When you think back, what would you say was the greatest day of your life?

At the Foundation, we have had some pretty good days lately as we feel fortunate to deliver grant checks to our twelve recipients for 2010. However, not many of us have the same perspective as Dan, a former Marine and recovering alcoholic who became homeless. Now living at a Partners in Housing facility specifically for veterans, Dan says that each day is the greatest day of his life. "Yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn't here yet," is his motto, so he lives life to the fullest. Learn more of Dan's story on the Partners in Housing Web site: http://www.pihdc.org/

Would you like to meet some of our grant recipients in person? If so, contact Molly Hahn at 317/956.5255. We will be delivering checks throughout the next two weeks.

Hancock Hope House ($15,000) provides shelter services for families and single men from Hancock, Rush and Shelby counties.

Christian Help, Inc ($10,000) offers supportive affordable housing through a life skills project in which each family helps to rehab a mobile home. Each family has an 18 month plan for home ownership.

Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center ($10,000) maintains a unique program called Fostering Independence for young adults who have aged out of foster care and are homeless. Residents live in community and are provided with supportive services.

Pathway to Recovery ($10,000) operates 5 housing programs providing a seamless continuum of care beginning with supportive housing and ending with permanent housing for over 70 homeless participants battling mental health and substance abuse issues including 11 families. 

Coburn Place Safe Haven ($5,000) provides safe, affordable housing and supportive services to women and children who are homeless because of leaving abusive situations.  

Dayspring Center ($5,000) provides emergency and transitional housing plus supportive services to families.

Desert Rose ($5,000) gives women in central Indiana a safe, protected retreat from abuse for them and their children, coupled with resources and guidance to help them rebuild their lives free from domestic violence.

Dove Recovery House for Women ($5,000) provides housing for women with drug and alcohol addictions.

Gennesaret Free Clinic ($5,000) runs the Health Recovery Program that houses men during their recovery from a hospital stay while providing supportive services on the road to permanent housing.

Holy Family Transitional Housing ($5,000) offers shelter and services to help families break the cycle of homelessness, providing the stability necessary to be successful in school, work and life.

Partners in Housing ($5,000) operates 350 units of affordable permanent supportive housing throughout Marion County.

Sheltering Wings Center for Women ($5,000) gives women in central Indiana a safe, protected retreat from abuse for them and their children, coupled with resources and guidance to help them rebuild their lives free from domestic violence.

I think everyone would agree that it has been a long year since the economy really took a turn for the worse last fall. All of us have had to make adjustments in our business plans, our spending habits and our consciousness of the vulnerability of those around us.

Yet, today, there are glimmers of hope. From the Foundation’s standpoint, we are glad that service providers for the homeless have been able to stay afloat and serve the ever-growing population of families in need.

What can you do to help the situation when you may have your own concerns?
·         Volunteer. We guarantee it will be a gift to yourself, not only the people you are helping. Volunteering keeps things in perspective.
·         Donate money. Whether it’s a neighbor in need or an official charity, everyone has something to give, and every dollar counts.
·         Be aware.  Look for issues in the paper that affect our most vulnerable citizens, such as the legislation surrounding the documents required to get a State ID card. Spread the word to everyone!

The bottom line is this: this economic condition is not going to be cured by a single act of Congress or a single home or car buyer. It takes everyone to be engaged. To learn more about the Foundation’s efforts to solve homelessness, contact Molly Hahn today at the Foundation office: 317/956.5255. We promise you it will be a call that can change your life forever!

For some reason, homelessness and Harvard have collided in the news twice lately. These are both interesting pieces about young people finding their way through the homeless system.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/24/homeless.to.harvard/index.html?iref=newssearch

http://multimedia.boston.com/m/25672397/homeless-at-harvard.htm

It's been nearly a month since I've shared insight with you on this blog - sorry that I've been a bit busy! I hope some of you have caught our short updates on Facebook and Twitter during that time.

Much of July was spent gearing everyone up for our Foundation golf outing, which was a great event on July 23. Thanks to all of our volunteers, sponsors and players who helped raise just over $22,000 for the Foundation's efforts to solve homelessness!

With families still in crisis in central Indiana, the Foundation still needs your help this year. We just received nearly $300,000 in requests for grants, and we would like to do our part to fulfill those requests. Can you help by donating $50, $25, or $10? Do your part today by clicking here! http://www.realtorfoundation.org/

Did you catch one of the Foundation's Board members in the Indy Star last week? What a great story! Click here for the full version: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907260385

One last note for today - Maria Larrison, the CEO of Sheltering Wings, has started a new blog. If you want to learn more about their programs for victims of domestic violence, click here: http://shelteringwings.org/blog/

Some of the statistics reported in this article really surprised me. This is a population that is obviously overlooked and growing rapidly.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009907030355

Our Foundation development coordinator, Molly Hahn, attended CHIP's annual meeting. If you would like the recap, check out this story on Channel 8 (WISH):

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/region_1/Experts_meet_about_homeless_prevention_20090701

Are you ready to help every central Indiana family find a home? Join us at CHIP's (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention) Annual Meeting, to be held on July 1 at Barnes & Thornburg in downtown Indy (11 S. Meridian St., 5th Fl). Registration is from 8-8:30 a.m. and the program will last from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m..

No cost to attend - and your attention to this important discussion will be much appreciated!
RSVP to Corey Behmer at cbehmer@chipindy.org or call 472-7631.

www.endhomelessindy.org

Desperate times are becoming more desperate for area families, according to local estimates on family homelessness. Check out this article that posted yesterday on WTHR: http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=10547035&nav=menu188_2

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090612/NEWS02/90612047/1145/LOCAL02/Ex-wife+dies++ex-husband+to+face+new+charge This story appeared over the weekend in the Indy Star and proves that domestic violence can happen any time anywhere.