NEO Creekside Early Learning Center receives major boost from United Way Northwest Indiana partnership

On Sunday, August 11, United Way Northwest Indiana presented a significant check at Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities (NEO) Creekside Early Learning Center in Portage. 

The event highlighted Creekside's role in the Rising Up capital campaign and its alignment with United Way's strategic goals to boost financial stability and education in Northwest Indiana. 

NEO Executive Director Rebecca Reiner, who served as the emcee, opened the program with remarks. This set the stage for NEO Instructor JuliAnn Nisevich who expressed her excitement for the event. 

"This is our first Back to School Bash, and we plan to make it an annual event that grows bigger and better each year," Nisevich said. "I'm deeply grateful for everyone’s presence today, as I’m excited to share details about the Rising Up campaign, which was a key factor in my involvement with this event."

NEO’s Rising Up program provides students with training and pathways to careers in early childhood education, emphasizing the critical role that donations play in supporting its campaign.

"The Rising Up campaign is the driving force behind the development of Creekside Early Learning Center," Nisevich said. "It's a $2.2 million initiative, and thanks to the incredible support of generous donors and grants we’ve already raised $1.7 million, which is truly remarkable. However, we can't do it alone. While we are a small but dedicated team, we need everyone’s continued support to reach our goal."

President and CEO of United Way Northwest Indiana Adam O’Doherty highlighted that the project was a perfect fit due to the long-standing partnership with NEO.

"We were presented with an opportunity to secure substantial funding for our local initiatives," said O’Doherty. "Immediately, Reiner came to mind, determined to find a way to obtain these funds. The effort she put into getting the funding was tremendous. She navigated complex processes and faced demanding boards that scrutinized her every move. Despite the challenges, she stood her ground and advocated fiercely for improving access to quality, affordable childcare for the children here and beyond."

Reiner admitted she was nervous about how she would secure the funding until she spoke with O'Doherty.

"The $1.7 million was only raised in the past two months thanks to the support we received from O’Doherty," said Nisevich. "I often wondered how we would secure the funds, feeling overwhelmed as a small nonprofit. Then, O’Doherty informed me about a grant opportunity and expressed confidence that our longstanding partnership with United Way Northwest Indiana and our mission aligned perfectly with this project."

Nisevich emphasized the importance of education in Portage, acknowledging past challenges while expressing NEO’s ongoing efforts to create brighter futures for students.

"The childcare situation in Portage and surrounding communities is concerning," Nisevich said. "Many children aren’t receiving quality care, and parents lack access to affordable, good quality options. We’re working to change that by providing up to 130 spaces for children, with 50% reserved for families in financial need. This is a significant step forward, and every single dollar donated makes a difference."

NEO also announced that tours of the facility are scheduled for the fall, inviting the community to see the progress and learn more about their initiatives.

"We have many exciting activities planned for this fall that you can see on our website," said Reiner. "Although the site is still a bit dusty, it's shaping up to be the Creekside Early Learning Center—a top-notch facility for quality childcare. We’re also offering training in early childhood education, which is a fantastic opportunity."

For more information visit neoadulted.org/rising-up.