The sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso was full Sunday afternoon for the launch of the Porter County chapter of We Make Indiana, a nonprofit that aims to bring people of all faiths together with elected officials to make Hoosier communities safer, healthier and whole.

Five ministers and just as many community members spoke on a variety of topics including affordable housing and childcare, while also sharing their personal stories. All Porter County candidates seeking public office in the general election were invited to speak for three minutes, introducing themselves and answering whether they would be willing to meet with the group in the future.

Rev. Kim Adams of First Presbyterian welcomed the crowd, stated the group’s purpose and gave the invocation. “We are gathered here today to be part of something truly transformative,” she said. “Too many of our neighbors are struggling ... whether due to affordable housing or childcare.”

We Make Indiana organizer Garrett Blad spoke of the success he and others had testifying for the passage of Senate Bill 1, which passed in April 2023 with $100 million in funding to build out a statewide mental health response network.

The group’s next phase will be to work with elected officials to identify concrete solutions to social challenges and decide which ones they’ll push for.

Valparaiso City Council President Robert Cotton, D-2nd, was given the floor first. “I noted that the market won’t take care of housing,” he said. “The market will stratify housing if left unchecked.”

Porter County Council President Mike Brickner, R-at large, who is up for reelection, was the only Republican candidate in attendance. He said he strives to keep in mind three qualities as he serves: “humility to understand that you are just borrowing a position;” courage to make not always the popular decision but the right decision; and wisdom.

“This is not as good as things get. I believe that,” he said. “I look forward to working with these groups.”

Bob DeRuntz, a Democrat also running for a county council at-large seat, is a 30-year history teacher at Chesterton High School. He quoted an old administrator whose philosophy in dealing with students is easily translatable to fellow citizens, he said.

“In public education, we get all the blueberries, the whole package. Some of them are overripe and some of them are a little underripe.”

We Make Indiana will host a training session focused on how to do research training at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at First Christian Church, 1507 E. Glendale Blvd. Valparaiso.

Call 317-294-5909 to register.

Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.