There have been a wide variety of businesses, organizations, and communities that have been giving back to others and making the Region the best place it can be.
Northwest Indiana continues to grow and prosper due to the determination and relentless impact community members are making throughout the year. Those sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and we love shining a spotlight on those that go the extra mile to make the community a more positive place.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 community articles on Portage.Life to recap the good news in 2023!
Portage Youth Panel aims to bring fresh ideas, sense of togetherness to community
Portage teens are getting involved in their city, lending their voices and their perspectives to activities, events, and upcoming projects. The Portage Youth Commission provides young people with a formal role in the city's decision-making through a panel that addresses youth issues to improve quality of life, according to Norma Laboy, executive administrative assistant to mayor Sue I. Lynch, City of Portage and coordinator of the group.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana name 2023 Youth of the Year
On Thursday evening, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana celebrated the achievements of seven outstanding young Club members at its annual Youth of the Year Ceremony – the organization’s signature event and competition.
Each teen was chosen to represent the best of their Club as a leader, communicator, and student. They compete against each other in an extensive contest, where their public speaking skills, writing abilities, academic success, and community contributions are all weighed by a panel of local community leaders. Every nominee received a $1,250 scholarship, while the winner and runner-up received $5,000 and $2,500 scholarships respectively. This year, the panel named Surilynn “Suri” Desch of the Duneland Club as the winner, and Alaisha Brown of the Hammond Club as runner-up.
Portage Township YMCA kicks off fundraising campaign opener at Total Knockout Trivia
If the City of Portage could be boiled down to two main qualities, it’d be known for the community’s willingness to help one another and its willingness to have fun. That’s why the Portage Township YMCA married those traits into a single event at this year’s Total Knockout Trivia on April 13.
New learning adventure & scavenger hunt opens to families at Portage Strack & Van Til
Families visiting the Portage Strack & Van Til location over the last month might have noticed a colorful new set of signs and posters scattered throughout the store or the stack of scavenger hunt lists set out near the entrance. They might have even found Ernie the Gnome, a tiny fellow lost in the aisles.
Mayor's Youth Council runs away with another win
It may have been overcast, but the annual Mayor’s Youth Council Color Fun Run was a brilliant success. With more than double the attendees from the year prior, there was nothing but laughter and shouts of glee as almost 500 participants worked through six different color stations and six different obstacles over a 1.5-mile course.
Rittenhouse Village at Portage hosts annual Block Party for residents and community members
On Tuesday, June 27, residents, employees, family, and friends gathered outside of Rittenhouse Village at Portage for its annual Block Party. The event featured food, games, a dunk tank, and music, and had many of the residents enjoying the sunshine with welcomed guests.
Marram Health Center hosts open house at new Portage Clinic
Marram Health Center hosted an open house at its Portage clinic for board members, employees, and partners from organizations such as UnitedHealthcare. The clinic offered tours of the building, which opened last October, and celebrated the work of the office’s staff and those involved in making the location a reality.
American Water's Grant Program aims to keep clean drinking water flowing in Northwest Indiana Communities
Every drop counts. The folks at Indiana American Water are committed to protecting the environment and finding ways to use this precious resource wisely. Working to bring water and wastewater services to customers, Indiana American Water strives to help prevent pollution, promote sustainability and enhance the natural environment.
Established in 1886, American Water is the largest water and wastewater utility company in the nation. It employs more than 6,400 employees who provide water and wastewater services to some 14 million people in 24 states, including Indiana.
Robotics in the Region empower minds, brighten future for students
In the dynamic landscape of education, robotics programs have emerged as influential catalysts, offering students unparalleled opportunities to acquire essential skills and knowledge. These initiatives not only enhance students' understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts but also foster personal growth, equipping them to tackle the complexities of the world beyond textbooks.
Portage EDC's Manufacturing 360 puts turns student attention to the trades
The trades are alive and well in the City of Portage; plans for large-scale redevelopment and renovation mean there will be jobs for years in the area. From bricklayers to iron workers to plumbers, Portage has everything it needs to continue expanding in abundance, but students may not realize all of the opportunities in their own backyards.