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.
The third episode of Building Blocks is set to premiere on April 30th, 2025 at 8 PM!
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 | EP2 "Early Relational Health"
Relationships - nothing affects us more. Our early interactions with those closest to us inform our emotional and physical well-being throughout our lives. Building Blocks: Early Relational Health encourages parents to explore everyday opportunities to form strong, resilient attachments with their children and feel confident in their parenting role. When we strengthen relationships we strengthen families and, ultimately, our community.
Building Blocks | EP1 "The "Whole" Child"
Building Blocks explores the crucial first one-thousand days of childhood development. Filled with personal accounts and professional knowledge, episode one balances the ideas of relational health, physical health, cognitive development and early intervention; all contributing to the "whole child".
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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Host Mary Jane Eisenhauer is joined by LPM's President & CEO, Chuck Roberts, and guest, Senator Rodney Pol on the latest episode of "Building Blocks: The Podcast." Senator Rodney Pol of the 4th District of Indiana shares his journey from blue-collar work to law and public service, emphasizing the importance of community efforts in revitalizing areas like Gary, Indiana, and much more. -
Erika Robinson-Watkins, an advocate for families, is a Valparaiso Community School Board member. She champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring schools are safe and supportive for all. Erika is passionate about mental health support and easing financial struggles for working families. A mother of two, she understands the challenges families face and commits to making life better for her community. -
Heather Hahn-Sullivan, Executive Director of the Dunes Learning Center, is a passionate naturalist and tireless advocate for environmental education across the National Parks and Indiana Dunes. The Dunes Learning Center recently received a Collaboration Challenge Grant from First Things First Porter County to support innovative programming for pregnant women, infants, toddlers and their families.
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.
