Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) has a clear mission, and that is to better East Chicago! FEC is dedicated to improving the lives of East Chicago residents through scholarships and grants to non-profit organizations that focus on bettering the quality of life of the community. Every year, FEC has two grant cycles—the Program Grants and General Operating Grants. This past March, FEC wrapped up the 2019 Program Grant cycle and is happy to announce that $769,012 was awarded to local organizations!
Program Grants – are annual grants that are directed to support specific programs that meet FEC priorities. Programs must have a definitive plan with measurable outcomes and must have an operational plan that demonstrates potential for success. Grant recipients were selected based on applications submitted during the program grant round that support at least one of FEC’s focus areas: educational/job training, community enrichment, health and safety.
This was a competitive process and the 2019 grant awards best reflect the vision and mission of FEC focused on enriching the lives of East Chicago residents of all ages. We are thrilled at the level of interest and the quality of the grant requests we received. This year’s grants were chosen from among 46 applications submitted requesting over $1,227,184.06 in funding requests.
Agencies selected addressed a broad range of community needs including the arts, education, job training, resources for food, and shelter and healthy living. We encourage everyone to join us in supporting these grantees as they strive to make a difference in our community.
The Foundations of East Chicago awarded grants to the following organizations:
Ancilla Systems Incorporated – Enhancing Care for At-Risk Children. Staff members will expand their professional training through this earn-to-learn opportunity. For additional information, please contact Jean Bowman at 219-616-8845 or by email at jbowman@nazarethhome.com. Or visit their website at http://www.nazarethhome.com.
Bishop Noll Institute – Bishop Noll Institute Summer Enrichment Program. This camp will offer educational opportunities for children from preschool through 8th grade. For additional information, please contact Mary Ellen O’Neill at 219-932-9058 or by email at moneill@bishopnoll.org. Or visit their website at http://www.bishopnoll.org.
Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus – Social Skills and Problem Solving Training Program. This program will serve Carmelite residents from the ages of 5-18. For additional information, please contact Pat Giannini at 219-742-5017 or by email at pgiannini946@comcast.net. Or visit their website at http://www.carmelitehome.org.
Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center – Wiz Kids After School Club. The Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center has a STEM room. This program will expand the tenets of the STEM room by purchasing additional materials to support exploration and inquiry in the room. For additional information, please contact Erica Glenn at 219-391-4172 or my email at eglenn@ecps.org. Or visit their website at http://gosch.scec.k12.in.us
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, Inc – Homeless Prevention and Immigration Services. Catholic Charities provides and advocates for the physical, emotional and social needs of the poor and vulnerable. For additional information, please contact LaShawn Jones-Taylor at 219-397-5803 or by email at ljtaylor@catholic-charities.org. Or visit their website at http://www.catholic-charities.org.
Communities in Schools of East Chicago, Inc. – Charting for Success. Will provide a comprehensive program of college and career readiness for 75 students in grades 8 through 12 at various East Chicago Schools. For additional information, please contact Patricia Simes at 219-378-9114 or by email at p.simes@cisoflc.org. Or visit their website at http://www.cislakecounty.org.
Compassion in Action, Inc. – HOPE: Helping Our People Entirely. This program is geared towards awareness and assistance to the mental health and suicide prevention of the youth of our community and their families. For additional information, please contact Adriana Guevara at 219-789-3554 or by email at aguevara831@gmail.com. Or visit their website at http://www.facebook.com/compassioninaction425.
East Chicago Public Library – Showtime at Your Library. This program will feature a variety of classes and events that aim to push and promote lifelong learning. For additional information, please contact Lacey Klemm at 219-397-2453 or by email at lklemm@ecpl.org. Or visit their website at http://www.ecpl.org.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Leadership Camp Scholarships. Hosted at Taylor University (Upland, IN) from July 15-17, 2019, Leadership Camp is designed for student-athletes, students, huddle coaches, and adult volunteers who serve as FCA leaders at their local schools. For additional information, please contact Scott Staal at 219-252-8755 or by email at sstaal@fca.org. Or visit their website at http://nwindianafca.org.
First Baptist Church, Inc. – Break the Silence Stop the Violence. This program is designed to bring awareness to youth and build trust with the law enforcement community. The program stresses the importance of community involvement and to minimize crime in neighborhoods. For additional information, please contact Pastor Douglas Sloss at 317-724-9632 or by email at pastorsloss@aol.com. Or visit their website at http://FBC-EC.ORG.
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana – GirlSpace East Chicago Healthy Living. Healthy Living is a key component of GirlSpace East Chicago, which is a year round after school program that puts at-risk girls on the path to a positive future. Girls build skills that are essential for school and life success. For additional information, please contact Cheryl Zminda at 312-912-6340 or by email at czminda@girlscoutsgcnwi.org. Or visit their website at http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.
Girls on the Run of NWI, Inc. – 2019 East Chicago Girls on the Run Teams. This program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. For additional information, please contact Jacqueline Weber at 219-775-7246 or by email at jacqueline.weber@girlsontherun.org. Or visit their website at http://www.gotrofnwi.org.
Grace Beyond Borders, NWI, Inc. – Ready Life – Ending Homelessness. This program will continue to address homelessness in East Chicago. For additional information, please contact Marcus Martin at 219-712-5192 or by email at mmminc53@gmail.com. Or visit their website at http://www.thefaceofgrace.org.
Grace Missionary Baptist Church – Grace Education: Computers, Careers and History. This program will include the following: introductions to computer classes for senior citizens, one career preparation class for high school students, and one history class for a mixed age audience. For additional information, please contact Marcia Smith-Woodard at 317-809-6712 or by email at gracembceci@gmail.com.
Greater Destiny Bible Church – Safe Summer Enrichment Camp. To provide enriching and productive programs that will impact the lives of the youth in the city of East Chicago. For additional information, please contact Pastor Kelly Williams at 219-545-2361 or by email at pastorkbwsr@gmail.com.
Haven House, Inc. – Emergency Shelter. The primary purpose of Haven House is to provide safe housing to adult and child victims of domestic violence and to assist them in breaking the cycle of violence through education, counseling, advocacy, referral and skill-building techniques. For additional information, please contact Candace Jorden at 219-931-9800 or by email at havenhousedvs@aol.com. Or visit their website at http://havenhouse.org.
Healthlinc, Inc. – Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer 2019. Healthlinc will utilize the funds to continue to cover the cost of colonoscopies for uninsured patients who have an abnormal Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kit result. For additional information, please contact April Currier at 219-413-5100 or by email at acurrier@healthlincchc.org. Or visit their website at http://Healthlincchc.org.
Healthy East Chicago, Inc. – East Chicago MOMS Taking Charge. Provide comprehensive support services to the women that come to Moms Taking Charge so they can guarantee a safe and healthy environment for themselves and their children. For additional information, please contact Joy Berry at 219-670-4118 or by email at jberry@healthyec.org.
Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center – Connecting Classroom Lessons with the Natural World. Students will have the opportunity to look at things in a different way as they venture out of their classrooms for real-world inquiry and problem-solving. For additional information, please contact Michelle Krueger at 219-395-9555 or by email at mkrueger@duneslearningcenter.org. Or visit their website at http://duneslearningcenter.org.
International Institute of NWI, Inc. – Civic Educational Project. The objective of the “Civic Education Project“ is to benefit low/moderate income persons with an emphasis on family support and development, while creating the means of improving quality of life in East Chicago. Priorities of this program include: Immigration Counseling, ESL programming, Adult Education/Citizenship, Mentoring (DACA clients) and tutoring. For additional information, please contact Roger Cavazos at 219-902-2727 or by email at rogerc4020@gmail.com. Or visit their website at http://www.icanwi.org.
Lake Area United Way, Inc. (LAUW) – United for Tomorrow by Investing in Parents & Children Today. Through this program, LAUW will provide childcare vouchers for level 3 or 4 Paths to Quality providers to low income working families. This support will assist them in accessing and completing post-secondary educational programs, leading to higher paying jobs and decreasing their reliance on community supports. For additional information, please contact Brandi Adams at 219-923-2302 or by email at badams@lauw.org. Or visit their website at http://www.lauw.org.
Leon Kendrick Youth Voices United – Visual & Performing Arts Program 2019. The Visual & Performing Arts Program will introduce or enrich youth in the Visual & Performing Arts. This will include music, arts, theater and dance. For additional information, please contact Serrita Davis at 219-213-8012 or by email at serritadavis@gmail.com. Or visit their website at http://www.lkyvu.org.
Meals on Wheels of NWI, Inc. – Healthy Hot Meals for East Chicago Elderly. Meals on Wheels (MOW) will create and deliver 30,000 hot, healthy, balanced meals to seniors and children in need in East Chicago (EC). For additional information, please contact Rachel Hurst at 219-756-3663 or by email at rachel@mownwi.org. Or visit their website at http://www.mownwi.org.
Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana – Ready to Soar East Chicago – School Readiness Academy. Ready to Soar is a school readiness and transition program for incoming kindergarten children, their parents and their schools provided through both school and home-based services as they prepare together to enter kindergarten. For additional information, please contact Kimberly Smith at 219-937-7733 or by email at ksmith@mhanwi.org. Or visit their website at http://www.mhanwi.org.
Mission of Jesus Christ Non-Denominational Church – Alternatives to Bridging the Gap (Alternatives). The goal of Alternatives is to provide an array of opportunities for children and young adults designed to enhance their overall educational and emotional growth. For additional information, please contact Eric Dahl at 219-677-2810 or by email at dahlehudson@att.net.
New Twin City Alliance – Youth Empowerment Program. YEP participants will work in jobs as determined by various supervisors. Examples include teacher aide in the Summer Star program; teacher aide in Alternatives; teacher aid in local day care centers; maintenance assistant in various locations; assist with food bank implementation, etc. For additional information, please contact Reverend Willie Johnson at 219-398-9810 or by email at revwillie@yahoo.com.
Purdue University – Camp Leo Emerging Scholars Program. This is an overnight two-day summer academic enrichment program that is designed for East Chicago high school students to take part in the college academic life at PNW. For additional information, please contact Jimmie Sanders at 219-989-2460 or by email at jlsande@pnw.edu.
Saint Stanislaus School – Budding Scientists. Students in grades Kindergarten through 4th will learn basic science skills using a STEM curriculum. For additional information, please contact Anne Ruiz at 219-398-1316 or by email at aruiz@ststansec.org. Or visit their website at http://www.ststansec.org.
Salvation Army – Heartline Feeding Program. This program is a vital resource to many in the East Chicago community. Five days a week, a hot lunch is offered to an average of 80 people. For additional information, please contact Leta Marin at 219-308-1575 or by email at Leta_Marin@usc.salvationarmy.org. Or visit their website at http://salarmyeastchicago.org.
Teens in Action, Inc – Math and Science Self Defense. Teens in Action will continue their annual math camp along with self-defense. For additional information, please contact Bridgette Spann-Edward at 219-397-5771 or by email at teens-in-action@hotmail.com.
Top 20, Inc. – Top 20 II Dance and Mentoring Program. The Top 20 II Dance & Mentoring Program, developed with input from Indiana University, is designed to prepare school-aged students to make constructive life choices and empower them to become productive members of society. For additional information, please contact Carolyn Upshaw-Royal at 517-349-1312 or by email at upshawroyal@aol.com. Or visit their website at http://www.top20inc.org.
United Charitable – Athletes for Charity. Athletes for Charity will implement two STEM Programs for youth in East Chicago: (1) a STEM + Literacy Program for grades K – 5 at a select elementary school to take place during the school day and (2) a Girls + STEM Squad. For additional information, please contact Cathleen Laporte at 917-714-2131 or by email at cathleen@athletesforcharity.com. Or visit their website at http://www.athletesforcharity.com.
We Care from the Heart, Inc. – Caring Hearts Elder Care/Disabled Homecare Service Program. This program is designed to assist low income East Chicago senior/disabled residents. For additional information, please contact Kim Hunt at 219-933-7111 or by email at ecwcfth@yahoo.com. Or visit their website at http://www.carefromtheheart.org.
Witnessing Community Development Corp – 2 Hearts 1 Beat Marriage Seminar. This program will provide workshops which will include couple counseling, marriage and children, building trust in marriage, marriage and money and other topics. For additional information, please contact Carolyn Cobb at 219-455-9602 or by email at carolyncobb736@yahoo.com. Or visit their website at http://eddiecobb1777@gmail.com.
