Northwest Indiana citizens, regardless of economic hardships, always seem to dig deep to help those in need. They often don't know they don't need to dig quite so deep to make a difference.
Battered and homeless women and children touch the hearts of our communities because their need is so great. Sometimes women must flee her home in the middle of the night with only her children and the clothes on their backs.
Shelters and training centers have formed in Lake and Porter counties where these women are not judged, but helped.
Like all programs, even those covered partially by some religious or government funding, theses shelters and centers can't keep up with operating costs. They all rely on the public to keep them open.
Many organizations receive United Way support. Dave Sikes, director of allocations, said gifts to United Way can be allocated to a specific group. Harry J. Vande Velde III, CEO and president of the Legacy Foundation, says he has donors who offer support in trusts or endowment funds to many shelters.
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"When people make an endowment that can be invested for the group, it is truly a gift that will keep on giving to that organization," Vande Velde said.
It's daily community donations that may be the greatest benefit.
Two of these places are St. Jude House in Crown Point and Sojourner Truth House in Gary. They serve separate but essential functions for victims.
Their ministries just want to help, regardless of victims' location or religion.
Both sites have several annual fundraisers, such as walks.
This year, St. Jude House will be one of the charities funded by the First Look for Charity black-tie gala that will preview the Chicago Auto Show for donations of $250.
In the fall, Sojouner Truth House will have a Nazareth Home Gala. No black ties, no dinners, no flowers — and the donation is tax-deductible.
"We're starting our 14th year here at Sojourner Truth House and so many good things are happening," said Sister Peg Spindler, executive director. "What clients have experienced before they come to Sojourner Truth House has not been good, but what happens to them while they're with us is often amazing, and that's what keeps us all coming here every day.
"Our holistic embrace of each woman and her children not only includes basic needs like food, but also provides intense educational and life skills groups. Clients learn to deal with the issues they've faced in life and fit back into society in a more positive way.
"A woman who comes through our doors beaten down by life is the woman who may eventually have her GED, a better sense of parenting, or her anger under control," Spindler said. "She may have a resume or a school schedule in hand, but most importantly she has a new lease on life."
Joy Heminger is excited that St. Jude House is celebrating its 15th year.
"Of course none of this can be accomplished without the financial help of the community, and it is so important that the work of all our agencies continue to try and end this cycle for the next generation," said Hemminger, director of community awareness at St. Jude House in Crown Point.
Donations of volunteer hours are almost as good as money, and an old cell phone donated can make a difference for a battered woman, who can call 911 for help.
Donating clothing a woman could wear to her first job interview is priceless.
"Gift cards for grocery, gas and stores like Target and Meijer, even just for $10, makes a huge difference," Heminger said.
"We can't even imagine what a set of clean sheets, a blanket, warm jammies for their babies and a clean, cuddly toy for the child to sleep with can mean to a mother who has had the nerve to leave an abusive home," she said.
"If someone feels like their little bit won't matter, they could not be more wrong," Heminger said. "Every little bit helps.
