Nanda Danitschek took her first breath in La Porte and has grown to be a larger part of the community ever since. In her time in "The Maple City," she has raised funds, facilitated social conversations, and enriched lives all over town.
“I see the potential of people here who want to come together and grow this town. They just don’t know how. But there is so much community here.”
Nanda graduated from Purdue North Central in December 2015. For the past five years she had been working toward her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Gender Studies. It has been tough, juggling a baby, a teenager, and a full school schedule, but she still manages to volunteer in her spare hours. Nanda attributes her success to the support of her community.
“I have such a passion for what I’m trying to do and it makes it easier to stay motivated and push through the hard times.”
Nanda came from humble beginnings so she understands the struggles of the people she helps. Poverty is a cycle and understanding privilege is the problem. She believes that a lot of people in today’s society lack the perspective of their fellow men. They do not realize that not everyone has access to the same resources.
“Politically, there is an undertone that says when we help certain people, we are keeping them down. We are so individualistic. I have so much privilege because of the adversity I have overcome and the resources I have developed. It is my responsibility, as a human being, to pass my privilege on to others.”
That is why she became involved with the LaPorte Service League. They do several charitable initiatives in the community; they have a yearly play for various school systems in Northwest Indiana, assist Meals on Wheels, conduct eye screenings, and host many other charitable events and fundraisers.
Before that, Nanda participated in Hoosier Star, a benefit similar to American Idol that raises money for the La Porte County Symphony, on two occasions. In the event, six adults and six youths compete for best vocalist. Her first year competing, she took second place. In 2010 she took first. Cheryl Edwards, the coordinator of Hoosier Star, was casting for a play for the LaPorte Service League around the same time. Edwards noticed Nanda’s talent and invited her to be Rapunzel in the production. It started with one play and grew into a commitment to serving people.
“When you have community in any group organization, it takes the stress off the individual. You take the pressure off, there is less finger pointing. It becomes about the whole picture. Any whole group is better than an individual.”
Most of Nanda’s volunteering is connected to the performing arts. Aside from her role in both the Symphony and Hoosier Star and her Service League membership, she has also put in a lot of time at the La Porte Little Theatre. For her, art is a way to relieve stress. It is an outlet. Personal experience taught her that expressive arts therapy combats the physical effects of stress on the human body.
She has also contributed to the production of Arts in the Park, a summer movie program, and the United Way of La Porte County. One line summarizes the entirety of Nanda’s mentality: “You can’t complain about these things if you aren’t going to fix it.”