This story is part of a series on 1st Source Foundation’s grant program. Learn more about the program and the impact it has on communities across Northern Indiana here: https://laportecounty.life/article/1st-source-foundation-and-1st-source-bank-work-together-to-create-a-better-community-for-all/.
Citizens Concerned for the Homeless’ (CCH) Sand Castle Shelter has been serving La Porte’s most vulnerable population for the past 30 years by providing 30-45 day residential programs for those experiencing homelessness. After three decades of service in a 110-year-old building, the Sand Castle Shelter was in need of renovation.
“This building is 110 years old, and it's starting to show its age,” said Jim Musial, executive director of CCH. “We decided to renovate not in increments but all at once so that this will survive and provide a valuable service for the next few decades to come.”
In 2022, CCH’s renovations began with a remodel of the Sand Castle Shelter’s exterior. It was during this project that Musial and the team received their first $40,000 grant from 1st Source Foundation. When it came time for their interior renovations to complete the building renovations, the shelter was graciously awarded another $40,000 grant.
“1st Source Foundation appreciates the folks at Sand Castle Shelter and Citizens Concerned for the Homeless and the work they do to provide shelter and human services to those most vulnerable in our community,” said Matt Vessely, West Region President at 1st Source Bank. “Their programs address the extensive issues that are often aligned with homelessness, and they help to get people back on their feet.”
Work on Sand Castle Shelter’s interior is extensive and will help to keep the shelter open for years to come. This includes redoing the plumbing, replacing lighting fixtures and outlets, and updating the floor plan to better serve the needs of its clients, volunteers, and visitors among other needed maintenance. Throughout the project, CCH is making sure to work with other organizations so that the people it serves still have a place to go.
“It would be easiest to just shut down the shelter for the 2 1/2 months it's going to take for this project, but that’s not good enough for me,” said Musial. “We're talking about families, mostly single women with children. We can't just put them out on the street. Instead, we’re working with Baymont by Wyndham Michigan City to put all of our families in hotel rooms. Additionally, our operations director, Tammy Rosebaum, will be going over their own daily basis. So the families continue their progress.”
Sand Castle Shelter’s programming goes beyond just providing a meal and bed. Musial and his team are dedicated to pulling people out of homelessness by providing comprehensive support and accountability. This helps clients not only leave homelessness but also provides them with the skills they need to avoid falling back into it.
“We have a program called the Grace Learning Center right next door that offers 23 classes per month, all of which address issues related to homelessness,” Musial said. “We do this through a program we call collective impact.”
For CCH, collective impact involves partnering with other local organizations, such as Goodwill and Purdue Extension - LaPorte County, to prepare clients for success with classes on topics such as job readiness, basic and intermediate computer skills, and financial literacy.
“It's all about the women and children and what we can do to make their lives more comfortable while at the same time empowering them to go out, eliminate their barriers, and return to sustainable self-sufficiency,” said Musial. “We're not satisfied with them leaving the shelter and finding an apartment – we're satisfied with them leaving the shelter and finding permanent housing and the tools necessary to keep it.”
On top of operating the Sand Castle Shelter, Citizens Concerned for the Homeless offers a variety of programs and services ranging from food rescue to holiday events for the most vulnerable in our communities If you’re interested in learning more, volunteering, or donating to support its mission, visit cch-mc.org.
1st Source Foundation helps fund local projects making a significant impact on their community. Those interested in applying for a grant should visit 1st Source Foundation’s page to learn about eligibility, application requirements, and more.
