Tag: central indiana

Stronger Families for a Healthy Community

Hoosiers can be a hearty, no-nonsense breed: If there’s a problem, we get busy fixing it. Indeed, there are countless organizations in Central Indiana that offer services to help with any challenge a person might face. But what happens when an individual’s problem threatens the well-being of an entire family unit? That’s where Families First can help.

Families First
Families First, 2240 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

Families First was established in 1835 as the Indiana Benevolent Society, with a mission to provide aid and assistance to indigent families in Indianapolis. While its name has changed during its 185 years of service to our community, Families First remains focused on helping people deal with the challenges and changes in their lives.

Gina Hays, Director of Communications and Development, shared this about the organization’s focus: “The name ‘Families First’ is intentional. We believe that, for individuals to reach their full potential and for communities to thrive, strong healthy families must come first.” 

As the oldest non-sectarian, non-profit organization in the state, Families First is a trusted resource for crisis prevention and response in our community…one family at a time. Each year, the agency helps more than 20,000 people tackle challenges that are tough to face alone, like grief, substance use, domestic violence and mental health issues.    

An ongoing challenge for the organization is a lack of public awareness of the importance of good mental health. For many of us, it’s too easy to judge others and the way they handle stressful situations. At Families First, staff and volunteers recognize that life’s experiences can affect a person’s ability to function at their highest potential, and that we don’t always have all the tools we need to be successful and happy in life.

“Think of it like a building project: For a building to be strong, it needs to have the right materials and a strong foundation. As it ages, it will require occasional maintenance,” said David Siler, President and CEO of Families First. “Similarly, human well-being is built and strengthened by materials like social relationships, good parenting, a sufficient income, community resources, and opportunities to thrive.”

Families First offers a broad array of programs, from anger management and addiction services to a 24/7 crisis and suicide intervention hotline. Aside from individual and group counseling—most of which is being offered virtually during COVID-19—the agency provides helpful information for families through its monthly blog and a podcast titled “The Family Table”.

Families First

For more than 20 years, Families First has hosted a “Salute to Families” breakfast, representing the agency’s biggest fundraiser. This annual event features national speakers and local public figures and typically raises critical funds needed to sustain programs. Because of pandemic-related limitations, this year’s event will switch from a single-day event to a two-week virtual campaign, beginning September 24. Stay tuned to the Families First website for more information about this giving opportunity.

Here’s How You Can Help:

  • Use your Kroger card or Amazon account to support Families First. When you designate Families First as the recipient, a percentage of your purchases will be automatically forwarded to the cause.
  • Volunteer to help with the crisis line, support groups, sexual assault response or fundraising. Sign up for an upcoming “no obligation” information session to learn more.

Housing Gets a Helping HAND

Before COVID-19, people in Central Indiana spent a lot of time talking about their commutes to and from work. We all know someone who regularly drives from the suburbs into Indianapolis, and then back to enjoy family life in one of Indy’s “doughnut” counties.

Let’s talk about the reverse of that scenario though: What about the Hoosiers who work in the suburbs and travel from Indianapolis to reach their jobs each day? They’re the people whom we rely on to cook and serve our food, stock our favorite stores, and teach in our schools. These workers—employed by some of the lowest-paying industries—face a major problem: Indy’s surrounding counties don’t have enough safe and affordable housing, so that people can afford to live where they work.

Andrea Davis
Andrea Davis, Executive Director

That’s not okay, in the words of Andrea Davis, Executive Director of HAND Incorporated. Founded in 2003 as Hamilton County Area Neighborhood Development Inc., HAND addresses the housing needs of low and moderate-income individuals, families and senior citizens in Indy’s northern suburbs.  

Statistics show that there’s a genuine need for more affordable housing options. According to United Way of Central Indiana’s ALICE project*, 17% of Hamilton County households earn more than the federal poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living. Considering Hamilton County’s population, 17% equates to 21,000 households where families struggle to pay for their basic needs. Without affordable housing options, these families are often forced to live outside their preferred communities.

“Where we live impacts every aspect of our lives,” said Davis. “Our homes are the foundation for our health, education, safety, and economic well-being. At HAND, we believe everyone should have the chance to live in their community of choice, regardless of age, income or occupation.”

HAND Incorporated

That’s a tall order in some of Indiana’s most affluent communities, where established residents have expressed concerns about the addition of lower-cost housing options. Misperceptions feed this opposition: Neighbors often assume that “affordable housing” equates to poorly constructed or aesthetically lacking developments, harkening back to ill-fated public housing projects from the middle of last century.

HAND is working to abate these concerns and promote awareness of their properties, which are thoughtfully designed to compliment existing neighborhoods. HAND currently owns seven affordable rental communities in Hamilton County and one in Boone County, with a ninth development proposed in Tipton. Each HAND-developed project is constructed with durable, high-quality materials, including stone, brick and fiber cement board. Additionally, HAND uses energy-efficient materials and appliances to keep living expenses low for residents.

To raise money for their work and promote awareness, HAND hosts a number of fun and informative events. Its annual Suburban Housing Conference is an opportunity for advocates and local partners to hear from elected officials and partnering organizations as they discuss advancements in affordable housing. In November, HAND will host its innovative “Stay Home for HAND” fundraiser, where participants support the cause financially without the obligation to attend a black-tie event. And earlier this year, the agency hosted its popular “Trivia Night” fundraiser, where supporters enjoy a fun-filled evening of food and trivia contests.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Donate to HAND to fund their ongoing work to promote and deliver affordable housing options.
  • Volunteer to help the cause by serving on committees or the Board of Directors. Volunteers’ time and expertise is essential to the success of HAND’s small staff.
  • Advocate for HAND and for affordable housing options in your community. Tell your elected officials that it’s important to you that people who work in your community are also able to live in it.

*Study Reveals 38% of Hoosier Working Families Struggle to Afford the Basics
https://uwci.org/study-reveals-39-of-hoosier-working-families-struggle-to-afford-the-basics/