$30,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places initiative

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Justice-impacted individuals in Lake and Porter counties will soon have access to second-chance employment and community involvement if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $30,000 by Aug. 6, 2024. If successful, the project led by the Community Change Center will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

Funds from this campaign will be used to purchase and update a food truck, which will be solely run by formerly incarcerated individuals and will operate primarily outside the Porter County Jail and other justice-oriented buildings.

"The vision for this unique food truck has tremendous upside for individuals reentering the community, employees of the justice system and the Region generally," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "The CreatINg Places program is powered by individuals seeking innovative solutions to challenges in their communities, and this campaign is a great example of that innovative spirit."

In addition to providing these individuals opportunities for gainful employment, the food truck will foster positive interactions between employees and corrections staff and allow the Community Change Center to expand its reach.

"The Fresh Starts Food Truck will reduce recidivism and stigma surrounding the justice-involved population by providing supportive employment to those returning to the community after incarceration," said Sam Burgett, Founder of the Community Change Center. "The food truck will help foster relationships between the formerly-incarcerated population and those working within the justice system, as the truck will primarily serve meals outside the Porter County Jail, the courthouse and administrative building and in other areas frequented by those working within corrections. We look forward to fostering such positive feelings and relationships in our community."

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $10.9 million in public funds and an additional $9.1 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.