Last week, our team had the privilege of attending the La Porte regional meeting hosted by Prosperity Indiana, where nonprofit organizations, for-profit, and government entities from across the region came together to share insights, collaborate on solutions, and address the pressing challenges facing our communities. The Health Foundation of La Porte hosted this event, giving nonprofits from across the community the ability to network and learn.
A Network Built for Impact
Prosperity Indiana has built a community economic development network spanning all 92 Indiana counties, comprising over 200 organizations and more than 1,300 members. Their REAP framework, which they presented at the meeting, stands for Resources, Engagement, Advocacy, and Programs, demonstrating how diverse stakeholders can unite around a common mission. From banks and developers to social justice advocates, utilities, foundations, and community development corporations, this network represents the full spectrum of organizations working toward shared prosperity across our state.
Recent Advocacy Victories
The gathering highlighted some significant wins that demonstrate the power of collective advocacy. Prosperity Indiana, working alongside partners like the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition, successfully:
- Advanced eviction reform through SEA 148, which took effect July 1st, expanded Indiana’s eviction sealing law. This allows individuals who have experienced eviction to have their evictions removed from their records after seven years. The goal is to make housing more obtainable for all Hoosiers.
- Defeated harmful legislation that would have criminalized homelessness, not once, but three times during the past legislative session.
- Launched a strategic initiative urging Governor Mike Braun to establish a Commission on Housing Safety, Stability, and Affordability.
These victories underscore how organized advocacy can create meaningful policy change that directly impacts the communities we serve.
The presentation also highlighted several coalitions in which Prosperity is involved, including the Indiana Assets and Opportunity Network, Hoosiers for Responsible Lending, and Opportunity Starts at Home. Of great interest to Homeward Bound Village was the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition (HHNC) a statewide coalition that emerged from Indiana’s housing security advocacy community in 2020, initially formed to address the urgent housing challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Now staffed by Prosperity Indiana and recognized as their fastest growing coalition, HHNC works to tackle Indiana’s housing supply shortage and the power imbalance between landlords and renters. The coalition brings together partners from across Indiana to advocate for equitable housing policies at the federal, state, and local levels, focusing on three key priorities: housing stability and affordability, tenant protections, and housing equity.
Impactful Roundtable Discussions
This event was designed to build a network, and more importantly, engage participants in impactful conversations around three critical topics:
Shifting Landscape: Organizations openly discussed the concerns and uncertainties they’re facing, given current funding and policy changes. This honest assessment of challenges created space for authentic connections, collaborations, all working towards support and solutions.
Emerging Trends: Participants shared observations about patterns developing in their communities and among the populations they serve.
Retooling & Partnerships: Perhaps most importantly, organizations explored how they’re adapting their work and strengthening collaborations to meet new challenges head-on.
Why This Matters for Our Community
Many nonprofit organizations often work in silos, focused intensely on their specific missions and constituencies. Events like this remind us that our challenges are interconnected, and our solutions can be too. The housing crisis, economic inequality, and policy uncertainty affect all of our work, whether we’re focused on education, healthcare, workforce development, or affordable housing.
Prosperity Indiana’s approach offers a model worth emulating, bringing together diverse stakeholders, celebrating collective wins, acknowledging shared challenges, and creating structured opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
What’s Next in La Porte County
The conversations we had and the connections we made will undoubtedly influence our work in the months ahead. More importantly, they reminded us that even in uncertain times, there’s strength in community and power in partnership.
For organizations across Indiana working on issues related to affordable housing, community development, or economic justice, we highly recommend connecting with Prosperity Indiana. Their resources, advocacy efforts, and collaborative approach make them an invaluable ally in building stronger, more equitable communities.
