Connecting hearts, minds, and hands to meet needs in our community
Gun Homicide: Disbelief and Discontent On The Street
With 153 gun-related homicides last year, and four new murders this month, it’s clear we haven’t solved the problem of gun violence in our city. The city's “Gun Violence Intervention Program” has been in effect for more than 10 months here, but there is not a lot of evidence the effort Is succeeding.
UNITE INDY has listened to those who are plugged into the situation on the street and find only disbelief and discontent with the effort the city has mounted. Find out what they say is wrong with our efforts and why they believe more death is imminent. Read More.
Second Chance Employment Study Will Help Ex-Offenders Successfully Re-enter Society
 To expand opportunities, we need verifiable evidence of the benefits of hiring justice-involved individuals. To that end, with a grant from an anonymous donor UNITE INDY will help fund a study by Butler University that could dramatically improve the job market for ex-offenders. Jim and Nancy Cotterill of UI, along with other highly motivated second-chance promoters met at BU's Lacy School of Business to discuss the proposed effort. Gathered were academics, business people, local government, and not-for-profit personnel who work in this important field. This is big--no similar studies have ever been done. Based on anecdotal evidence that has been collected, we’re hopeful that a business case can be made that hiring ex-offenders results in increased productivity, lower absenteeism, and reduced turnover. Lead financial backers of the study are Allegiance Staffing and International Warehouse Logistics Association. Updates to come!
UNITE INDY Strategizes with Stakeholders To Promote Social Impact
When caring entities work together to form a critical mass, mountains can be moved! So when the Nexus Impact Center invited UNITE INDY to be part of a group to consider how key players can better collaborate to further our collective impact, we were there. Uniting is the key to success in bringing real change to those who live in generational poverty in Indianapolis. We believe that we make a more powerful difference by collaborating. Stay tuned!
Big Thank You to All Who Donated To Get Jesse a Car!
If you can't get to work, it's hard to keep a job-- a challenge shared by many ex-offenders. But thanks to friends of UNITE INDY who donated through Go Fund me and Facebook, our friend Jesse was able to purchase a car! I hope we've thanked everyone personally, but to all of you, once again... Thank you for your kindness, for digging down and providing help to an ex-offender who is doing everything in his power to earn back his rightful place in his family, his work place, and his city. Here's his Ford Focus all clean and shiny, thanks to you! He is so grateful for your help and so are we!
36% Payday Loan Interest Limit Bill Dies in Committee As Promised by Senator Bass
Indiana State Senator Eric Bass (R) said he would not call SB 26 up for a hearing and he did not. The bill could not progress and died in committee. For years our legislators have allowed payday loan companies to charge up to   391 percent —targeting low income people, who often must use small loans to get by. In spite of a concentrated effort, another year will go by as we allow the poorest among us to struggle under these obscene rates of interest. Greg Walker's (R) Senate Bill 26 would have capped all lenders at 36% APR. Our current 391% rate is criminal. It is usury. UNITE INDY will continue to garner support in the hopes that change can be made sooner rather than later.
Now You Can Painlessly Support our Work of Lifting up the Poor and Under-Served By Donating Your Change
We have partnered with a new mobile app and website that allows you to automatically donate the change from your card purchases to support our work. It’s small change for you, but a game changer for us! Check out the RoundUp App and download it for iPhone, Android or use the Web Version.
To Score Big: Wesley says "Use Social Media!"
Social media is one of the biggest volunteer engagement tools available to nonprofits. Be sure to post consistently, with a variety of posts, to keep your audience engaged. The more people who interact with your posts, the more powerful your social platform will become! To learn more, Email me for help !
Changing Hearts & Minds?
Indiana State Senator Jim Merritt (R) lost his run for mayor, but says he gained an education about the city he loves. Merritt admitted in an interview with Indianapolis Business Journa l that he became more in touch with parts of the city whose inhabitants deal with food deserts, rampant poverty, violence, and often homelessness. Now he is working with those across the aisle to plan legislation that will help people in need, and we at UNITE INDY have personally addressed the needed payday loan legislation with him. We look forward with hope for both a change in his position when this legislation comes up in the future and that he actions start a trend in our State Legislature toward an improved understanding of all those in need in our state.
New Life Development Ministries Graduates 1st Contractor Certification Class
Reverend Gene Potter's dream of training and certifying ex-offenders in construction trades has been realizied. Electricians, plumbers, framers and specialists of all kinds are being trained and certified to enhance their ability to find good paying jobs and become successful re-entrants into our city. Teaching above is David Dodd, an ex-offender who is now a licensed electrician. FYI: Some of the ministry's builders rehabbed our UNITE INDY headquarters last year. Congratulations Rev. Potter! Find out more!
What we do makes a difference!
UNITE INDY is connecting people every day to make a difference for those in our city who live in in perpetual want. It builds bridges of understanding between those who need help and those who can help.
• Connecting — UNITE INDY introduces urban pastors and ministry leaders to suburban pastors and business leaders. We also make available—At No Charge—a web-based system that connects churches, businesses, ministries, to charities enabling them to raise volunteers and publicize needed items.
• Raising Awareness — Through print, television, and radio UNITE INDY is sharing the needs of our community and celebrating victories.  
• Serving the Servants — UNITE INDY comes behind urban pastors and ministry leaders by addressing personal and professional needs for these men 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 our economy is roaring, and unemployment is at a historic low. But all this good news stops at the lines surrounding many of our inner city neighborhoods. In some neighborhoods of Marion County unemployment exceeds 20%. 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 2020.

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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