STRANGE TIMES:
Jobs Available, But Many Returnees Are Making More To Stay Home
SecondChanceIndy.com has been very successful in signing up employers who want to hire those returning from long term incarceration. Unfortunately many are receiving so much Federal money that they are unwilling to pursue employment.
This is very disappointing to all of us who work to secure not only employment for returnees, but also long-term economic stability for their dependents.
One Federal employee said, "When they shut off this shower of checks, a lot of people are going to need jobs fast." We at UNITE INDY know that in spite of everything, many reentrants do want to work. SecondChanceIndy.com employment opportunities are ready for all those who know a bright future is built on the foundation of work and advancement and we continue to connect jobs with those who want to begin to build that future today. SecondChanceIndy.com
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U.S. Senate Vote Overturns Fake-Lender Legislation
Good news came from Washington this week for our local and state efforts to stem onerous payday lending practices.
In a bipartisan vote, the U.S. Senate overturned a regulation that allowed predatory lenders to make loans with exorbitant interest rates approaching or exceeding 200% in states that prohibit such loans. The “fake lender” rule that was overturned had paved the way for a massive expansion of predatory lending here and in all 50 states.
The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) coalition partners are redoubling efforts to ensure that the House moves to follow the Senate's lead in curbing these “rent-a-bank” schemes. Stay tuned for updates about the status in the House! Meanwhile, we are working locally to find ways to make short term funds more available at a fair market price. Read More!
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"I Refuse Hate"
When Tyler Perry stood up to accept a humanitarian award at the Oscar ceremony recently, he said words we all need to hear.
“I refuse hate, I refuse to hate someone because they are Mexican, or black, or white, or LBGTQ, or police officers, or Asian… I dedicate this award to all those who will stand with me in the middle.”
While our media works overtime to promote fear and distrust, we must choose a higher way. We can choose to celebrate diversity and point to the fact that there is overwhelmingly more caring collaboration than all the claims to the contrary. Says Nancy, "There is no superior group, there is only a superior way. " Check out Nancy's most recent blog post!
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UNITE INDY Inmate Correspondents Team Rallies Army of Writers to Share Challenges and Victories
Writing an inmate can be one of the most fulfilling efforts of one's life. Soon, caring inmate correspondents who work through UNITE INDY will meet together to share their experiences and discuss ways to better help those in prison through our letters. We know that loneliness is pervasive in the inmate population, our letters are perhaps the only positive social interactions available. But the most important job we do is show true friendship and kindness as we provide Godly support and advice when asked.
We are looking forward to sharing our experiences, to helping each other as we face questions and challenges and to strengthening our team of inmate correspondents in their important and generous work.
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Legislature Gives Police Reform a Boost
At the recent Race and Cultural Relations Leadership Network meeting, Marshawn Wolley who is active in the African American coalition of organizations, summarized measures taken during this Indiana legislative session regarding police reform.
Lawmakers unanimously backed a bill aimed at increasing police accountability, including provisions for mandatory de-escalation training, misdemeanor penalties for officers who turn off body cameras, and bans on chokeholds in certain circumstances. The bill signed by Governor Holcomb also establishes a procedure for a state police training board to decertify officers who commit misconduct and eases the sharing of employment records between police departments. Wolley commented, “We had major wins in the area of criminal justice reform, police reform, and juvenile justice.” Rules for decertification of “bad cops” were roundly hailed as positive by police departments across the sate. Said Wolley, “Nobody wants bad cops.” More on Indiana police reform.
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Why Support UNITE INDY?
In addition to a major effort to work with the 12,000 inmates reentering our area after incarceration2 we are working to improve employment in our poorest neighborhoods.
How You Can Support Jobs for Justice- Involved Individuals
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.
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Support of Ministries and Charities:
Since 2017 UNITE INDY has provided a free web-based system at UNITEINDY.org that connects churches, ministries, and other charities to share their volunteer needs 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 hundreds of volunteers and 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 donate to UNITE INDY now. There are a number of choices that are all 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!
*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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