“The purpose behind the Holiday Train is an opportunity to give back to the communities in which we live and operate in, across Canada and the United States,” said CPKC Spokesman Terry Cunha.

Goshen Fire Department is training Maple, a golden retriever, as its first therapy dog to support first responders and residents during stressful calls and community emergencies.

YMCA CEO Mark Weber says their child care center serving St. Joseph and Benton Harbor is full, and he says downtown South Bend lacks a high-quality child care option for downtown workers.

Students expelled from the South Bend Community School Corporation – and those struggling in a traditional classroom – will soon have a new option. The school district rolled out plans for a new alternative education program during Monday’s school board meeting.

The city of South Bend, St. Joseph County and the Michiana Council of Governments would create a new nonprofit to administer the land bank program. It aims to reduce the number of vacant properties and create new affordable housing opportunities in blighted neighborhoods.

Beltone’s “Hear for the Holidays” program is accepting nominations in Elkhart and Warsaw to give free hearing aids to people who need them but can’t afford them.