Connecting hearts, minds, and hands to meet needs in our community
UNITE INDY To Hold First Jobs For Life Reentry Class
One of the stumbling blocks to getting and keeping a job for those leaving incarceration is a lack of understanding about workplace culture and employer expectations. Phillip Moore, (pictured) is one of UNITE INDY's volunteers certified as a Jobs for Life (JfL) class facilitator who has been teaching volunteer mentors in preparation for an upcoming class of jobless parolees referred to UNITE INDY by Indiana Department of Corrections parole officers. Once COVID restrictions are lifted, UNITE INDY will be taking these classes inside our jails and prisons to teach inmates who are preparing for release. We’re also educating participating SecondChanceIndy.com employers about the Jobs for Life course content, its emphasis on character development, and the high level of participant commitment required to complete the course. Our employer feedback indicates that JfL graduates will get priority consideration for job placement because of this training--jobs that will help them make a successful transition into society, as they support themselves and their families.
Three Days Ago: Six Shot Within Four Hours
This WISH TV graphic shows the locations of six shootings that took place Tuesday of this week. Five died and one person was critically wounded. As of this writing, that makes nine deadly shootings so far this year. Following 2020s record of 215 gun homicides here, our city is on track to hit that record again in the next 12 months. Mayor Hogsett has spent $4 million to combat these crimes, but the murders continue. Almost always, the altercations involve petty arguments. There have been programs in other cities that have worked to curb gun violence and although our efforts have helped, they have fallen short of what needs to be done. It is time we radically change our approach. Poverty and hopelessness are root causes, but illegal weapons have to be dealt with. Unite Indy On Poverty
Predatory Lenders Have A New Group to Contend With
UNITE INDY and other anti-payday loan advocates have joined with Prosperity Indiana and the Indiana Institute for Working Families to create 'Hoosiers for Responsible Lending' (HRL). HRL will focus on predatory payday lending policies and work to promote responsible lending policy alternatives that support the financial wellbeing of Hoosiers across the state of Indiana. There is already legislation in process that would legalize new lending products that will expand usury in our poorest neighborhoods. This work is far from over! More news from HRL to come soon! Check out Prosperity Indiana and Institute for Working Families
Jesse and Michelle Tie the Knot!
Jesse, (second from left) and Nancy (left) forged a relationship through their letters when he was still in prison. All he wanted was to be released so that he could meet a wonderful person, start a normal life, and have a family. Jim and Nancy were proud to be included in a close group of friends and relatives who celebrated that dream coming to reality a few weeks ago. Congratulations to Jesse and Michelle, may all God's blessings be upon them. Their marriage is a happy ending to one part of Jesse's life, and a happy beginning to all the years to come.
We get so used to all the good things we have, we don't even notice them...
While the rest of the world (including me) groused in their holiday missives about the terrible year we’ve had, a friend who suffers from a debilitating disease wrote “We have so much to be grateful for…our Savior and family, Spirit and hope. We are happy, we are well. Most of all we are blessed." I know her pain, I know her husband's self-sacrifice. Yet, in spite of it all, she feels blessed. Meanwhile most of us disregard the great blessings we have. Can we do better? Read Nancy's blog and "give thanks in all circumstances." Read Nancy's Latest Post!
Why Support UNITE INDY?
UNITE INDY fights the root cause of poverty, which impacts many of the other major problems we face in our city.
In addition to a major effort to work with the 12,000 inmates reentering our area after incarceration (above) we are working to improve employment in our poorest neighborhoods.



How You Can Support Jobs for Justice- Involved Individuals
  1. Volunteer to be a Champion (mentor).
  2. Volunteer to be a Prayer Team Leader.
  3. Become a Member - Your tax deductible gift will buy either 5 Student Workbooks for a class or 10 meals for students, their mentors, and instructors to gather around a table before each class, sharing food, transforming the moment into something more unique by creating a sense of community, which strengthens the relationship building process.

Support of Ministries and Charities:
Since 2017 UNITE INDY has provided a free web-based system at UNITEINDY.org that connects churches, their time or gifts of money or needed items. UNITE INDY also provides the manpower necessary to assist smaller organizations—that have no one to upload needed items—the help they require to access this service. Through this portal, UNITE INDY has brought thousands of dollars worth of needed goods into the hands of those who assist the poor.

Serving the Servants:
UNITE INDY comes behind urban pastors and ministry leaders by addressing personal and professional needs with free services for those who work tirelessly in their neighborhoods to care for the needy and bereft.

Remember, almost 1 out of every 3 children in Indianapolis lives below the poverty level, yet even in the aftermath of the shut down, as our economy comes back to life and employment is returning, all this good news stops at the lines surrounding many of our inner city neighborhoods. In some neighborhoods of Marion County unemployment is now 21%, and poverty remains the overwhelming divider of people.

Please send a check today to UNITE INDY, 241 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. Or donate via credit card by clicking Here. It is secure and safe. By sending your fully tax deductible gift* now we can have a greater impact meeting needs in our community in 2021.

Many, many thanks, and Happy New Year!

*UNITE INDY, Inc. is approved under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) as a Public Charity, donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170.
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