May 20, 2024

May 2024 volunteer & advocacy

Welcome!

Welcome to Heading Home's Volunteer and Advocacy Newsletter! Here you'll find upcoming volunteer and advocacy opportunities within the field of housing security – and beyond! Take action, get involved and help to create a positive impact in our region.

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Spotlight Quote:

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

-- Arthur Ashe

Action & Hope for Housing

Last week, Heading Home hosted a workshop on housing problem-solving. During the event I shared one of my favorite quotes from Greta Thunberg: "When we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then the hope will come."

Greta is a climate activist, but her words apply just as well to the crisis of housing insecurity. We need both action and hope to ensure all our neighbors have stable, secure housing. Hope alone won't get us there.

Our newsletter highlights just a few ways you can take action, putting your shoulder to this collective work. You can make a difference!

Mary Morgan, Heading Home Director

Advocacy: Sign Petition to Create

Statewide Housing Affordability Commission

A new report co-released by Prosperity Indiana and the National Low Income Housing Coalition finds that amid a dramatic acceleration in the shortage of affordable housing, Indiana’s rates of affordable housing supply and severe housing cost burden for extremely low-income renters are now some of the worst in the Midwest and poorer than the national average.

To address this crisis, Prosperity Indiana is urging Gov. Eric Holcomb to establish a Housing Safety, Stability and Affordability Commission. They have launched a petition to encourage the creation of this commission.

Click here to sign the petition

Advocacy: Housing First Webinars

Prosperity Indiana and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition are hosting a series of webinars aimed at addressing legislation that criminalizes homelessness. The sessions are grounded in Housing First principles.

June 3 at 2 p.m.: Solving Homelessness With Housing First

June 10 at 2 p.m.: The Criminalization of Homelessness

June 17 at 2 p.m.: Compelling Housing First Narratives

South Central Housing Network

Advocacy Committee

The South Central Housing Network's Advocacy Committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. to work on issues at the local, state and federal levels. The group is chaired by Chase Techentin, shelter director at New Hope for Families.

Interested in joining? Fill out a New Member Form here!

Volunteer Spotlight: New Hope for Families

New Hope for Families has several volunteer opportunities open both during the day and in the evenings. These opportunities include classroom helpers in their Early Learning Center, help with phones and donations at the shelter, and Thursday evening activities with families.

If you are interested, you can complete the volunteer registration to join their volunteer contact list and find opportunities that work for you!

Volunteer Spotlight: Beacon

Beac on is looking for volunteers who are willing to commit to volunteering once a week for a two-hour shift. Openings include:

Kitchen Volunteer:

Monday-Friday: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30-9:30 a.m.

If you are interested in this opportunity, visit this link to fill out an application.

Volunteer Spotlight: Wheeler Mission

Are you passionate about combatting food insecurity? Help Wheeler Mission serve meals to guests.

When: Ongoing volunteer opportunity
Morning, afternoon, and evening volunteer shifts are available
Individual/group signups are available here.

Volunteer Spotlight:

Bedford Men's Warming Shelter

The Bedford Men's Warming Shelter has numerous volunteer opportunities (guest check in, food preparation, clothing organization, laundry, haircuts, entertainment for guests (games, music), budgeting training, clerical, etc.).

If you are interested in becoming a shelter volunteer, email volunteer@bedfordmenswarmingshelter.org for more information. The shelter is operated by the Stone City Alliance for Recovery & Hope (SARAH).

About Heading Home of South Central Indiana

Working to Make Homelessness Rare, Brief and Non-Repeating

Heading Home is a catalyst for long-term, system change that will increase housing security for those who call our region home.

Heading Home and our partners are proud members of Built for Zero, a national effort to decrease homelessness through a data-driven, Housing First approach. We are the first in Indiana to be part of the BFZ network!

Heading Home of South Central Indiana | headinghomeindiana.org

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