Since people with disabilities might experience more everyday challenges than most, services that can limit these struggles are an incredible benefit to have. At Paladin, Inc., the organization is motivated to help serve children and seniors with disabilities in Northwest Indiana.
Melissa Bohacek, marketing and development director at Paladin, believes there are plenty of programs and services that Paladin provides to enhance the lives of people in Lake County communities. Its history has deep roots in Lake County and has run a wide variety of support throughout the years.
“We offer a lot of disability services and support in Lake County and throughout all of our Northwest Indiana locations,” she said. “We have large day program centers in Hobart and Highland. The interesting thing about Lake County is that we’ve been providing services there since 1952 when a group of parents who had children with intellectual disabilities decided they needed a place to be supported and educated. The answer to that was Paladin.”
Paladin also helps provide residential services to support individuals in their homes, apartments, or community living situations throughout Northwest Indiana. Regardless of if a person is living on their own or needs help with daily living activities, Paladin steps in where they’re needed to assist these residents.
The organization is all about hitting the mark when it comes to helping people express themselves and identify their passions. Paladin organizes various events throughout the year that allow people to do something fun outside of their day centers.
“That’s priority number one for us,” Bohacek said. “Whether the people who use our services have physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, it can be a challenge for them to get out in the community at times. We all want to have a network of support and make those connections. When we did our basketball game with Purdue University Northwest (PNW), both teams were given a chance to have fun and learn at the same time. When the community can circle around our people and help them feel supported, it’s an incredible feeling.”
In order to provide these programs, Paladin appreciates the partnering organizations and businesses that have supported them. Local chambers and school corporations have been a monumental help.
“They help us to identify kids who will be transitioning out so we can begin supporting them,” Bohacek said. “Once they get on a waiver, we can help educate as many people as possible. We can’t do what we do without the schools. The chambers have been a wealth of information as well because they represent every industry in the community.”
As a mother of a child with disabilities, Bohacek has first hand experience with the benefits that Paladin offers. She encourages parents who are unsure about the services that the organization provides to give them a call or stop by one of their locations.
“My middle daughter has Down syndrome, and it’s a unique perspective here to work with Paladin and have a child who receives these services,” Bohacek said. “I think some parents might be a little nervous, but we’re all about protecting our kids even once they cross adulthood. It’s tailored to the individual and what they need.”
Paladin hopes to continue providing services for people with disabilities and early childhood programs across Northwest Indiana in 2025. As the organization serves more than 500 people throughout the day, Paladin is looking forward to changing more lives in the counties of La Porte, Lake, Jasper, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph and Starke.
For more information on Paladin, you can visit its website.
