The developmental specialists of All About Kids, the early intervention program of Opportunity Enterprises, are offering free developmental screenings for children birth to 3 years of age on Friday, May 18, and Friday, June 15, from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at Opportunity Enterprises, 3101 Evans Avenue, Valparaiso.

To schedule an appointment, call (219) 462-0786 or (219) 464-9621, ext. 322. If further evaluation is needed, referrals will be made to Northwest Indiana First Steps.

GrowNWI is helping youth members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County discover the joys and benefits of growing a garden this season. GrowNWI recently donated cedar raised bed plant boxes, soil, and starter plants and seeds to the Forrest “Dusty” Rhode Portage Club and the Duneland Club. Members will experience first-hand how to grow vegetables and will be responsible for all aspects of growing the gardens: from planting the seeds to harvesting the produce.

GrowNWI is a local non-profit organization committed to, as stated on their website, “fostering & sustaining community gardens and urban agriculture programs that grow produce”. (www.grownwi.com)

Approximately 200 people came out and celebrated families and healthy life choices at the “Great Futures Family Bike Ride” on May 5, 2012. The event, hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, drew bicycle riders of all ages for a morning filled with fun, fitness and family to the Prairie-Duneland trail’s Chesterton trail head.

Chesterton Bicycle Station and Leo’s Mobile Bike Service provided free bike safety inspections and helmet fittings to riders prior to taking the trail. Rascal the Railcat provided an entertaining send-off to riders as they began their ride. Riders enjoyed water and refreshment stations placed along the trail as they rode up to 18 miles from Chesterton to County Line Road in Portage and back.

Don't Let Your Child's Summer Be A Bummer

Why do you love the Y?

Francis Family The Francis family has grown in size as well as mind, body, and spirit since they joined the YMCA 10 years ago. Caitlyn Francis has always been an advocate for healthy living. She joined the YMCA at age 16 in order to stay Fit. After a short time as a member, Caitlyn started working at the facility in order to help put herself through nursing school.