What started as simple investments, including a back-up battery generator and hoop houses, turned into a hub of resiliency within the community of Gary, IN. This past year, the state of Indiana was hit by severe storms, creating unprecedented flooding, extensive debris damage and long-standing power outages. So many Hoosiers were taken by surprise; however, there were community leaders focused on preparing their community for these types of events with help from the American Red Cross.

One of those community leaders is Rev. Curtis Whittaker, Sr., who has served as the Senior Pastor of Progressive Community Church (PCC) of Gary, Ind. since 2011. As a licensed and ordained minister, his focus goes beyond pastoral care and counseling, heavily focusing on community and economic development. This has included investments in renewable energy, local gardening and farming, and community youth programs.

In 2024, the Red Cross officially launched the Community Adaptation Program (CAP), a collaboration with local community nonprofits and organizations to strengthen local partner networks in disaster-prone areas, ensuring families have the tools and support they need before the next emergency strikes. This looks like innovative enhancements that extend local reach and fortify the local nonprofits’ ability to provide essential services during times of local disasters. These enhancements target vital services like health and mental health support, nutritious food, and secure housing for underserved local families. Once Pastor Whittaker connected with the local Red Cross CAP team in the Northwest of Indiana, a powerful partnership was made.

“PCC is doing it the right way because they know their community and how to best serve it. Only after, do we ask how we can support and they tell us how,” says CAP Coordinator Andrea Voisard. The Red Cross understands that much of the work that benefits communities are done by the community itself; and they are there to support.

After learning how the CAP team could assist Pastor Whittaker and PCC, the Red Cross began providing support with such things like technology, heat safety kits, youth preparedness programming, and CPR and First Aid Certification. In addition, the Red Cross provided two major enhancements, a back-up battery generator for their solar panels and a set of hoop houses that expanded the church's growing season for their produce gardens.

When the recent storms hit, PCC was ready.

“We thought about and prepared for this kind of thing along with the Red Cross,” said Pastor Whittaker. Whole communities within the Gary area lost power. But not PCC; they had their solar panels and their back-up battery generator. “It was incredible to see it work for the first time in action!” As one of the few edifices with power, PCC decided to become a resiliency hub in partnership with the Red Cross.

PCC was also able to rely on their hoop houses. With the production of more fresh produce, they were able to donate it to those who lost their food due to the power outages. Fresh produce, along with hundreds of other supplies, was given out at this weekend’s Divine 9 Distribution Event at the Village.

“This is community mobilization in action... relationship investment that strengthens our community’s response network and makes a positive and lasting impact,” said Divisional Community Mobilization Coach Simone Moore.

To learn more about the how the Red Cross is supporting communities across Indiana, visit redcross.org/Indiana - If you or someone you know has been affected by severe weather and needs assistance, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Written by Aileen Blomdal, Regional Communications Manager.