DeKalb County Project Spotlight 2023 Nominations

Alliance Industries, Inc. – DeKalb Association for Developmentally Disabled

Alliance Industries is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing employment for people with disabilities in a supportive environment. Our 40 plus employees provide such services as light assembly and packaging for area industries in DeKalb County. To support our work input, operating expenses and continued employment for our employees, we receive funds through donations, fundraising and grants. By supporting our employees, we are supporting the employees’ families and the community.

Auburn Main Street

Auburn Main Street launched our J-AMS group in 2022/2023 with Dekalb High School Students. The J-AMS student group has decided to work with the Auburn Parks Department to help replace and upgrade all of the water receptacles making them not only water fountains but water bottle refill stations.

This will make them relevant to the needs for people today on the go. They will need to raise $35,000 to accomplish this goal. Today many of us are conscious of making an impact to waste less and use reusable containers. To refill water bottles instead of plastic. The option to refill your water bottle while at the park is a huge convenience to everyone no matter their age. If we have this reusable source as an option at our parks this is one step our community can make to really make a difference for each other.

We believe that this feature will be utilized by those who are athletes, family members, walkers, bikers, and bi standers alike. We know that many of our parks are utilized from age 1 month to age 99. There are activities for everyone. There are Pickleball, Tennis courts, Basketball, Soccer, Trails, Baseball, Softball, Sledding, Dog Parks, Playgrounds, Pavilions, and Ponds for other activities. We know that having the basics of access to good drinking water is a must at all of our local parks. Each unit will have water bottle refill capability at the parks.

Our Main Street is a cornerstone of the community! Our mission is to collaborate with our community to promote, advance, and preserve a vibrant downtown, rich in character and engaging for all.

Community Center of Caring Food Pantry

This is a food bank/pantry serving those with food insecurities. There has been a huge increase in the number of families being served over the last 3 years. Also serving more people that have no permanent address.

DeKalb Humane Society, Inc.

We are committed to being a no-kill shelter and serving the DeKalb County area by promoting animal adoption, education on responsible animal ownership & welfare, and raising awareness of animal neglect & abuse.

Excelsior Arts Academy & Youth Theater

Our organization grows confidence and leadership in local young people through participation in youth theater regardless of their ability to pay. Students are never turned away. These students come to us from over 50 local families from DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Lagrange and Allen counties. The volunteer board of directors and volunteer staff of adult role models consist of individuals with years of experience and expertise.

This summer we will producing our 2nd full musical production. This cast is open to students from all counties and is a unique opportunity in northeast Indiana for students to grow and work together representing a minimum of four school systems as well as home-school students.

However, musicals are expensive. From costumes to staging to royalties and music, these amazing opportunities are truly the most expensive performance to present to our youth.

This year we are producing Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The students are extremely excited!

We are seeking help for production and royalty costs so that ALL of our local students, even those not affiliated with a school program, will have the experience of performing in a professional environment with peers from all over Northeast Indiana.

The Hearten House

Our goal is to help women overcome destructive thought and behavior patterns by providing a Christ-centered home. The love and acceptance they receive at Hearten House empowers women, and gives them the courage to make vital life changes.

 Image of Hope Ranch

Image of Hope Ranch, (IHR) established in 2017, is a nonprofit sanctuary where healing, learning & acceptance happens for individuals with emotional, intellectual, developmental, physical & academic challenges. With the help of our trained volunteers, we have been able to positively impact many broken individuals & hurting, disconnected families. There is no charge to participants for our services including the Equine One on One program, the Nature Discovery Center, Foster Family Program, our tutoring service called Wings of Hope & our Journeys program. 80% of our participants fall under United Way’s ALICE threshold of income. Journeys is a 9 week summer collaboration with Goodwill Pre- Employment Transitions Services (Pre-ETS) program that gives young men & women an opportunity to turn from an existence harnessed by emotional or generational poverty to becoming individuals with marketable work & leadership skills, an understanding of teamwork, good communication & proper social interactions with others. Employment opportunities never before considered will be explored. With your support, IHR can continue to provide these services at no cost.

United Way of DeKalb County

The United Way of DeKalb County is able to help fund multiple programs within DeKalb County through our Community Impact grants as well as our Community Impact Partners.

The United Way of DeKalb County is also a United Way Worldwide and Indiana Association of United Ways member.

Warm a Heart Community Outreach Ministry

Independent Christ-centered community outreach providing meals, groceries and encouragement to area families in need. Mark 12:28-31