City leaders direct $1M toward food banks to offset possible SNAP loss
City leaders, local companies and food banks have teamed up to create a $1 million-plus partnership and fundraising push to help more than 200 food pantries in Indianapolis.
Human Services
City hosts groundbreaking for low-barrier shelter expected to open in 2027
The project is being funded through a $12 million commitment from the city along with $20 million approved by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
City plans to use vacant west-side warehouse for winter homeless shelter
The city plans to lease a warehouse just east of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with capacity for up to 160 individuals.
Indianapolis conducts annual count of homeless population
Volunteers departed from the home base at Horizon House on East Washington Street to more than 300 locations where homeless individuals are likely to spend the night.
DCS staffing levels nearly full statewide, but lacking in some areas
Of the Department of Child Services’ 19 regions, 10 meet staffing standards and an additional four have at least 90% of the staff they need. The statewide staffing level is 99%.
Pacers, Colts team with city on Drive & Dish initiative to reduce food insecurity
The new program aimed at several city neighborhoods has a $530,000 fund, which includes donations from Carlisle, Pacers minority owner Steve Simon, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and the Indianapolis Colts.
CEO Booth to retire after 30 years at Child Advocates
Cindy Booth joined Child Advocates as its first full-time staff attorney in 1994. She was named CEO of the not-for-profit in 1996 and has held that position ever since.
Indy point-in-time count finds 8% drop in homeless population
The annual census of the city’s houseless population found 1,619 unique individuals who were unsheltered, sheltered or in transitional housing.
Indianapolis not-for-profit Noble Inc. announces new CEO
Wade Wingler will succeed Julia Huffman, who is retiring at the end of March after 11 years in the position.
Wheeler Mission names Perry Hines as president, CEO
Chief Development Officer Hines will succeed Rick Alvis, who has led Wheeler Mission for nearly 33 years.
Damien Center launches $4M capital campaign to help fund new HQ
The not-for-profit organization said it has outgrown its existing 15,000-square-foot headquarters building at 26 N. Arsenal Ave. due to heavy demand for its services and programs.
Lilly to give $34M in grants to eight local human services organizations
Lilly Endowment said the grants, ranging from $1 million to $7.5 million, will help the organizations strengthen their long-term financial sustainability plans.
78,000 pounds of infant formula arrives in Indianapolis
A military plane carrying enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday, the first of several flights to the United States expected from Europe aimed at relieving a ongoing shortage.
As city boosts spending on anti-crime grants, some call for more accountability
Indianapolis has put more than $30 million into about 600 grants since 2009, when it launched what’s now called the Violent Crime Prevention Grants Program.
Not-for-profit leader to head new city domestic violence program
The program is designed to help those living through domestic violence recognize the abuse, escape it and then recover and rebuild, while also helping current service providers coordinate their efforts.
First 1,000 Afghan refugees could arrive at Camp Atterbury this week
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Emily Ketterer and
Emily Ketterer and Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana National Guard on Wednesday released some details about the process of temporarily housing 5,000 Afghan refugees at Camp Atterbury.
Biden administration OKs largest boost to food assistance benefits in SNAP history
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is expected to announce Monday morning that benefit amounts for the program, formerly known as food stamps, will rise an average of 25% above pre-pandemic levels.
Expanded women’s shelter to offer more beds, more dignity
Wheeler Mission is set to open an expanded center for homeless women and children that will nearly double the space for services, add 160 short- and long-term beds, and enhance programming.
Fresh wave of rental help on way as eviction moratorium extended for ‘final’ time
Since IndyRent launched last July, it has provided $96.1 million in emergency rental assistance to help thousands of residents stay housed in the midst of the pandemic’s economic fallout.
Hamilton County plans domestic violence shelter
Plans to build the county’s first shelter are taking shape, but questions remain about the project’s location and funding, which could put its eventual construction in jeopardy.