Lakeshore’s “Building Blocks” initiative is a comprehensive multimedia project dedicated to exploring the science of early childhood development and addressing the challenges faced by families in Northwest Indiana. Through television, radio, digital platforms, and community events, the initiative aims to elevate the importance of high-quality early learning and provide essential resources to families with young children.
Donate to The Building Blocks Matching Fund
Lakeshore received a $100,000 matching grant from Legacy Foundation to support our Building Blocks initiative! All donations to this fund will be eligible for a $1-for-$1 match, and 25% of the funds will be invested in an endowment at Legacy Foundation to provide ongoing support for the Building Blocks program and Lakeshore's educational initiatives for many years to come. Donate Now!
Watch Building Blocks: The TV Show
Building Blocks | EP4| "Resourcefulness in Childcare"
Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer and local service providers discuss early childhood development and resources available for parents and children. The program also approaches why seeking help should be encouraged and that a helping hand with mental health, food insecurity, daycare, and more is available and more accessible than you may think.
Watch & Listen Building Blocks: The Podcast
This podcast will take a deep dive into the early stages of childhood development and beyond. Host Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer of First Things First Porter County will converse with local experts, parents, and practitioners about the building blocks for brain and language development. Tune in to learn more about how Northwest Indiana is serving families and young children!
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In this episode of Building Blocks, Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer speaks with Chuck Roberts, President and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, about the origin, impact, and future of the Building Blocks multimedia project. Roberts shares how his past experiences shaped his passion for early childhood development and how that passion led to the collaboration between Lakeshore Public Media and First Things First Porter County. -
In this episode, Julie Wendorf of Crown Point Library shares how libraries foster early literacy through play, storytelling, and parent engagement. She highlights the impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and stresses the importance of access to books at home. Wendorf envisions libraries as inclusive, evolving spaces that support families and build community. -
Dr. Karen Carradine leads Head Start/Early Head Start in Northwest Indiana. A lifelong champion for early learning, she began as a Head Start student in 1966 and has since shaped programs in Chicago and beyond. With decades of leadership, she focuses on school preparedness, family partnerships, and data-driven excellence for children from birth to five.Brandy Jania, Deputy Director of Geminus Head Start, brings 15 years of service, leadership, and lived experience as a former Head Start parent. She earned her MA in in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University, and now champions family engagement and community partnerships, blending professional expertise with personal insight to uplift children and families.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjXonB3wHFc&feature=youtu.be
The Building Blocks initiative would not be possible without the expertise and guidance of co-producer Mary Jane Eisenhauer of First Things First Porter County, the support of the Legacy Foundation, Purdue University Northwest, Porter County Community Foundation, and Lakeshore Board Member, Susan Eleuterio and her husband, Tom Sourlis.
