CoAction: Empowering Northwest Indiana Through Comprehensive Community Support Since 1965
Founded in 1965, CoAction is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families in Northwest Indiana achieve self-sufficiency and advocating for those in need. As the designated Community Action Agency, Area Agency on Aging, and local WIC program sponsor, CoAction annually assists approximately 50,000 people across Jasper, Lake, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and surrounding counties.
As a Community Action Agency, CoAction provides a wide range of programs targeting low-income families and disabled individuals with incomes at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Services include utility assistance, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, asset building, financial literacy, family self-sufficiency programs, savings match initiatives, and home weatherization (Lake County). The agency also offers critical information and referral services to connect clients with additional support.
Designated as the Area Agency on Aging since 1974, CoAction focuses on planning, developing, and coordinating services that promote independence and dignity for older adults and persons with disabilities at risk of institutionalization. These services include care management, nutrition and meal programs, preventive health and wellness initiatives, caregiver support, and ombudsman advocacy.
CoAction previously managed the 2-1-1 information and referral program from 2006 to 2018, providing trusted local resources to callers in need.
In 2015, CoAction became the official sponsor of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in several Northwest Indiana counties. This federally funded program enhances access to nutritious foods and promotes healthier lifestyles for families.
In July 2023, CoAction merged with Housing Opportunities, a designated Community Housing Development Organization, expanding its capacity to address financial and housing stability comprehensively. This merger allows CoAction to offer streamlined, integrated services that better support Northwest Indiana residents overcoming barriers to stability and self-sufficiency.