Indiana American Water, through the American Water Charitable Foundation, has deepened its commitment to supporting communities across Northwest Indiana by donating $10,000 to the United Way Northwest Indiana. The check presentation took place on Jan. 16, at the United Way Northwest Indiana office, where representatives from both organizations gathered to celebrate their ongoing partnership.
The donation, will support United Way Northwest Indiana’s critical programs, including its Level Up initiative, which helps working families achieve financial stability.
“We’re happy to give back through the American Water Charitable Foundation,” said Indiana American Water Northwest Operations Manager Justin Mount. “We’re always looking for ways to support the communities we serve, and United Way Northwest Indiana has been a fantastic partner throughout the years. Their programs help a lot of the individuals we serve who are struggling to get a step up and improve their livelihoods. It’s a great opportunity for us to collaborate and help people build a better future.”
United Way Northwest Indiana’s Level Up program provides a variety of services to support financial stability, including job training, wraparound services, child care, and emergency assistance. It has already seen great success in helping individuals create pathways to sustainable financial security.
“This donation will mainly go towards our Level Up program,” said United Way Northwest Indiana CEO Chris White. “In this program, we provide the support services that struggling working families need to take steps toward true financial security, whether that’s looking at additional training opportunities, providing wraparound services, or helping with child care and emergency needs.”
United Way Northwest Indiana is working to expand its First-Time Homebuyer Program, building on successful initiatives like the vendor fair held last fall. The free event provided future homeowners with resources to prepare for homeownership, including access to real estate agents, lenders, appraisers, and other industry professionals. Attendees learned about essential aspects of the home-buying process, such as down payment assistance, mortgage pre-approval, financing options, and tips for transitioning into a new home. Looking ahead, United Way Northwest Indiana plans to scale this program even further.
“Something we’re really excited about right now is launching a first-time homebuyer program,” said White.“While we’ve worked in this area before, we’re planning to implement it on a much larger scale.”
By equipping families with the tools they need to achieve financial stability, United Way Northwest Indiana continues to make homeownership an attainable goal for many in the region.
The donation from Indiana American Water will help United Way Northwest Indiana further expand its reach in the Region, where its programs have already made a significant impact.
“Thanks to the support of donors and companies like Indiana American Water, who stepped up to give back, we ended the year with 230 graduates and 238 active participants in the Level Up program,” said United Way Northwest Indiana Regional Development Executive Kelly Jernigan. “We are thrilled to partner with Indiana American Water to break the cycle of poverty in our local community. Together, we can create a path to help Indiana American Water fill some of its workforce gaps while providing our Level Up candidates with well-paying, stable, and fulfilling jobs.”
Indiana American Water is the largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility in the country, providing services to one in five Indiana residents and more than 300,000 people in Northwest Indiana alone.
“A lot of folks don’t realize how big of a presence Indiana American Water has in the region,” Mount said. “We serve communities like Gary, Merrillville, Hobart, and Winfield, providing safe drinking water for thousands of people, but being a corporate citizen means more than just providing water - we want to help our communities continue to grow and succeed.”
United Way Northwest Indiana has been a trusted resource in the community for years, addressing critical issues like education, financial stability, and health. For White, leading the organization has been a true personal mission.
“This is a dream job for me,” White said. “I’ve served on the board for the past 10 years, and being part of the growth and development of our Level Up program from its inception to where it is now has been incredibly rewarding. It’s grown into so much more than we ever imagined, and I know we’re just getting started.”
United Way Northwest Indiana and Indiana American Water are both looking to the future with determination. Together, they share a broader vision of building stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come. United Way Northwest Indiana's partnership with Indiana American Water serves as a model for how local organizations can work together to address the Region’s most pressing challenges. To learn more about United Way Northwest Indiana and Indiana American Water, check out their websites: unitedwaynwi.org and amwater.com/inaw.