Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana expands mission to serve more families with infants and toddlers at renovated Portage Club

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana is breaking new ground by expanding its traditional after-school model to include daytime resources for parents of infants and toddlers. A new partnership with First Things First Porter County is creating a pilot program at the Portage Club that will transform morning hours into a vibrant family resource hub. 

“Long before a child enters the formal classroom, their future is already taking shape,” said Mary Jane Eisenhauer, EdD, Executive Director, First Things First Porter County. “During the first 1,000 days, the brain grows fastest and relationships matter most. A child’s earliest experiences, beginning before birth, shape how they grow, learn and connect with the world. At First Things First Porter County, we know that when families are supported early, children and our entire community are stronger for it.” 

The First Things First model is designed specifically for parents with children ages 0 to 3. The initiative transforms underutilized morning hours into a space for prenatal support, developmental guidance and community connection. The goal is to create a safe, unintimidating space where families feel comfortable bringing their children while meeting other parents going through the same experiences. 

“This is an amazing opportunity to utilize our space to support the family as a whole,” said Ashley Luptak, Director of Philanthropy for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. “While our primary mission has always been after-school care, we realize that our facilities sit quietly during the morning and early afternoon. By opening our doors to this initiative, we are maximizing our reach to the community and ensuring that the Club is a partner in their family’s development.” 

The program centers on a major renovation of the Portage Club, one of the organization’s oldest facility. Upgrades include a teaching kitchen, a community room and specialized furniture for babies and toddlers. When the project finishes this spring, the Club will partner with HealthLinc and CoAction to host weekly workshops, including baby-friendly cooking classes, pediatric dental sessions and affordable housing seminars.

“The Portage Club is becoming so much more than an after-school youth space,” said Gerald Watt, Portage Club Director. “My vision is for this building to be a true community hub — active from morning to night — where babies take their first steps, parents feel supported, seniors find connection and purpose, and every generation feels this is their place. This building has the power to bring generations together in meaningful ways — and that’s incredibly exciting.”  

The First Things First Porter County-funded program simplifies early childhood support by bringing essential services together at the Portage Club. New and expectant parents often struggle with fragmented systems that require forced trips to multiple locations for medical, social and educational resources. The program removes the stress of navigating disconnected organizations and provides a free, one-stop hub for a family’s needs.

“You can feel so overwhelmed by the fact that you have to go to seven different providers to get answers, information and resources,” Luptak said. “It can be overwhelming, and that’s simply because you do not have the time or the energy to do that as a new parent.” 

The initiative also bridges the generational gap by welcoming senior citizens into the daily life of the Portage Club. Local retirees are invited to use the new kitchen and common areas for socializing and to serve as mentors to the Club’s youngest members. These volunteers help create a support network that benefits both generations through learning, connecting and growing.

“There is so much opportunity in the community that we want to tap into,” Luptak said. “Our Club Director sees this opportunity for senior citizens in the community to come into our Club and utilize the space. We thought about how we could best build upon the space to include multi-generational members and people of all ages and creeds.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana has retained its legacy as a trusted community fixture since the 1950s to bridge critical service gaps. Leadership continues to prioritize proactive outreach to ensure families stay informed about evolving resources. The Portage Club’s First Things First initiative serves as a pilot for a regional blueprint. The Club hopes to expand early childhood support, including high-quality care and essential services, to additional Clubs throughout Lake and Porter counties.

“I’ve always been passionate about leveling the playing field for our kids,”  said Denise Koebcke, Vice President of Philanthropy, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI. “An infant’s first 1,000 days are crucial to brain development, which is why we are excited to partner with First Things First to build a multigenerational hub at our Portage Club. This space allows us to serve the entire family by creating a ‘wrap-around’ impact in our community.”

The first three years of life are a critical window for growth, as a baby’s brain forms over 1 million neural connections every second. With 80% of brain development occurring before age 3, these early experiences create the foundation for lifelong health and success. Research shows that every $1 invested in these early years yields a $13 return for the community. By prioritizing its youngest members now, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana is building a strong, healthy future for the entire region. 

Discover how the First Things First Porter County program is transforming early childhood support in our community. To learn more about upcoming workshops, Club renovations and partnership opportunities, visit bgcgreaternwi.org or call 219-764-2582.