When Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a “stay-at-home order'' on March 23, 2020, it became painfully clear that not all Hoosiers would have an equal ability to safely navigate the global pandemic of COVID-19, including people experiencing homelessness.

“It’s hard to be safe when you don’t have a home,” said Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, executive director of the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention (CHIP), the organization leading The Indianapolis Community Plan to End Homelessness 2018-2023. "The way people were able to stay safe during the pandemic was to stay in their homes and engage in all the hygiene practices. That’s really scary if you don’t have that home in the midst of a public health crisis. It really elevated the notion of housing really is healthcare. We have to continue investing in and supporting permanent housing choices for people.”

Since the outbreak of COVID, community leaders and government officials have combined efforts to meet the needs of the city’s homeless as their numbers have swelled — to 1,928 on any given night based on a January 2021 point-in-time count. That’s up from 1,588 in January 2020. While some of those differences may be traced to a different counting method — over a five-day period instead of a one-night period, numerous factors have led to an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness, Haring Cozzi said.

Also, with social distancing rules in place, congregant housing, like Wheeler Mission’s shelters, were required to reduce the numbers of guests to abide by guidelines for social distancing during the pandemic.

Another major complication in meeting the needs of those facing homelessness is inadequate staffing, according to Perry Hines, chief development officer for Wheeler Mission. Employee shortages have made it increasingly difficult to support initiatives to expand services at a time when they’re most needed. During a normal year, Hines said, the organization would serve 700-800 people with beds and/or meals at its facilities. In 2020, that number climbed to 1,200-1,300 per day because of the increased need, he said. 

As much as I hate to admit it, I have often been accused of being a micro-manager, something all consultants preach is a big no-no. But as with anything, there certainly is a time and place for this style.

Delegation is revered as a managerial approach to empowering employees, improving efficiency in day-to-day operations, and is considered a “best practice.” The Rules of Delegation dictate that this approach only works if the “delegatee” has the knowledge, skills and experience to get the job done. And we do want to assume our employees have those requisites or they wouldn’t be there (right?). But an employee’s view of the outcome — what the end result should look like, both in style and substance — may be very different than that of the delegator. It’s not a question of skills; it’s a question of definition. And if a common definition of what a completed project looks like is not created, it will be hard to fix on the back end.

What are your expectations for the work — as to both what and how? If you have a checklist in mind of how the work will be completed, it’s imperative you share that checklist. Otherwise, both parties could be in for a huge disappointment. Providing this picture of expectations is often called out as micro-managing but that is not always the case. Company culture can have a key aspect.

It may be OK in your organization that as long as the project gets done, we’re happy. But it may be that your culture dictates that projects are completed ahead of the final due date so that there is ample time to review, make edits, and ensure that all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed prior to final completion.

In this Covid culture when a significant amount of time is spent off-site and not in the same room, e.g. Zoom, group emails, multiple texts, etc., at the end of the discussion have you specifically agreed who is going to do what and by when?

Lilly Endowment, Inc., has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Village of Merici in support of the Build the Village Campaign, which is devoted to providing independent living options for adults with disabilities.

Indy Reads has been awarded an $80,000 Family Opportunity Fund 2Gen Capacity Building Grant from the United Way of Central Indiana. The grant was made possible through the IU Health Foundation. Funds will be used to support the refining of the organization’s 2Gen education program.

CareSource has invested $2.5 million toward a new partnership with Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership^® to improve housing access for people who are traditionally left out of homeownership and to support the state in its efforts to bring about equity for all Hoosiers.

Social care network Aunt Bertha has changed its name to findhelp! Community organizations in Central Indiana can use findhelp.org to access free tools designed to connect neighbors to social services with dignity and ease. Read more

Funders of the Mobilizing America for Refugees Fund will provide general operating grants to community-based organizations that is likely to receive Afghan refugees successfully resettle by donating goods, services, and volunteer time. Application due Nov. 15

Donations accepted: Horizon House’s Share the Warmth donation drive is on Nov. 13 from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. in a dedicated drive-through lane on Monument Circle. The nonprofit’s most needed items are men’s coats, men’s and women’s gloves, and blankets.

Corporate philanthropy panel virtual discussion on Nov. 12 at noon. Local corporate leaders will lead a discussion on trends in corporate giving, volunteering, and community investment and how nonprofits and corporations can work together to create greater impact in Central Indiana. Hosted by National Bank of Indianapolis and Hedges. Cost: Free. Register

Nonprofit connections – Together Again on Nov. 16 from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Indiana Landmarks Center (1201 Central Avenue.) Advisors will provide post-pandemic insights on key topics, including cyberthreat realities, legal factors affecting nonprofits, and audit and tax updates. Presented by BKD. Cost: Free. Register

Indiana Mobility Summit webinar on Nov. 16-17. Gain strategies for enhancing mobility and transportation networks and network with advocates. Presented by Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. Cost: $35. Register

Activating board committees webinar on Nov. 18 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Boards that lead with purpose empower high-performing committees. Participants will learn how to maximize productivity through board committees, including through leading practices for effective committee functionality and leadership. Offered by Hedges, with presenting sponsors Faegre Drinker and Katz, Sapper and Miller and supporting sponsor FirstPerson Advisors. Cost: $60. Register

Equity and criminal justice online event on Nov. 18 from 9-11 a.m. Attendees will explore the Cradle to Prison Pipeline framework of criminal justice in Marion County. A comparison to similar cities in the United States will yield a comparative perspective about criminal justice inequity on the state and local levels. The Polis Center at IUPUI and SAVI. Cost: Free. Register

The Indianapolis Zoo needs volunteers to ring in the holidays during its annual Christmas at the Zoo event from Nov. 20-Dec. 30. Read

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