Unity Foundation Celebrates Accomplishments and 2023 Community Grant Recipients

During Unity’s Annual Luncheon and Grant Celebration on October 26, Unity Foundation staff and board members gave an update on the Foundation’s work over the past year, including the Vibrant Communities of La Porte County initiative, and announced $190,000 in Power for Good Community Grants.

Board Chair Jon Gilmore spoke on the history of the community foundation and vision for the future, stating, “As Unity looks to the future, we continue to focus on the fundamental goals of building assets, strengthening operations, and collaborating with local, regional and statewide partners. We will continue to do our part in addressing complex issues that impact our quality of life.”

Unity Foundation President Maggi Spartz recognized Leigh Morris and Marti Swanson who were recently named honorary board members. She stated, “Our community owes a debt of gratitude to our entire board- current and past, and especially Marti Swanson and Leigh Morris for their decades of leadership and unselfish service to Unity Foundation, La Porte County, and our region.”

Unity Foundation Vice President Shannon Walker recognized this year’s Power for Good Community Grant Recipients and thanked Unity Foundation donors. “We appreciate the generous and visionary donors that have created or contributed to our Power for Good Fund and Community Funds that help make these grants and other community projects possible,” she said. “Unity has invested over $2.4 million in small grants to La Porte County non-profits through our Power for Good Community Grant program since the program’s inception.”

2023 Power for Good Grant Recipients and their programs receiving funding are as follows:

Advancing Christ's Kingdom Ministries-Michigan City: ThanksGIVING Turkeys
Anthony Adams House: Save Our Youth
Arts in the Park: Arts in the Park Summer Concert Series
Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County: Westville Club Expansion
Catholic Charities: Safe Haven Homeless Prevention
Citizens Concerned for the Homeless: Sand Castle Shelter for Homeless Families Renovation, Phase II
City of La Porte Police Department: Community Needs Fund
Community Food Pantry of Galena, Hudson, Kankakee, Wills Townships
Dunebrook: Child Advocacy Center
Dunes Arts Foundation: Creative Theatre Arts Program for Safe Harbor Summer Camp Students
Family Advocates: Inside Out Dads Pilot Program w/ La Porte County Jail
Fly High Youth Services: SOARING Through the Holidays
Hope Center: Helping Our People Excel - Rebuilding the Westside
Interfaith Community PADS: Emergency Shelter for Men, Women, and Children
Intrepid Phoenix: Fitness for recovery from substance abuse disorder in La Porte County
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana: Elementary Programming- Michigan City Area Schools
La Porte County Drug Free Partnership: LaPorte Crisis Intervention Team- Improving Responsiveness to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises
La Porte County Public Library: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in La Porte County
La Porte County Symphony Orchestra: Side by Side Concert with Local Music Educators
La Porte High School: SlicerTech Robotics
LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity: La Porte Build on McCollum and Woodward Street
La Porte Lake Association: Pine & Stone Lake weed treatments, lake equality and walleye stocking to our lakes
Leadership La Porte County: 2023-24 High School Leadership Program & Youth Advisory Council
LETSGO City: LETSGO Get It
Michiana Humane Society: Kitten & Puppy Foster Support
Michigan City Area Schools: "Future Wolves" Elementary Sports Program
Michigan City Art League: Bringing the love of art to everyone in the community
Michigan City Holiday Meals: Free Holiday Meals
Michigan City House of Hope
Michigan City Police Department: Community Needs Fund
North Central Community Action Agencies: Health and Hygiene for Youth
Open Door Adolescent Health Center
Open Door Community Alliance: Medication Assistance Program
Paladin: Reducing Social Isolation through Transportation Services
The Play for Jake Foundation: Meet Ready Eddy
READ La Porte County: Tutor Recruiter
Sacred Heart Food Pantry at St. Mary: Healthy Families
The Salvation Army of LaPorte Indiana: Client choice food pantry
Service League of Michigan City: Equipment Inventory Additions
Social and Learning Institute: Science & Nature Exploration
South Central Jr. Sr. High School: Engineering and Robotics Equipment Supplement
Stepping Stone Shelter for Women: Shelter Meals and Food Security Program
Trinity Episcopal Church: Trinity Community Food Pantry
Worthy Women Recovery Home: Worthy Home
Youth Service Bureau of LaPorte County: School Buddies

The following funds provided additional support for this year’s grants: La Porte County Mental Health Fund, Glick Foundation Fund for the City Of La Porte, George H. And Madeline A. Smrt West Side Neighborhood Fund, Kay Franklin Commemorative Fund, Charles Westcott Youth Fund, Polad Animal Care Endowment Fund, Barry Dulyea Arts Fund for Children, and the La Porte County Educational Advancement Fund.