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Porter County Find Help

The Center Township Trustee’s Office is here to assist our community members in finding resources and community programs to meet your unique needs. Along with information about basic needs like food, clothing, shelter and medical services, the Porter County Find Help website provides information on many resources including but not limited to addiction and recovery, mental health services, and community connections. Explore resources that are current and relevant to Porter County in the link.

Early Ed Connect

The Indiana Family and Social Services’ Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is accepting applications from families in any Indiana county who may be eligible for grants for their children to receive high-quality, prekindergarten education through the On My Way Pre-K program for the 2020-2021 school year. The program, which started as a five-county pilot and then expanded to 20 counties in 2017, became statewide in 2019.

First Contact, Inc.

First Contact, Inc. a not-for-profit interdenominational resource and referral ministry, which endeavors in the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit to assist Porter County residents in need. 2702 E. Glendale Blvd. Valparaiso, IN  46383 | (219) 462-8332

HealthLinc

HealthLinc is committed to serving you as a whole person. By following a Patient-Centered Medical Home model, HealthLinc can provide care that is coordinated, comprehensive and accessible in order to achieve improved health care outcomes and satisfaction for you and your family.

Hilltop Food Pantry

Hilltop Food Pantry provides resources, support and advocacy for food insecure individuals living in Valparaiso, IN. Please call (219) 477-4222 to schedule a drop off or pick up time.

Home Team Valpo

In partnership with the City of Valparaiso and Habitat for Humanity, Home Team Valpo is a new nonprofit organization created to assist qualifying homeowners in maintenance of their homes.

CoAction

Housing Opportunities is a community-sustained nonprofit that resolves and prevents homelessness for adults, children, and seniors in Porter and LaPorte counties. Above all, they provide hope to clients experiencing homelessness and its effects.

Indiana Legal Services

Indiana Legal Services, Inc. (ILS) is a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income residents throughout the state of Indiana.

Porter County Aging & Community Services

PCACS extends a helping hand to seniors, the disabled, and the low income by providing compassionate services to improve their quality of life while maintaining their dignity and independence.

Rental Assistance

The Rental Assistance Portal is designed to help Indiana renters living outside of Marion County whose income has been adversely affected by COVID-19 avoid eviction by connecting them with programs that can help them cover monthly rent payments or past due rent.

United Way of Porter County

United Way of Porter County is at the forefront of supporting human services that are needed most.

Assistance for Military Veterans

The mission of the Porter County Veterans Service Office is to assist veterans and their eligible family member to apply and receive all rightful veterans’ state and federal entitlements. To provide veterans information or other assistance as required.
Porter County Veteran’s Service Office: 155 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, IN  46383 |  (219) 465-3587

Employment & Education Opportunities

The Center Township Trustee’s Office has direct contact for WorkOne in Valparaiso. Please reach out to Kristi Hanson, Career Advisor at WorkOne (219) 233-8277 o arrange a personal appointment or to discuss what they have to offer.

Next Level Jobs offers Tuition FREE Certificates at IVY TECH in Valpo. Reach out to Jimmy Veal, Admissions Recruiter, (219)464-8514 ext. 4708

NEO (Neighbors Educational Opportunity) Adult Education Classes
High School Equivalency/GED, Free English Classes, Academic Skill Building for College, Career or personal goals  Tuesday & Thursday, 10am – 2pm in-person classes | Trinity Lutheran Church, 201 N. Washington, Valparaiso  Register at portal.neoadulted.org or email tvaltierra@neoadulted.org

Clothing Resources

FREE St. Paul’s Clothing Centervisits by Appt. M/T/W, 1-4 pm, Th/F 10:00 am-4pm, (219)462-0074
FREE Clothes and Prayers786 Juniper Rd., Valpo, Tues. 10am-2pm, Thurs. 6-8 pm. (219)309-0707
FREE Faith’s Closet in KoutsTues. and 1st Sat. 12:00-6:00 pm, & by appt. 207 S Main Street. (may deliver). Verify times before going. mulberryfaithscloset@gmail.com, (708)669-6359
FREE Dressed for SchoolFor children – K-5 students. 653 Hayes Leonard Road, Valpo (219) 263-0001. Spring and Fall distributions through schools or by appointment. https://www.dressedforschool.org/

  1. Buy Nothing groups on Facebook.
  2. Resale shops:
    1. *Presbyterian Resale Shop – 7 East Lincolnway, Valpo, Tuesday-Friday 10 am-3pm
    2. *The Shop Resale at First United Methodist Church, 7 Chicago Street, Valpo, Tues/Thursday 9am-3pm
    3. Able Light Resale
    4. Goodwill (half price days)

*Our office may be able to give a voucher for some clothes at some resale shops

Please verify the hours before going.

Food Pantries

Christian Food Pantry
7 Chicago Street, Valpo 46383 | Open Mon & Wed 10 am – Noon | (219) 462-5615
Bring Photo ID, Proof of Income, List of expenses. Valparaiso Residents

Hilltop Village Food Pantry
606 Union St. Valpo 46383 | V-line stop @ Union & College | Thurs. 9-11:30 am | (219) 477-4222
Bring mail or I.D. | Valparaiso Residents once a month

Immanuel Lutheran Church
1700 Monticello Pk. Dr., Valpo 46383 | Open Tues & Thurs. 1-3 pm | (219) 462-8207 ext. 223
Bring Photo ID | Must qualify for State of Indiana Guidelines | Valparaiso Residents

Valparaiso Nazarene Church DRY PANTRY
2702 Glendale Blvd., Valpo, 46383 | Open Tues & Thurs. 1-3 pm | (219) 462-2751
Get Voucher from Immanuel Lutheran first

Living Hope Church
1115Calumet Avenue, Valpo | Some Sundays 4:00 pm
Free Food pantry items | May have food to eat (Pizza)

First Baptist Church
2205 Campbell Street, Valpo | 3rd Saturday of the month, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
No requirements, no questions | Just Love + Groceries

Free Standing Pantries
Good Shepherd Church & Hilltop, etc.

Salvation Army
799 Capitol Road, Valparaiso | Tues, Wed, Thurs 1:00 – 3:00pm (pantry)
Food, Hygiene items, diapers/wipes | Bread & Pizza 9-4 daily when available | (219) 762-9191 | Attend only once a month

Foodbank Mobile Market (fresh items) Drive Up Food Pantry at various locations monthly. See monthly calendar at
https://foodbanknwi.org/Bring ID for each household represented.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program
For age 60 & older within income guidelines | Enroll at PCACS | (219) 462-1354 (application & Info)
Must Pick up monthly at Porter County Aging and Community Services Office 2nd Tuesday of month.

OrderAhead.org
Schedule Pick up at Boys and Girls Club in South Haven from lockers opened with your personal pin number. Register and choose order online at OrderAhead.org

Health Linc
Health Linc patients with specific medical diagnosis may qualify for food pick up from a locker at Health Linc.  If you are a patient at Health Linc, inquire about the program at your next appointment.

Opportunity Enterprises
Shared Table Pantry
By Appointment, Fridays 9:30 – 11:30 am | 2801 Evans Avenue, Door 6 Valparaiso, IN 46383 | (219) 548-3962 | Email: pantry@oppent.org
Porter County Resident, once a month, Valid Photo ID and proof of residency