PORTAGE, IN — When families and educators are connected to the right resources, students gain more than information—they gain opportunity. That belief is at the heart of Bridging the Gap: Pathways to Possibilities, a local initiative led by the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) through READY NWI to strengthen connections among schools, families, and community partners.
Bridging the Gap was designed to make vital career-planning resources more accessible to K-12 students in Porter County. With the inclusion of the Pathways to Possibilities strategy, the program builds strong relationships with community partners, educators, and area employers to provide end-to-end support for students as they explore their futures. From workforce training to occupation exploration, the program brings support systems together in one place—so families and educators spend less time searching for help in preparing students for life beyond high school.
Two Events, One Purpose
This fall, the Bridging the Gap initiative offered two thoughtfully planned community events in Portage that centered on access, connection, and collaboration. The initiatives were created as part of a joint partnership between the Center of Workforce Innovations, the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Portage Township Schools, and READY NWI. This work is supported by the Porter County Community Foundation, whose investment helps to expand access to meaningful college-and-career pathways for area learners. Their success also underscores best practices that can support other schools hoping to build similar community connections.
Teacher Resource Fair
The Teacher Resource Fair provided educators and school staff with a collaborative environment to discover tools and services they could at once implement in their classrooms and counseling offices. Teachers engaged directly with community partners, learned about referral pathways, and collected materials to better support students and their families. The event promoted meaningful relationship-building and reassured educators that they were not facing student challenges alone.
Family Opportunity Night & Bridging the Gap Resource Fair
Family Opportunity Night at Portage High School offers a welcoming experience for families during parent-teacher conferences. Parents, caregivers, and students connected with local organizations asked questions, and received tailored guidance and resources. By bringing multiple providers together, the event made it easier for families to find support through honest conversations and actionable steps. Overall, the successful event helped educators gain valuable insights while connecting families to immediate resources that could make a difference.
“What made the resource fair so powerful was the way it removed barriers,” explained Lauren Nelson, who is a counselor at Portage High School. “Families didn’t have to guess where to find help — they could talk to providers directly. You could see the relief on their faces when they realized they didn’t have to navigate everything alone.”
Building on the success of these two events, CWI and READY NWI are now developing a toolkit to help other schools easily adopt the experience. This implementation guide will feature a full range of practical planning materials—including checklists, communication templates, promotional flyers, and detailed event guides—to support districts in organizing their own Possibilities Pathways resource fairs and teacher engagement events. By packaging the Portage model into a user-friendly format, this new resource helps schools foster the same meaningful connections that strengthen support for educators, families, and students alike.
Built on a Track Record of Success
Bridging the Gap builds on READY NWI’s successful framework for workforce development and career coaching throughout Northwest Indiana. During the 2024-2025 school year, the program supported over 7,500 students across 43 school districts, with 86% of participating students mentioning that our career coaching helped them make informed decisions about their futures.
READY NWI also collaborates with higher education institutions, nonprofits, and employers to ensure that students receive guidance that aligns with real workforce needs. This collaborative approach enhances career readiness while alleviating the demands on busy school staff.
A Community-First Approach
Bridging the Gap was developed with equity at its core—meeting families where they already are and embedding outreach into existing school activities. Rather than creating another appointment or barrier, the program focuses on convenience, visibility, and the Center’s decades of workforce development expertise.
“As a parent and an educator at heart, I understand how important it is for families and teachers to feel supported as students explore their futures,” said Nicole Rodriquez, Director of READY NWI. “That’s why creating this toolkit is so essential to our mission. It offers a clear, accessible roadmap that schools can rely on, helping them build the same supportive connections that have made such a meaningful difference here in Portage.”
Learn More
READY NWI’s Bridging the Gap is part of the Center of Workforce Innovations’ ongoing commitment to building stronger connections between education and opportunity. Educators or organizations interested in obtaining age-appropriate workforce development resources for the classroom can contact:
Nicky Rodriquez
Director, READY NWI
Center of Workforce Innovations
(219) 576-4667
nrodriquez@cwicorp.com