Brightpoint

Brightpoint's Mobile Office has stops in Avilla, Albion, Middlebury, Ligonier, and Butler this week. If you need help completing an application or navigating our programs, come see us. No appointment needed.

For our full Mobile Office calendar, visit mybrightpoint.org/events.

Image Descriptions: Graphics showing the Brightpoint Mobile Office schedule for the week, including multiple stop locations, dates, and times. A link to the complete calendar of locations and hours for the week of September 20 and beyond is provided in the post.

We’re grateful to the Foellinger Foundation for its steady support of Brightpoint and our mission. Their ongoing partnership helps strengthen our ability to serve the community and walk alongside individuals and families as they build brighter futures. 💙

Image description: Graphic features three snapshots: 1. Two Brightpoint staff standing at an outdoor outreach event under a purple tent and behind a table of resources. 2. Young person with back turned wearing a Brightpoint sweatshirt graphic sitting in a group workshop. 3. Mother and preschool aged child standing and smiling for a photo. There is a Brightpoint logo as well as "Thank you!" text and the Foellinger Foundation logo.

Lakeisha, a new mother, found herself facing housing challenges during a critical time for her and her infant son. After reaching out to Brightpoint, she was connected with Kirstyn Stratton and the PIHPP program.

The Perinatal and Infant Homelessness Prevention Pilot Program (PIHPP) is a partnership between the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and Ascension Foundation to help pregnant women and families with infants avoid housing instability through one-time financial assistance delivered by community partners like Brightpoint.

For Lakeisha, the assistance went far beyond financial support. She described Kirstyn as a trusted source of encouragement and stability during a difficult chapter in her life. Because of the support she received, Lakeisha was able to secure stable housing for herself and her son and move forward with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Stories like Lakeisha's remind us that preventing homelessness is often about providing the right support at the right moment. Through partnerships like PIHPP, and the dedication of staff members like Kirstyn, Brightpoint is helping families build stability, strengthen their futures, and give children the healthy start they deserve.

Thank you to the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and Ascension Foundation for making stories like this possible!

Read more in Brightpoint’s latest newsletter: https://www.mybrightpoint.org/index.php/3d-flip-book/newsletter-july-august-2026/

Image description: Graphic features a purple background with the Brightpoint logo and a quote from Lakeisha: "I reached out to Brightpoint and I got connected with Kirstyn. She never let me down. She checks on me and my son day in and day out." There is a selfie style photo of Lakeisha holding her baby son as he looks away with his tongue sticking out. He's wearing a light blue onesie.

Congratulations to Lee Fuhr and Monster Remodeling on receiving a Small Business Loan through Brightpoint Development Fund! 🎉 We're proud to help support local entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses and strengthen our communities.

We’re sending a big congratulations to Lee Fuhr, owner of Monster Remodeling, on receiving one of our Small Business Loans!

We’re excited to support Lee and Monster Remodeling LLC as they continue to grow their business and make a positive impact in our community.

At Brightpoint Development Fund, we’re here to support small businesses every step of the way—whether you’re just getting started, growing your business, or looking for resources to help take your next step.

If you’re a business owner and aren’t sure what comes next, we’re here to help.

Learn more: mybdf.org

This Grandparents Day, we celebrate and thank our amazing Foster Grandparents!

Foster Grandparents are volunteers who serve in educational settings as role models, mentors, and friends to children.

Our Foster Grandparents, like Grandma Rose and Grandma Orca, work with children in Brightpoint's Head Start programs on individual goals, one-on-one in the classroom. They provide care and support for our children and are a wonderful addition to our school family!

Thank you for all you do!

Learn more about becoming a Foster Grandparent here: https://lutheranlifevillages.org/foster-grandparent-program/

💙 Happy Grandparents Day! 💙

Foster Grandparent Program Fort Wayne, IN Brightpoint Head Start

Image Description: Graphic featuring a purple background with the words "Happy Grandparents Day" and a Brightpoint logo. There are two photos. Photo one features Grandma Orca at a sink helping a child wash their hands. Photo two shows Grandma Rose standing near a table helping a child. There are dried flower accents.

The Brightpoint Mobile Office will be busy this week hitting several stops in our communities. Come see us to learn about Brightpoint programs, get help submitting applications, or just to connect.

For a full list of upcoming stops, check the website: mybrightpoint.org/events

Image Descriptions: Graphics showing the Brightpoint Mobile Office schedule for the week, including multiple stop locations, dates, and times. A link to the complete calendar of locations and hours for the week of September 13 and beyond is provided in the post.

Today, we pause to remember those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001. We honor the courage and sacrifice shown in the days that followed.

As we reflect, may we continue to care for our neighbors and strengthen our communities through service and compassion. 💙

Brightpoint Communities, Inc., a subsidiary of Brightpoint, is accepting proposals to replace the existing roofing systems on all four apartment buildings at Whitley Meadows Apartments in Columbia City.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) packet can be obtained by emailing [email protected] with “Proposal – Whitley Meadows Roof Replacement” in the subject line or by downloading the RFP packet found here: https://www.mybrightpoint.org/index.php/brightpoint-request-for-proposal-roof-replacement-services/

Roof Replacement proposals must be emailed to Mary Harris by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29.

What began as a high school internship through Brightpoint Youth Evolvement has led to meaningful employment for Sequoya at Nature's Mercantile in Auburn. Her story is also a full-circle Brightpoint success story: Nature's Mercantile is a Brightpoint Development Fund small business loan client and is now helping a local student gain valuable workforce experience!

Located in downtown Auburn, Nature's Mercantile LLC is a natural skincare and modern apothecary offering handcrafted soaps, lotions, herbal products, teas, candles, and wellness products. Owner Heather Magner connected with the Youth Evolvement Program because she saw an opportunity to provide students with real-world experience in a small business environment.

"As a small-business owner, I saw it as a chance to expose young people to the many different parts of operating a business while giving them meaningful work they could take ownership of," Heather explains.

As Sequoya's experience grew, so did her responsibilities. Today, she manages much of the store's herb and tea department, maintaining inventory, packaging products, tracking lot numbers, organizing storage, and keeping product information current.

The experience has helped Sequoya build confidence and broaden her perspective.

"Definitely getting to see and communicate with more people has opened my mind to what it's like being around such a diverse group of people," she shares.

This isn't the first time Nature's Mercantile has partnered with Brightpoint. The business previously received small business assistance through the Brightpoint Development Fund.

Today, that investment has come full circle, as Nature's Mercantile helps a young person gain the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed in the workforce.

Sequoya is now an official employee and plans to continue working at Nature's Mercantile through her senior year of high school.

Sequoya's journey from intern to employee is one example of what's possible when local businesses invest in local youth. 💙

📖 You can read more of this story and others in our latest newsletter.

Image description: Teenager stands smiling inside a skincare and apothecary small shop, behind a tiered basket of soaps. Quote overlay reads: I've learned a lot about herbs and soap making, and I've also learned how to run a business. It's been awesome. - Sequoya

Every family deserves a safe, stable place to call home. 💛

Brightpoint Communities, Inc. owns and manages three affordable housing properties in Columbia City, helping expand access to quality housing for households earning 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

📍Clugston on the Square: Located in historic downtown Columbia City. We have 1- and 2-bedroom apartments currently available to rent!

📍Heritage Homes: Provides a pathway to homeownership with 3- and 4-bedroom homes located in a modern neighborhood.

📍Whitley Meadows Apartments: Features 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments in a peaceful, nature-filled setting.

For leasing information, contact Mindy at (260) 399-4108 ext. 223.