2025 Funded Projects

"We Can Help" Counseling

Bashor Children’s Home in Goshen, Indiana, received $5,000 to support two programs that help families in tough situations. We Can Help connects families to counseling, resources, and support for problems like substance abuse, violence, and legal issues. Solution-focused family counseling gives short-term therapy to help families solve conflicts, communicate better, and create safer homes. By helping families manage stress and build strong relationships, these programs reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Childhood Safe Sleep Education

Beacon Community Impact (BCI) at Memorial Hospital in South Bend received money to fund a program that teaches parents how to keep their babies safe while sleeping. The Childhood Safe Sleep Education Program will teach 150+ parents in one-on-one, group, and online classes about safe sleep practices using videos, a mobile app, and hands-on learning tools. Parents who finish the class will get educational materials, a survival kit, and a pack-and-play so their baby has a safe place to sleep. This program helps prevent infant deaths by making sure parents understand the dangers of unsafe sleep.

"Body Safety" for Preschoolers

The CASIE Center received $10,000 to teach body safety to Pre-K students (ages 4-5) in St. Joseph County. They already teach K-12 students how to recognize and report abuse using a trusted curriculum and want to expand their lessons to younger children. With funding, a Prevention Educator will be trained, and relationships with local preschool programs will be built so the program can reach at least 10 preschools by the end of 2025. Teaching kids about safe adults and personal boundaries at an early age helps protect them from abuse and neglect.​

Truancy Prevention, K-5

The CASIE Center helps kids stay in school and works with police, schools, and families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Their Truancy Prevention Program helps elementary students who miss too many school days by working with families and schools to get them back in class. A new law now requires schools to report students with too many absences, and CASIE is helping schools follow the law. By educating families on why school attendance is important, this program helps prevent neglect and ensures kids get the education they need to succeed.

"Body Safety"

Dunebrook has been working for 35 years to protect children and support families in LaPorte, St. Joseph, and nearby counties. They provide education, intervention, and advocacy to help prevent child abuse and online dangers. They received money to expand their Body Safety and Public Education programs, which teach K-12 students, teachers, and parents how to recognize and prevent abuse. By teaching kids how to stay safe and training adults to spot warning signs, Dunebrook helps stop abuse before it happens.

"Active Parenting of Teens"

Families First Center has been helping families in St. Joseph County since 1972 by teaching parenting skills, supporting at-risk youth, and preventing child abuse. They received funding to start a new program called “Active Parenting of Teens,” which will teach parents how to communicate with their teenagers and create a positive home environment. This program will help families handle stress, strengthen relationships, and prevent abuse and neglect by giving parents the tools to raise healthy, happy children.

"Healthy Families"

Healthy Families of St. Joseph County (HFSJC) provides home visits for new and expecting parents to help them create safe, loving homes for their children. They received $3,000 to buy pregnancy journals, which will help moms bond with their babies, track their pregnancy journey, and prepare for motherhood. The journals will be used by Home Visiting Specialists to talk to moms about baby development and emotional well-being, which helps prevent neglect and create stronger connections between moms and their babies.​

"The Brain Train"

Family & Children’s Center’s Brain Train program received $2,500 to fund monthly playgroups where parents and young children learn and grow together. Brain Train gives families a safe, fun space where kids can hear stories, do crafts, and play, while parents learn how to support their child’s brain development and build confidence in their parenting skills. By helping parents bond with their children and prepare them for school, this program reduces the risk of neglect and helps kids succeed.

Student Safety and Wellness

The Family Justice Center (FJC) of St. Joseph County provides free help for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse, including legal aid, counseling, and crisis intervention. They received $7,000 to support the Coordinator of Student Safety & Wellness at South Bend Community Schools, who helps students affected by domestic violence get mental health services and other resources. By connecting kids to support systems and helping them heal, this program prevents future cycles of abuse.

Drug Endangered Children Prevention

Cass Great Start Collaborative in Cass County, Michigan, received money to support the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Project, which helps protect kids from the dangers of drug exposure, neglect, and trafficking. The project will train schools, police, and child services workers to work together and provide better support for at-risk children. By teaching families and professionals how to recognize warning signs, this program prevents child abuse and helps keep kids safe.

Foster/Kinship/Adoptive Program

Michiana Family Center (MFC) helps foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Michiana by providing mentorship, support groups, and care teams to ensure kids in foster care have stable homes. They received $5,000 to hire a Case Manager in South Bend to expand their programs and support more families. By training volunteers, offering resources, and reducing waitlists, MFC helps foster families succeed and prevents neglect.​

Day Center Guest Services

St. Margaret’s House (SMH) is a day center in South Bend that helps women and children facing poverty, homelessness, and trauma. They received $5,000 to support their Guest Services Team, who work one-on-one with women to help them find housing, apply for jobs, and access legal aid. By giving women the resources and support they need, this program creates safer homes and reduces the risk of abuse and neglect.​

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"Triple P" Positive Parenting

Transformation Ministries (TM) in South Bend helps youth and families succeed through after-school programs, leadership training, and parenting support. In 2024, they launched the Family Empowerment Center (FEC) to offer meals, parenting classes, and financial help and now seek funding to expand services in 2025. By teaching parents how to build strong relationships with their children, this program reduces abuse and helps families create safer homes.

"The Kids on the Block"

The Youth Service Bureau of LaPorte County (YSB) helps at-risk youth and prevents child abuse through mentorship, advocacy, and education programs. Their Kids on the Block (KOB) program teaches second graders how to recognize and report abuse using puppet shows and classroom discussions. They received $2,500 to continue KOB in the 2024-2025 school year, ensuring more children know how to protect themselves and seek help when needed.​​​