Matt Schuffert, president and CEO of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, recently presented an oversized check for $35,000 to Andrea Sherwin, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana, according to a news release.
Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana is a nonprofit organization committed to overall well-being through personal and family support, while remaining committed to its core principle: advocating for people experiencing emotional challenges, the release said. Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana offers programs for adults with mental health conditions or challenges, partners with area employers to ensure a mentally healthy work environment and advocates for people of all ages living with mental illness, the release said .
According to a news release, First Financial Bank and First Financial Foundation have awarded a total of $50,000 in grants to seven organizations in Northwest Indiana.
Across the four states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, First Financial awarded a total of $510,000, matching last year’s performance as the largest grant campaign to date.
In Northwest Indiana, Sojourner Truth House in Gary is one of this year’s recipients, the news release said. Other recipients in the region include the Computer Skills and Training Center and Gary Community Partnership Corp. in Gary; and The Center of Workforce Innovations and United Way of Northwest Indiana, both in Valparaiso.
First Financial’s commitment to the communities it serves extends beyond its annual grant campaign. Earlier this year, First Financial announced a new Community Benefits Agreement for 2024-2028, pledging $2.4 billion in loans and investments to low- and middle-income and census tract customers, the release said.
The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority recently added Controller Courtney Kvachkoff and Economic Development Director AJ Bytnar to its staff, according to a news release.
As economic development director, Bytnar will be responsible for guiding the Transit Development Districts (TDDs), while Kvachkoff, as controller, will be responsible for overseeing RDA finances, the news release said.
Bytnar brings more than 15 years of experience in economic development, urban planning, zoning and redevelopment, including as executive director of redevelopment for the city of Gary, the release said. Kvachkoff, a resident of Crown Point, comes to RDA from Indianapolis-based Onebridge, where she worked as a staff accountant, the release said.
