A year ago, we were working out of library meeting rooms, meeting in coffee shops, and dreaming of the day when our vision for cooperative affordable housing would become a reality. Today, we’re reflecting on a year that transformed our organization, and we’re just getting started.
Building Our Foundation
This year was a year of building, not just at Karwick Village. Early in 2025, we hired our first employee, opened a physical office in Michigan City, and finally had a home base for our work. These may sound like administrative milestones, but they represent something bigger: sustainable growth that supports the needs of Karwick Village and beyond. We could invite partners to our space, hold meetings without asking to borrow someone’s conference room, and respond to our community with the professionalism they deserve.
We’re deeply grateful to the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, the Health Foundation of LaPorte, and other major funders who believed in our mission early on. Their investments didn’t just fund projects; they funded the capacity to do this work with excellence and sustainability.
Karwick Village: From Groundbreaking to Move-In Day
The heart of this year was Karwick Village. We achieved full funding for Phase 1, and in less than 10 months, we went from breaking ground to watching families carry boxes through their front doors. In an era when housing projects often take years to complete, we proved that with determination, strong partnerships, and community support, we could move at the speed our neighbors need.
But Karwick Village is more than just affordable housing; it’s a cooperative model that puts residents at the center. This year, we established the Karwick Village Cooperative and seated its first board, ensuring that the people who live there have a voice in shaping their community. This is housing with people, not just for people. This is our mission in action, creating community through affordable housing.
Connecting With Our Community
In preparation for occupancy at Karwick Village, we held 15 outreach and information sessions across La Porte County, with over 100 community members registering their interest. Each conversation represented a family seeking stability, a parent wanting better opportunities for their child, or someone simply looking for a safe, affordable place to call home.
We also presented to community groups across the region, sharing our mission and learning from others doing this work. Every presentation helped us share our mission and build the relationships that will carry us forward.
Looking Ahead: Building on Momentum
As we turn the calendar to the new year, we’re not slowing down; we’re building sustainably, organizationally, and physically.
We’re focusing on strengthening our team because the demand for affordable housing requires a sustainable approach. We’re committed to capacity building for our organization’s initiatives, expanding our impact beyond Karwick Village to serve even more families in need.
The six families moving into Karwick Village this month are just the beginning. We’ve proven we can do this work with speed, integrity, and heart.
Thank You, and Come Be Part of This
This work exists because people chose to care. Donors, volunteers, partners, and families showed up—not just with resources, but with trust, time, and belief. Together, you turned blueprints into homes, ideas into front porches, and a shared commitment into six families settling in tonight.
As we look ahead, we’re inviting more people into the heart of this work. Not because you have a specific skill or a title to fill—but because housing justice depends on relationships. We need neighbors, listeners, mentors, and steady presences. People willing to know our residents, walk alongside them, and help build a cooperative community that lasts.
Whether you give, volunteer, stay connected, or simply show up with curiosity and care, there’s a place for you here. This past year proved what’s possible. What comes next will be shaped by who steps in and stays.
Here’s to the families moving in, the community forming around them, and the many hands that will help carry this work forward.
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