In a move to improve public access to essential services, Calumet Township Trustee Tai Adkins has reinstated a five-day work week for the Trustee’s Office, restoring Friday hours for the first time in years. Effective Monday, May 19, 2025, the office is now open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., remaining closed on weekends and all official holidays.
The change marks a return to pre-pandemic accessibility. While the exact date the office began closing on Fridays remains unclear, reduced public hours were widely adopted by township offices across Indiana during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Calumet Township, those limited hours continued even after restrictions eased, prompting criticism from residents who rely on the office for emergency and poverty relief services.
“The families of Calumet Township must receive every opportunity to access our office, as we return to a five-day work week,” said Trustee Adkins in a public statement. “The increasing need for poor relief assistance in our community has not gone unnoticed, and it must be addressed with increased hours of operation.”
The Trustee’s Office, located at 610 Connecticut Street in Gary, offers a range of assistance to residents, including utility payments, food vouchers, rental and mortgage assistance, burial services, medical expenses, traveler’s aid, temporary shelter, and school uniform support. It also provides access to a job search initiative for unemployed individuals.
All services are administered according to eligibility requirements set by the State of Indiana, which governs township trustee relief programs across the state. Calumet Township, which includes much of Gary and surrounding areas, has long faced high rates of poverty, unemployment, and housing instability—factors that have made access to trustee assistance critical for many households.
Township trustee offices in Indiana are responsible for delivering direct aid to residents in need. These offices often serve as a last resort for individuals and families who have exhausted other forms of public assistance. By increasing availability through extended hours, the Calumet Township Trustee’s Office aims to better meet the growing demand for support.
The public can contact the office at (219) 880-4000 or visit the official website at www.calumettwp-in.gov for more information on services, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
Trustee Adkins, elected in 2022, has prioritized transparency and community engagement during her tenure. The return to a full work week reflects her administration’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to public resources and improving the quality of life for township residents.