At Sojourner Truth House (STH), moving out of a shelter is just the beginning. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) operates on a simple but powerful idea: being stably housed gives people the foundation they need to confront and solve the deeper issues that led them into homelessness. With case managers providing guidance, workshops, and resources, clients can recover from trauma, rebuild their lives, and thrive in their communities.

STH supports around 100 PSH households across Lake County, offering a combination of affordable housing and essential services. Case managers Crystal Thomas and Sam Whitehead lead these efforts—Crystal oversees South Shore Commons in Gary, while Sam manages the Gateway program, which offers housing throughout the county. Both programs are largely funded by government grants, with STH providing furniture, food, and case management services.

“Our programs exist for those who otherwise would not be able to survive on their own,” Crystal shared. “They’ve been through the shelter experience, or they’ve been on the street, or they’ve stayed with family and friends. Now they’re in housing, and it’s like ‘Now what?’ Most programs put you in housing and then leave you on your own to figure that out. What are you going to do about a job or the kids? We’re here to cushion that, and ask how do we keep you housed, as opposed to having you return to being homeless? We’re trying to not continue the cycle and help better their lives.”

Sam manages 45 PSH households in the Gateway program that live in 20 to 25 locations spread mainly throughout Gary and Merrillville, with others in Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, and Lowell. Each client has different barriers to obtaining housing, he explained.

“For some it’s financial irresponsibility, sometimes it’s untreated mental health issues, or it’s substance abuse and they need help creating a plan of action to maintain sobriety. Some clients need housing to get their children back,” Sam said. “We work closely with them to identify those barriers, establish goals and then try to work on those goals over time to get clients where they need to be to create the type of life they want, whether it be reunification with their kids, or whether they don’t want to stay in a shelter anymore but want their own space.”

One of the ways STH ensures PSH clients can succeed is by offering a wide variety of classes and workshops. At South Shore Commons, Crystal coordinates monthly calendars featuring sessions on financial literacy, life skills, trauma recovery, yoga, and art therapy. She also organizes family outings, such as trips to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum or local bowling alleys, to help clients experience life beyond their immediate surroundings.

“We try to take them outside of these four walls,” Crystal explains. “It’s important for them to reconnect with the world and feel part of something bigger.”

Transportation is another key service, helping clients access jobs, medical care, and other critical appointments. Crystal notes that transportation can be the difference between success and setbacks:

“A simple ride to the doctor can mean the difference between getting a disability case approved or denied. For many of our clients, there’s no family to lean on, so transportation becomes a lifeline.”

Sam also uses STH’s transportation services to bring Gateway clients together for monthly group sessions. These meetings offer a safe space for men to discuss topics like parenting, mental health, and sobriety while building a supportive community.

STH’s Executive Director, Angela Paul, said that integrating services for participants in STH’s day center and offsite PSH programs has been her staff’s proudest achievement in the last year.

“This effort has led to enhanced support in areas such as transportation, child enrichment, meals, financial literacy, and access to medical, mental health, and substance abuse services,” she shared. “Participants have also benefited from educational and employment opportunities, all provided onsite at both central and offsite locations.”

“Most of what we do takes a team,” Crystal added.

That includes YOU—you are an important part of the team that surrounds STH clients with the support services they need to meet their goals and thrive. Thank you!

Workers from NIPSCO volunteered at Sojourner Truth House (STH) on Thursday, February 20th, as part of Black Labor Week 2025. This annual observance celebrates the contributions of Black labor unions while promoting community engagement and service. The initiative is led by Ephrin “E.J.” Jenkins, Founder and Executive Director of Black Labor Week Project Inc., who continues to champion a movement that highlights the impact of Black labor unions both in the workplace and in the community.

As part of the week’s activities, Thursday was designated as a Day of Community Service, encouraging union members and supporters to give back to local organizations. NIPSCO employees demonstrated their commitment to this mission by dedicating their time and energy to support the work of STH, furthering the organization’s mission to serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty.

NIPSCO, a leading energy provider serving northern Indiana, has generously awarded $12,000 to Sojourner Truth House (STH) as part of its “Hope for the Holidays” program. This significant contribution will support STH’s Santa Store, a vital initiative helping 250 women and families who are currently experiencing homelessness as well as those who have successfully transitioned to stable housing during the holiday season.

The Santa Store empowers both day center and permanent supportive housing clients by giving them the opportunity to shop for holiday essentials. Stocked with toys, clothing, personal hygiene products, bedding, kitchen appliances, and more, the store provides families with the resources they need to make the holiday season both joyful and comfortable.

“We are incredibly grateful for NISPCO’s continued support of our mission to provide the services and tools individuals and families need to overcome homelessness,” said Angela Paul, Executive Director of Sojourner Truth House. “Their donation will make a significant difference in the lives of our clients and help them create meaningful memories during the holiday season.”

In the last year, employees of Ameristar Casino of East Chicago have made several generous donations to Sojourner Truth House in support of those experiencing homelessness in Lake County. In November 2023, employees chose to donate their Thanksgiving gift certificates to STH clients in need, which totaled $620 and helped many families during the holiday season. Ameristar also supported the 25^th annual Walk for STH in June of this year with a sponsorship of $2,500 continuing a tradition of supporting many Walk events over the years.

Employees recently made another generous donation – 120 beautiful roller suitcases valued at over $2,000. When women and families come to STH from local homeless shelters, or off the streets, they’re often fleeing desperate situations – domestic violence, fires, evictions – and have nothing in which to carry their possessions other than plastic grocery bags. This gift of suitcases will help protect the possessions of 120 STH clients (and their families) and provide them with a sense of safety and security as they work to overcome their circumstances and exit homelessness.

Christina Herrera, Vice President of Casino Operations said, “We are honored to partner with Sojourner Truth House as they follow their mission in helping at-risk women and children. Many of their values align with ours at Ameristar, helping our communities and those that live within it. We saw this as a perfect opportunity to help where there is a need.”

Christina Herrara, Vice President of Casino Operations, with staff as they donate 120 suitcases:

STH Head of Facilities, Jeremaine, loads suitcases to bring back to Sojourner Truth House clients

Lisa Kerman is a doer. When she found out that her church, Suncrest Christian Church, has a volunteer worship team that serves each month at Sojourner Truth House, she immediately got involved.

“We do anything STH may need extra hands with—food pantry organizing, setting up for holiday events, gardening, just whatever their need is, we show up to assist,” Lisa explains. “I am blown away by the depth of what STH provides not just for the community but for the future of the women and children who need it most. This is such an incredible community of HUGE HEARTS! Every single person that I’ve met through STH has impressed me with their level of compassion, and caring about doing the right thing for all who may need assistance and just being kind along the way.”

While she loves giving her time, Lisa chose to do more. She became a monthly giver through STH’s Saint Katharina’s Calendar Club. “As a member of Suncrest, we believe in ‘next steps’ on our own individual journeys in our faith,” she says. “THIS was part of my NEXT STEP. Volunteering at STH was no longer just enough for me —I wanted to expand on what I could give, and it hopefully won’t just stop there!”

Thank you, Lisa! You can be part of this community of HUGE HEARTS, too— be a monthly giver like Lisa. Visit sojournertruthhouse.org/monthly-giving

GARY, IN – Community Ambassadors for Sojourner Truth House (STH) seeks partners for the 5 Loaves and 2 Fish initiative, which collects food and essential personal items to supplement the services offered by STH’s pantry, Lake County’s largest.

The program was conceived by Sharon Kenning, Community Ambassador for STH and dedicated volunteer. With a deep commitment to supporting those in need, Kenning recognized the importance of addressing not only food insecurity but also the lack of access to basic personal care items among individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.

“5 Loaves and 2 Fish was started to ensure that additional food items are coming into the STH pantry on a weekly basis,” said Kenning. “People are not at their best when they are worried about feeding their children or where their next meal will come from. Better food means better health and a better community.”

Kristy Olsen, STH’s community resource supervisor who oversees the food pantry, shared her excitement about expanding the 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Pantry Drive to more community partners.

 “What began as a food-focused initiative has now grown into a comprehensive effort to provide holistic support to those facing difficult circumstances,” Olsen said.

The 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Pantry Drive invites individuals, organizations, churches, schools, and community groups to participate by organizing donation efforts within their respective communities. Participants are encouraged to collect shelf-stable food like canned tuna, pasta, peanut butter, rice, and personal items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.

The Sojourner Truth House pantry is open to Lake County residents with proof of residency. Residents can receive food and personal items once every 30 days. The pantry operates as a drive up or walk-up pantry. Distribution takes place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m.  to 2 p.m.

For more information about 5 Loaves and 2 Fish and how to schedule your drive, please visit sojournertruthhouse.org or contact Sharon Kenning at 219.789.2222.

Wanda Riley started volunteering at Sojourner Truth House’s food pantry in 2016. One day each week, she helps visitors to the pantry who need food, clothing, or personal hygiene products. As a community intake volunteer, she greets all who drive or walk up to the pantry and makes sure that their information is correct.

Over the years, Wanda has helped many people who have touched her heart, like a man who needed food but did not speak English. Through a language translation app on a cell phone, the man was able to explain that he’d recently moved to the Gary area but was homeless and needed assistance. Using the app, Wanda spoke back to him in his own language and provided him with simple, ready-to-go meals with pull-tabs, pastas with lids, and other food that didn’t need to be heated.

“This makes you appreciate what you have at home,” Wanda said, adding that she devotes her time to volunteering at Sojourner Truth House because it gives her joy to help her neighbors.

Pat volunteers for Sojourner Truth House each week with a smile on her face. For over ten years she spends at least once a week helping the food pantry. Outside of volunteering, she is a musician and plays piano for her church. Watch this video to hear some memories she has while volunteering at STH:

The 2023 holiday season at Sojourner Truth House can be described in three words: Cheerful, Inspiring, and Grateful.

In November, on Giving Tuesday, Volunteers came together to Deck the Halls at Sojourner Truth House. Giving Tuesday—always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—is known worldwide as the day to give back, whether monetarily or with time. Volunteers put up Christmas trees, hung lights, and decorated the day center with Christmas cheer.

Additionally, more than a dozen supporters participated in a 3-for-1 Giving Tuesday match, which quadrupled all donations to STH up to $5,000. The support from generous donors and organizations made Giving Tuesday a great success and helps sustain our mission of serving women and children experiencing homelessness.

In December, the annual Santa Store took place, and clients were able to spend their “Sojourner Bucks” on fun gifts for their family members or needed items for their home. Throughout the year, STH clients earn “Sojourner Bucks” by doing good deeds like participating in classes, being prepared for class, helping their instructors, or when someone notices them doing an act of kindness. More than 80 shoppers participated this Christmas. Check out a video of Dr. Pam Key explaining this event here:

The spirit of giving continued through the end of the month with many donations of food, clothing, hygiene products, toys, and bicycles from our supporters.

It was an inspiring holiday season for all at Sojourner Truth House, and we are so grateful for the support and generosity that make it possible for us to spread cheer to all we serve.

RoShawn is a mother of 2 and lives with her husband in NWI. She has volunteered for the Sojourner Truth House Food Pantry for a few months in 2023 and is their newest cook! Roshawn cooks breakfast for 20 clients and lunch for 30-40 clients four days a week. She prides herself on cooking with love and compassion, keeping in mind the clients she helps serve. Outside of STH, RoShawn owns her own catering company, Goodies by Ro. Learn more on her Facebook page!

Together we are #SojournerStrong