What Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary Offers Families Across Northwest Indiana
Two things worth stating at the top: Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary serves residents of Lake, LaPorte, Porter, and Starke counties, and it serves everyone — regardless of religion, national background, or immigration status. Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary provides food, financial assistance, housing support, immigration legal services, and pregnancy and parenting resources to residents across Northwest Indiana.
Whether you're behind on rent or utilities, need groceries, are pregnant and unsure of your options, or need help navigating the immigration system, this page is here to help you understand what programs are available and how to access them. Many people assume a faith-based organization requires membership or affiliation; this one does not. Catholic Charities has operated in this region since 1937 and works with individuals and families of all backgrounds, making it one of the most wide-reaching social service organizations in Northwest Indiana.
Community Outreach — Financial Assistance
The section below covers what most people are looking for when they find this page: direct financial help when bills are past due or housing is at risk. Catholic Charities calls this its Community Outreach program, and it's broader than the name suggests.
The agency can assist with past due rent and mortgage payments, past due gas, electric, sewer, and water bills, security deposits, and first month's rent when a family is moving into housing. Help with NIPSCO deposits and establishing new utility services is also available — something that matters when a family is setting up in a new place and can't absorb the upfront cost. Also see the NHPB NIPSCO assistance program page.
Beyond housing and utilities, Community Outreach can also step in with fuel costs, car repair assistance, uniforms and school supplies, funeral expenses, medications, and small medical equipment. The program's approach is to look at the whole situation and address whatever specific need is standing between a family and stability.
To request help, email [email protected] or call (219) 886-3549 and select option 2. You can also start a request through the online form at catholic-charities.org/find-help.html. The Community Outreach program reaches all four counties in the diocese's service area, including through satellite locations in LaPorte County, and by appointment in Porter and Starke counties.
Food Assistance — Four Ways to Access Help
What makes the Catholic Charities food program worth understanding in detail is that it operates in four different ways, which means access isn't limited to people who can get to one location on a specific day. If other options are needed in the area (including for all counties) see the Indiana food bank directory page.
The primary Food Pantry Site is in the East Chicago office, where USDA-certified groceries including fresh produce, protein, canned goods, and dairy are available on a regular weekly basis — typically Friday mornings, though confirming current hours at [email protected] is always worth doing before making the trip. A family can generally expect to receive a meaningful supply of groceries on a monthly basis through this program.
The Mobile Food Pantry travels on select days each month to different communities where food need is high but access to a fixed pantry is difficult. This extends the reach of the program across the region without requiring a specific trip to East Chicago. The Homebound Food Pantry Delivery is specifically for seniors and for individuals who genuinely cannot leave their homes due to illness or disability. This can be arranged on either a short-term or long-term basis, depending on the nature of the situation. And Pop-Up Food Pantries appear at various locations and times throughout the month, providing fresh produce and grocery items to whoever shows up and needs them. For any food program questions or to get started, reach out to [email protected].
Tabor House — Transitional Housing for Families
For families facing poverty who need more than emergency financial assistance, Catholic Charities operates the Tabor House — a single-family home in Gary that provides temporary shelter and a structured path toward greater economic stability. A case manager works directly with each family living at Tabor House to identify specific goals and build a concrete action plan. The philosophy behind this program is that addressing poverty takes more than a bill paid; it requires sustained support through a period of transition. Contact the main office at (219) 886-3549 for current availability and eligibility information.
Women's Care Center — Pregnancy and Early Parenting Support
The Women's Care Center is a program that deserves attention here because it serves a population that often has nowhere else to turn. Based at the Hammond office on Indianapolis Boulevard, the center provides free and confidential support to women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Services include free medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasound (including 4-D ultrasound to confirm a viable pregnancy and estimated gestational age), prenatal vitamins, prenatal education, parenting classes, and a goal-setting program. The Crib Club Closet provides baby clothing, cribs, and infant supplies to families who need them. Support doesn't end at delivery — the Women's Care Center works with women from the point of pregnancy confirmation through the time their child reaches school age.
The center operates in a non-clinical, welcoming environment and is open to all women regardless of background or circumstances. Trained counselors are fully transparent about all medical information and pregnancy options. To speak with someone, call the Women's Care Center counseling helpline at (219) 554-1774 or email [email protected].
ISAAC Program — Immigration and Legal Services
Few things create more vulnerability than navigating immigration law without guidance, and few aspects of Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary's work are as consequential as its ISAAC program — Immigrant Support and Assistance Center. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Access Programs, ISAAC provides high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services in a region where such services are otherwise difficult and expensive to access.
The program helps individuals and families work through the process of obtaining U.S. permanent resident status or naturalization, which through private legal channels typically costs between four and twelve thousand dollars. ISAAC also assists domestic violence survivors and others in vulnerable circumstances who need immigration support, and helps with family reunification cases. Beyond legal status, the program connects clients with English as a second language (ESL) classes, U.S. citizenship preparation, and employment resources to help newcomers establish themselves in the community.
To schedule a consultation and evaluate your eligibility status, email [email protected] or call the East Chicago office at (219) 397-5803.
Financial Workshops
Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary offers financial education workshops designed to help residents develop stronger money management skills and a more sustainable financial footing. These are oriented toward practical application, not just theory — the kind of resource that can complement emergency assistance by helping a household avoid the same crisis in the future. Contact the main office at (219) 886-3549 or [email protected] for current workshop scheduling and availability.
How to Reach Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary
The main office is at 940 Broadway, Gary, IN 46402. The primary phone line is (219) 886-3549; fax (219) 886-2428. General office hours are typically Monday through Friday — call or check https://www.catholic-charities.org/ to confirm current hours before visiting.
Specific program emails: financial assistance — [email protected]; food assistance — [email protected]; immigration services — [email protected] Women's Care Center — [email protected]; general inquiries — [email protected]
Offices and service locations by area:
- East Chicago (Lake County): 3901 Fir Street, East Chicago, IN 46312 | (219) 397-5803. This location hosts both the Food Pantry Site and the ISAAC immigration program.
- Hammond (Lake County): 6919 Indianapolis Boulevard, Hammond, IN 46324 | (219) 844-4883. The Women's Care Center is also at this address, with its own direct line at (219) 554-1774.
- Michigan City (LaPorte County): 2601 E. Michigan Blvd, Michigan City, IN 46360 — satellite location at the Michigan Township Trustee office. Call (219) 689-8426 or (219) 886-3549 option 2.
- LaPorte (LaPorte County): 1700 Lincolnway, Suite 6, LaPorte, IN 46350 — satellite location at the Center Township Trustee office. Call (219) 689-8426 or (219) 886-3549 option 2.
- Porter County and Starke County: Served by appointment at locations that vary. Call (219) 886-3549 option 2 or email [email protected] to arrange.
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