PORTER COUNTY | Denise Koebcke calls herself a catalyst. The folks at Prevent Child Abuse of Porter County call her a hero.

Koebcke received the Hero for Children Award 2007 that recognizes individuals who've demonstrated concern and care for children and youth in Porter County. A media specialist for Valparaiso schools, Koebcke partnered with The Ophelia Project in bringing the Creating A Safe School LEADership Program to Valparaiso.

Prevent Child Abuse of Porter County is looking for more heroes.

Nominations are due Monday for the Hero for Children Award 2007. Entries should be submitted in writing and be no more than 500 words.

This is the sixth year for the award, which will be presented at the group's Spring Carnival Gala on April 5 at Old Town Banquet Center, 711 N. Calumet Ave., Valparaiso.

Nominees should be people who've devoted selfless time to improving the lives of children beyond family or workplace responsibilities, who demonstrate creativity and a willingness to respond to the needs of children, who serve in areas that are less attractive to others but are invaluable to a child's learning or support system, and who are an inspiration and role model to children.

Koebcke and Tim Kunstek, who received the award in 2006 for his work at Aylesworth Elementary School in Portage, fit that bill.

Kunstek, who was the home-school adviser at the elementary school, is now director of student services at Portage High School. He works with many students who have behavior issues or other problems. He has 20 years experience in the mental health field.

"I got into counseling and early intervention to help these kids before they get into trouble" with law enforcement and the courts, he said. "I work on the emotional and social issues the high school students are facing."

Getting the students to talk about their issues isn't always easy, but Kunstek said it's rewarding when he knows he has made a difference.

"Not every day a child wants to talk about their abuse," Kunstek said. "You have to find those windows of opportunity."

Koebcke formerly taught seventh-grade English. She said she knew something was wrong when her students continually came to class in tears.

"They certainly weren't concentrating on English," she said. "There were so many social issues going on."

She initially took a class period to talk with her students about issues such as gossip and the Internet. She also was adviser to the school's student council and sought out various groups to work with the students. That led to creation of the local CASS LEADership program.

"Without all of those people coming together, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish anything," she said.

If you go:

Prevent Child Abuse of Porter County will have its annual charity ball fundraiser, the Spring Carnival Gala, beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 5 at Old Towne Banquet Center, 711 N. Calumet Ave., Valparaiso. This charity ball will include carnival games, Wii games and casino games. Entertainer J Jay Brooks will emcee the event. Seating is limited. The cost is $50 per person. Reservations can be sent to Prevent Child Abuse of Porter County, P.O. Box 1846, Valparaiso, IN 46384-1846. The group is seeking donations for its silent auction.

FYI: Call (219) 531-9012.

Nominate a hero:

Nominations for the Hero for Children Award 2008 should be mailed to Prevent Child Abuse of Porter County, in care of Becky Kirkpatrick, 506 N. Franklin St., Valparaiso, IN 46383; e-mailed to rkirkpatrick@mail.valpo.k12.in.us; or faxed to (219) 531-3164. Nominations must be received by Monday.

FYI: Call Becky Kirkpatrick at (219) 464-0441 or Cheryl Polarek at (219) 465-3415.