Nonprofit opens space with Michigan City’s economic development in mind
The Success Hub at Paladin is a brightly colored, spacious area buzzing with activity. Paladin President and CEO Steve Hobby said the space was created to help the Michigan City-based nonprofit’s clients. But Hobby also said it will pitch in to the area’s economic development.
The hub’s hallways are painted in the green, yellow and light gray colors of the nonprofit’s logo, and they’re wide enough to accommodate people who need more room to move. There’s new lighting and a new floor. There’s even a soothing sensory room, a quiet, gently lit space — an oasis for people who may become overstimulated.
“This space was created because we wanted to expand our business model, or what we supported in the community,” Hobby said. “It was all strategic, looking at what we can do as the (South Shore Line) double tracks were going in, and what we can provide to this community with the potential influx of people coming in.”
The $3.7 million project converted a 24,000-square-foot warehouse into a new economic development resource. Clients can use an expanded computer lab. There’s more space dedicated to employment training. There are well-designed classrooms and dedicated areas for young children and seniors.
The idea of a nonprofit like Paladin contributing to economic development is common business sense, Hobby said.
The South Shore Line’s double-track project is expected to lure more businesses and their workers to Michigan City and the surrounding area. When new companies consider new locations, providing more services and options to their employees who have family members with disabilities or aging loved ones makes Michigan City a more attractive option. That’s where Paladin can help.
Hobby joined Paladin five years ago after a career in for-profit businesses. It was a culture shock, he said, but that background also meant Hobby had some perspective on how to make the nonprofit an important part of developing the Region.
The Success Hub idea has been stewing for 20 years, but it picked up steam in 2022. Then, the La Porte County Council pitched in $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped secure a $1.5 million grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Paladin added an additional $600,000, and locally based Tonn and Blank Construction, serving as the project’s general contractor, managed the construction, continuously finding ways to build a beautiful space at the lowest possible cost, Hobby said.
Work began in 2023, and a grand opening was celebrated on Dec. 5.
“It was an honor to partner with Paladin on the Success Hub renovation,” said Kyle Harris, a project manager at Tonn and Blank Construction in Michigan City. “Nonprofit organizations like Paladin do incredibly meaningful work in our communities, and we’re proud to support their mission by creating spaces that help them better serve others.”
Paladin’s beginnings were humble, starting out in a church basement. A few families wanted to provide services to their family members with disabilities without institutionalizing them. Over the decades, as their children grew, the group grew along with those kids’ needs. Eventually, local organizations consolidated, and after several iterations, they became Paladin.
The organization employs 300 people and supports 600 clients, mostly in Lake and La Porte counties. That support includes day programs and residential support, employment training and spaces for senior citizens with health challenges to meet and receive additional support, which also helps their families care for them.
Paladin Vice President Kimberly Latchford, who’s been with the nonprofit for 29 years, said the Success Hub means the nonprofit can help more people.
“Prior to the (Success Hub) construction, we were at maximum capacity,” Latchford said. “This new space will give us the opportunity to provide additional services and programming to more individuals.
“To actually see this dream take shape right in front of us is just amazing.” •
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