Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA) continued its 2025 session with an in-depth look at community resources during its recent “human services” session.
Cadets heard from three local organizations, Cardinal Services, the Kosciusko County Help Center and the United Way of Whitley & Kosciusko Counties, whose missions directly impact the quality of life for individuals and families across the region, according to a news release from KLA.
Cardinal Services, represented by Marcie Arndt, executive director, shared how the nonprofit empowers people with disabilities, families and communities through personalized support, education and employment opportunities. Founded by families in 1954, Cardinal now serves more than 6,500 individuals annually across nine counties with a team of 375 employees and a $27 million annual budget.
Programs highlighted included:
• Enriching Education: Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-Employment Transition Services reaching over 300 students across 24 schools in Northern Indiana.
• Expanding Employment: The Opportunity Lab provides certifications in CNA, ServSafe, forklift and manufacturing skills while partnering with local employers such as CTB and DePuy Synthes.
• Enhancing Health & Elevating Communities: From 24/7 residential support and transportation services providing 40,000 rides each year to wellness initiatives and onsite clinics ensuring holistic care.
At the end of the presentations, cadets were invited to tour Cardinal Services to see firsthand how these programs create opportunities and impact lives across the community.
The Kosciusko County Help Center, presented by Laura Deal-Decker, MSW, spotlighted the collaborative programs offered through KosHelpCenter.org and the Health Services Pavilion, established in partnership with the K21 Health Foundation. These initiatives connect residents to essential medical, dental, vision and mental health resources, as well as transportation and prescription assistance.
The Help Center also administers multiple funds through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF), including:
• Healthcare Assistance Fund — Access to essential healthcare and prescriptions.
• Cancer Care Fund — Supporting cancer patients with household, food and transportation expenses.
• Good Samaritan, Riley Kids and Virgil & Jewel Wise Funds — Providing financial aid for children with serious medical needs and their families.
Barry Andrew, CEO of the United Way of Whitley & Kosciusko Counties, opened the session with a message of connection and purpose.
Andrew shared the organization’s mission to lead with love, collaboration and purpose while building strong, intentional partnerships within the community.
He also highlighted The Big Give initiative, a 2025 back-to-school effort that placed 1,700 fully stocked book bags into the hands of local students, helping them start the school year confident, prepared and ready to learn.
United Way recently announced a new partnership with Combined Community Services (CCS) to strengthen and expand CCS’s long-standing Tools for School program, which for more than 30 years has provided essential school supplies, shoes and haircuts to students in need. Together, United Way and CCS are creating a unified, more robust back-to-school effort — combining resources, volunteers and community reach to ensure every student begins the year with the tools they need to succeed.
All three organizations embody KLA’s mission of developing informed leaders who are equipped to make a positive difference in Kosciusko County, the release states.
The next KLA session will be about the orthopedic industry in Kosciusko County. That program is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 and will be held at City Council Chambers at City Hall.
The Kosciusko Leadership Academy is now in its 43rd year of service to the county. As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, KLA conducts biweekly morning sessions across Kosciusko County, exposing emerging leaders to a wide variety of local topics and experts. The program’s annual White Paper projects have provided meaningful benefits to citizens and communities throughout the county.
For more information, visit www.kosciuskoleadership.org
