Jasper Newton Foundation is partnering with the United Way Northwest Indiana to create stability and financial well-being for neighbors in Jasper and Newton Counties.
Level Up, a 12- to 18-month program offering financial education, skills training, and support in tapping into essential resources for building a brighter economic future, will be provided to residents through the collaboration between the two nonprofits.
“We need great partners like United Way to help our residents break barriers and thrive,” said Brienne Hooker, executive director of Jasper Newton Foundation. “Funding through the Second Chance Fund, established by one of our generous donors, will sustain this critical support opportunity for residents in both counties to realize their potential, obtain necessary training and education, and launch into the next part of their lives.
“We’re really excited about this partnership opportunity to bring Level Up to the residents of Jasper and Newton counties,” she added.
The $375,000 in funding will be used in part to hire additional community navigators, staff who provide frontline assistance to individuals and families in need of immediate support by connecting them to the resources they need.
Through these interactions, community navigators can also help identify residents who would benefit from Level Up programming, intended to create the kind of financial stability that leaves them less vulnerable in the face of costly emergencies.
“In Northwest Indiana, one in three households can’t afford basic needs such as childcare, housing, food, and transportation,” said Adam O’Doherty, president and CEO of United Way Northwest Indiana. “We’re working on expanding our services to meet residents where they are at.”
United Way Northwest Indiana hopes to have graduated 1,000 residents from Level Up’s financial wellness and career training program by the end of 2025.
Level Up’s one-on-one financial mentoring supports each individual’s needs and goals, improving access to well-paying jobs and promising career pathways. Financial and social-emotional support are also provided to help clients overcome obstacles to securing and maintaining employment.
Residents must live and work in one of the counties United Way Northwest Indiana serves (Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter, or Starke), have reliable transportation, and meet a minimum income requirement.
Apply to become a part of the Level Up program or learn more here:
www.unitedwaynwi.org/level-up.
