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE ADVISOR (CRA) PROGRAM PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY CONNECTING THEM WITH THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS THEY NEED TO OVERCOME BARRIERS AND ACHIEVE STABILITY. SERVING AS A CENTRAL ACCESS POINT, THE CRA ACTS AS BOTH A GUIDE AND ADVOCATE-ENSURING THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT NAVIGATING HARDSHIP ALONE.THROUGH PERSONALIZED, ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, COMMUNITY RESOURCE ADVISOR HELP CLIENTS IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND PROVIDE DIRECT REFERRALS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING FOOD ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SUPPORT, UTILITY RELIEF, HEALTHCARE ACCESS, JOB TRAINING, CHILDCARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. ADVISORS WORK CLOSELY WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE EACH REFERRAL IS TIMELY, RELEVANT, AND RELIABLE.THIS TRUSTED, HUMAN-CENTERED APPROACH REDUCES THE FRUSTRATION AND DELAYS OFTEN EXPERIENCED BY INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO NAVIGATE COMPLEX SYSTEMS OF CARE. WHETHER SOMEONE IS FACING A TEMPORARY CRISIS OR LONG-TERM INSTABILITY, THE CRA PROGRAM ENSURES THEY ARE CONNECTED TO A FULL CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT, HELPING THEM TAKE MEANINGFUL STEPS TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY.BY STREAMLINING ACCESS TO RESOURCES, REDUCING SERVICE DUPLICATION, AND FOSTERING STRONGER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE ADVISOR PROGRAM SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCES COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. IT REPRESENTS AN ESSENTIAL FRONTLINE SOLUTION IN BUILDING A MORE RESPONSIVE, INCLUSIVE, AND SUPPORTIVE SOCIAL SERVICES NETWORK.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$2.7M
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