Meditation and How It Can Improve Your Life : Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Announces Leadership Transition and Reaffirms Continued Commitment to Its Mission

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana today announced that Executive Director Dawn Michaels, who has served in the role for the past eight years, will be stepping down effective December 31, 2025. Michaels leaves with more than a decade of dedicated service, visionary leadership, and organizational advancement, leaving a legacy that will influence the mission for years to come.

During Michaels’ tenure, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana experienced transformational growth and measurable community impact. The organization expanded the development of essential workforce housing across Lake County—with notable progress in Lake Station—completed one Veteran home per year and continued to grow the ReStore into a thriving resource that supports ongoing mission work. Under her direction, partnerships deepened, programs strengthened, and the organization’s ability to serve families in need of safe, affordable housing continued to rise.

“Dawn has made an incredible impact on our organization and the communities we serve,” said Chris Johnson, Board President “Through her leadership and commitment to our mission, we are stronger, more resilient, and better positioned for the future. We are deeply grateful for the past decade of service and impact.”

Reflecting on her time with the organization, Michaels shared:

“It has been such a joy to serve Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana and work alongside such a passionate board, staff, volunteers, and community. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that the organization’s brightest days are still ahead.”

The Board of Directors has initiated a leadership transition plan to ensure continuity and sustained success. Information regarding the Executive Director position can be found on the organization’s website: https://www.nwihabitat.org/who-we-are/careers.html

Michaels will work closely with the Board and leadership team during the transition to support a seamless handover of responsibilities.

Ask Us How You Can Get a Tax Credit for Your Donation!

We are so excited to share with you that donors to Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana are eligible for a tax credit equal to half of their donations!

Donors need to contact us to get the tax credit form and more information on how you can participate.

Direct your tax dollars to Lake County, Indiana by helping give your neighbors a hand-up and not a hand-out through Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program!

Call Amanda to get all the information! 219-923-7265 ext. 1304

April 8, 2024

Meditation and How It Can Improve Your Life

We’ve all heard of meditation before. The technique is deep mental reflection used for relaxation, heightened energy and developed well-being. Meditation has existed for centuries, but just recently have researchers begun to truly understand the benefits it can give us.

What used to be considered a strange and unreliable exercise has now grown in popularity to impact all of society; Oprah, NFL players, even the U.S. Marine Corps have tried it.

Truth is, meditation is powerful. If you’re still unsure whether or not the practice is worth looking into, check out these top ways meditation can help improve your life.

Mental Merit

Decreased levels of anxiety.
Improved processing of information.
Preserved brain matter during the aging process.
Heightened concentration ability.
Stronger memory retention and recall.
Better problem solving and decision making abilities.
Increased clarity and peace of mind.

Physical Fitness

Strengthened immune system.
Lowered blood pressure.
Heightened energy level through an inner source of energy.
Decreased tension-related pains, such as headaches, muscle and joint problems.
Improved breathing and heart rates.
Slowed aging process.
Lessened premenstrual and menopausal pain.

Emotional Excellence

Increased serotonin production for improved mood.
Expanded levels of optimism and awareness.
Improved emotional steadiness and harmony.
Enhanced self-esteem and self-acceptance.
Decreased levels of depression.
Heightened resilience against pain and adversity.
Prevents self-destructive emotional activities, such as smoking.

When it comes to meditation, these benefits are only the tip of the iceberg. The practice has been shown to drastically improve quality of life, and studies have just begun to research it.

Try it out for yourself by taking a short time each day in the morning or evening to practice deep breathing, quiet mental activity and self-reflection. Let your thoughts go without having to react to them. Once meditation becomes a part of your daily routine, you’ll see its benefits become a regular part of your life.

So next time you’re feeling stressed out, physically exhausted or emotionally deprived, try meditating for a little while. You may be surprised at just how great you’ll feel.

Return To List