Alternatives to Bridging the Gap (Alternatives), a 2018 Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) grantee, provides opportunities for children to grow academically, spiritually and emotionally. Children struggling emotionally have a difficult time transitioning into adulthood.

Alternatives offers two specific components to help children with emotional difficulties:

  1. Always Providing Promise (APPs) is a group counseling/mentoring program. Young adults have an opportunity to grow spiritually and emotionally and then pass this growth onto teenagers.
  2. The Garden, where young adults get to plan and implement a garden where the produce is donated to the Food Bank of NW Indiana. The garden workers learn the value of hard work and helping others in need.


The primary goal of Alternatives is to assist children and teenagers with the transition to adulthood and to increase academic success in the regular school curriculum. Children behind in their academics or experiencing emotional difficulties are the ideal candidates for Alternatives, as they can find the nurturing and support they need to be successful.

To learn more about Alternatives, click here.