Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana to host its debut Legacy Rising Gala this May

Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana (MHANWI) will launch its inaugural Legacy Rising Gala from 6-10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. This premier event marks a new chapter for the nonprofit as it celebrates community resilience and raises vital funds for regional mental health advocacy.

“Moving the gala to an evening event at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana reflects our commitment to bringing people together in a meaningful and accessible way,” said Andrea Sherwin, president and CEO of MHANWI. “We are incredibly grateful to Matt Schuffert and his team at Hard Rock for their gracious partnership as exclusive host sponsor. This event is about uniting our entire community around mental health—ensuring these conversations remain visible, supported, and central across all the communities we serve.”

Since its 1957 debut as a six-person advocacy group, MHANWI has grown into a powerhouse of nearly 90 professionals. Today, MHA Family Support Specialists and Parent Educators provide direct in-home care to over 85% of the agency’s program families to build protective factors for children from the prenatal stage through age 5. MHANWI is hosting the gala to celebrate these milestones and more while securing the resources needed to offset recent funding cuts.

“We made the intentional decision to evolve our Legacy Breakfast into the Legacy Rising Gala,” Sherwin said. ““Held during Mental Health Month, this event reflects both resilience and purpose—recognizing the challenges many nonprofits are navigating while reaffirming our unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. Mental health advocacy is not limited to professionals; it belongs to anyone willing to show up, speak openly, and help break the stigma.”

The evening begins with a “Mindfulness Moment” VIP experience led by holistic health practitioner Laura Arent, from Living Lite, at 5:30 p.m. This session offers a quiet space for sound practice and reflection before general admission follows at 6 p.m. The subsequent program focuses on community resilience and collective efforts to address the regional shortage of mental health providers.

“We chose the word ‘rising’ very intentionally, as it reflects the strength and resilience of the families we serve,” said Andrea Sherwin. “This event is an opportunity to elevate their stories—stories of perseverance through challenges that many of us may never fully experience. It is a powerful reminder of what is possible when individuals and families are supported, and the extraordinary ways they rise above life’s circumstances, with support from the community.”

A central highlight is the “Stories of Resilience” video featuring firsthand interviews with clients who thrived through some of MHANWI’s specialized programs. These narratives showcase the human impact of the agency’s work in areas like home visiting, case management, and mental health support. Several features will attend as honored guests to provide a tangible look at how community-backed intervention transforms the Region.

“The courage it takes for a family to share their most vulnerable moments on camera to help others is truly humbling,” Sherwin said. “Their resilience is fuel for our mission. We want every attendee to see these stories and realize that while the challenges in Northwest Indiana are significant, the strength of our residents to rise above them is even greater.”

Community members can join the mission by purchasing individual tickets for $150 or tables of eight for $1,000. For those unable to attend the celebration at the Hard Rock, MHANWI offers digital ways to contribute through its website at mhanwi.org. Supporters may also text “LEGACY” to 33100 to access the event portal and invest directly in the agency’s efforts to foster local mental health.