Lerner and Rowe Gives Back partners with Sojourner Truth House for holiday giving

For many families, the holidays are filled with joy, traditions, and gifts. For others, the season can be a reminder of uncertainty and unmet needs. This winter, Lerner and Rowe Gives Back worked to change that reality, partnering with Sojourner Truth House to bring meaningful support to families in Northwest Indiana through its annual Santa Shop.

The initiative marked the first time Lerner and Rowe Gives Back shifted its traditional December giving effort from Chicago to Northwest Indiana, reflecting a growing commitment to serving communities across the Region and strengthening local partnerships.

“We wanted to be really intentional about strengthening our presence in Northwest Indiana and expanding our impact here,” said Arianna Hensley, outreach director for Lerner and Rowe Gives Back. “This partnership felt like a natural way to do that while supporting families who truly need it.”

Sojourner Truth House, based in Gary, provides transitional housing and support services for women and families working to rebuild their lives. Throughout the year, participants earn “Sojourner Bucks” by attending classes, engaging in personal development activities, and contributing positively to their community. During the holidays, they use those earned bucks at the Santa Shop to select toys, household essentials, and items for their new homes.

“It’s really empowering for the people that Sojourner Truth House is helping to know that there’s a resource there through the organization, but also to know that there are companies and people in the community who want to support them,” Hensley said. “At the same time, it’s important to preserve their dignity by allowing them to go in and shop for themselves with everything we were able to purchase for them.”

Team members at Lerner and Rowe Gives Back shopped for toys, diapers, wipes, and household items, including kitchen and bathroom essentials. They then delivered a U-Haul full of donations to Sojourner Truth House. In total, the organization contributed $5,000 worth of goods to stock the holiday store.

“Around the holidays, a lot of us are shopping online, buying gifts, and filling our carts without thinking twice about how much of a luxury that is,” Hensley said. “There are so many people who can’t do that. Some families aren’t just missing gifts under the tree—they can’t even afford the basic household items that many of us take for granted. It’s humbling, and it’s a really meaningful reminder of why giving back matters.”

The shift from a school-based gift drive in Chicago to a partnership with Sojourner Truth House was intentional, Hensley said, allowing Lerner and Rowe Gives Back to direct resources more precisely to families facing real and immediate need.

“In the past, we worked with schools to provide gifts for every child, which was meaningful,” Hensley said. “With this partnership, we know that everything we’re giving is going directly to families who are in need. It makes the impact feel deeper and more personal.”

The collaboration reflects a broader philosophy of a community partnership, where organizations work together to strengthen support systems for residents across Northwest Indiana. Sojourner Truth House and Lerner and Rowe Gives Back have continued to support one another’s initiatives, demonstrating how collaborative efforts can amplify impact. Holiday giving can be about more than generosity. It can be about empowerment, intentionality, and long-term community investment—ensuring that families not only receive support, but also feel seen, valued, and capable of shaping their own futures.

Lerner and Rowe Gives Back is the charitable foundation of Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys. Visit lernerandrowegivesback.org to learn more.

For more information about Sojourner Truth House, visit them at sojournertruthhouse.org.