After the successful launching the local website www.nwishoplocal.com with his own Brilliance CRM Software, and after years and years of concerted efforts, John Marx (a Veteran) from Fawkes Digital launched a Homeless Shelter Website for Valparaiso, Northwest Indiana, Statewide and Nationwide.
In 2008, (17 years ago) the Mayor Jon Costas of Valparaiso, Indiana, took a bold step in addressing homelessness by launching a city-driven initiative to set an example for how other cities could tackle this pressing issue. His vision was clear: to create lasting solutions that would provide stability and support for those in need. It targeted helping men, the most significant part of the homeless population, as there were other resources to help women and children. While his leadership ignited hope, the project was eventually abandoned when the incoming administration no longer believed in the project.
It wasnโt until November 2021 that John Marx discovered the project was abandoned. Consequently John immediately purchased the name valposhelter.org — the original, and valposhelter.com as it was also available. Over time, John started educating himself on local people experiencing homelessness. Their struggle became his mission in life and it still is today. He found out that more men were experiencing homelessness than families and that many of them just had run into bad situations, but equally many had just hit hard times and struggles.
John talked with every local Valparaiso church, and learned that some local cities were bussing their homeless to Valparaiso and Valpo didnโt have enough spaces, so many homeless were sleeping in tents โ even in the cold winter. He learned of other struggles the homeless have from access to the internet, necessary travel, housing, food, and even support groups. Oftentimes, many local Valparaiso organizations were a godsend. Rich Schmidt from Living Hope Church kept a link to the site available and the local library helped, too. Finally, the homeless truly had a support network they never realized, and local organizations and churches were getting the message out that this resource was available to them. John found out that due to a local Valparaiso ordinance, local organizations could only house people for only five days and they had to be tossed around from place to place.
Unfortunately, the site was running on a static page. John decided it was time to start converting the business software (Brilliance CRM) John had written that included new functionality so that Fawkes Digital could easily make it available to more than one location. After just two more weeks, their software, now called Brilliance CRM, was able to handle an unlimited number of cities and towns in Indiana and across the entire country. Yes, in the beginning there was only going to be one state, as there was never a plan to expand beyond Indiana.
Due to his own divorce, John was about to become homeless himself. A longtime friend in Alabama offered help, and as John drove south, he discovered many homeless shelters on the way. John has spent the last two and a half years revamping his software, tweaking it, and making it something that could handle the entire country while also working 12+ hours a day to make ends meet.
As he now travels throughout Alabama he sees that the homeless problem is equally bad everywhere, and help is needed. This continues to fire his passion for truly making a difference. John continues to search, find, and add more information that has now become a key part of his life. Thankful, it was by the grace of God that he is where he is today and is able to make a difference. It may be small, but John feels that starting and doing is the only way to solve any problem. Please help spread the word about local Northwest Indiana resources by emailing panoramanow@comcast.net.
EDITORโS NOTE:
A new homeless shelter for men in Valparaiso, named Daybreak that was facilitated by the Valparaiso Respite Halfway House, info@respitehouse.org, is now open (2025). The city of Valparaiso donated the property on Hovey Dr. that is also a warming/cooling Shelter,
In addition, the newly formed โCommunity Change Center: We are Oneโ (Facebook Page ) has a weekly dinner every Friday night Living Hope Church, located at 1115 Calumet Ave., email: rich@livinghope.info, 219-462-1245.
For those needing Valparaiso transportation, Ed Ross has started a volunteer small bus service for Valparaiso homeless only. His phone number isโ 219-242-1045, or may be contacted thru email ed.ross41@gmail.net. He is also seeking volunteer drivers.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
