Franciscan Health Crown Point to host doula workshop Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a doula certification workshop over two weekends in July, according to a release.Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth, the release said, but does not perform clinical tasks. The Franciscan Health Crown Point Family Birth Center offers free doula services to families through a volunteer doula program.
The doula certification workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. July 19-20 and July 26-27 at Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 St. Francis Drive. Participants must be 18 years old or older and attend all four days of classes to receive a certificate of completion. Registration must be completed by July 8. For more information, call 219-746-9134.
Legacy Foundation Grant Committee member Bob Spajer, left, cuts the ribbon on a new mobile library for the Franciscan Health Crown Point NICU. Joining Spajer are, from left, NICU Manager Jennifer Creighton, Legacy Foundation Grants Coordinator Kelly Baer, Northwest Indiana Literacy Council Treasurer Sharon Pratt and Northwest Indiana Literacy Council Secretary Deb Carlson. (Photo courtesy of Franciscan Health)
New vice president named at VU Valparaiso University recently announced that LeAnn Hughes will be senior vice president of enrollment and marketing, according to a release.Huighe's comes into the position after a nine-year tenure as the vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Illinois Wesleyan University. She starts at VU July 1.In this role, Hughes will oversee Undergraduate and Graduate Admission, Financial Aid, and Strategic Enrollment and Marketing Initiatives. Hughes brings 20 years of experience to the position on campus, having taken her first VP role at Tusculum University in 2005. Prior to working in enrollment management and marketing, Hughes served as the director of communications at King University, and as the director of marketing and sports development for the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce.
Valparaiso University recently announced that LeAnn Hughes will be senior vice president of enrollment and marketing. (Photo courtesy of Valparaiso University)
Gary sets May 31 Power of Partnership Parent Conference The Gary Community School Corp. will host the Power of Partnership Parent Conference, a free conference, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. May 31 at the West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St., Gary, a release said.The event will be packed with engaging sessions, exciting activities and opportunities to connect with community resources that support education and family well-being, the release said.Included in the day will be a resource fair, massages and self-care opportunities, food and a keynote address by Crystal Melton, First Lady of Gary. Childcare will be provided.Those interested in attending can secure their spot by visiting the GCSC website and completing the registration form. For information, visit www.garyschools.org or contact [email protected].
PNW Big Sell winners announced Three innovators earned investment capital for their startup concept pitches presented on May 3 during the 14th annual The PNW Big Sell pitch competition, a release said.The PNW Big Sell is sponsored by Northern Indiana Public Service Company and PNW’s College of Business and Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center. Nabil Rabie earned first place and $10,000 in seed funding for their pitch, Scent Seal. Allyson Straka earned second place and $3,000 for Frozen Garden. Paul Walczak received third place and $1,000 for Yuda, an invoicing and billing app for small service providers.
An on-demand recording of the 2025 PNW Big Sell can be viewed on jedtv.com. For more information about The PNW Big Sell, visit pnw.edu/the-pnw-big-sell.
NWI Literacy Council donates mobile library Families with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit at Franciscan Health Crown Point now have a variety of children’s books to read to their children thanks to a donation from the Northwest Indiana Literacy Council, according to a release.The new mobile lending library was donated recently by members of the Northwest Indiana Literacy Council. The mobile library was made possible in part through a $2,500 Transforming Lake County grant from the Legacy Foundation, funded by Legacy Foundation Grant Committee member Bob Spajer of Crown Point. More information about the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Crown Point and the NICU are available online or by phone at 219-757-6330.
Franciscan hosting Michigan City car seat event Franciscan Health is hosting a free car seat safety event May 29, according to a release.The event — co-hosted by the Trauma Services Department and the Prenatal Assistance Program — is scheduled to take place from 3-6 p.m. at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way.A nationally certified child passenger safety technician will work with participants to teach them how to properly install a car seat. The child who uses the car seat must be present at the appointment in order for the technician to provide appropriate guidance.The car seat safety check is free, but reservations are required, the release said. Registration is available online or by calling 219-488-1380.
Port Porter County recycling seeks project quotes The Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County is inviting qualified contractors to submit quotes for the grinding of organic brush and wood waste, along with the removal and hauling of materials from four locations within Porter County, according to a release.To provide interested parties with detailed information on the project requirements, a pre-bid meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Valparaiso Compost Site. This meeting will cover specific requirements for each location, followed by a guided site visit to Valparaiso Compost Site, Crocker/Chesterton Compost Site, Portage Compost Site and Boone Grove Compost Site.For further information, or to request additional details about the grinding/hauling process, contact the Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County via email at [email protected].
Porter County announces recruitment program The Porter County Sheriff’s Office has created a new program for full-time college students looking for part-time employment, a press release said.C-StEP is an employment opportunity designed to give the full-time college student majoring in a law enforcement-related field, real-life experience by working inside the Porter County Jail. The student must be 18 years or older and will work 24 hours per week at a rate of $17 per hour and must remain a full-time student to participate, the release said.Interested students should visit portercountysheriff.com/employment to apply and any inquiries can be sent to [email protected] or 219-477-3065.
