Connecting hearts, minds, and hands to meet needs in our community
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS when we partner together!
UNITE INDY business partner, Merchandise Warehouse, that regularly hires and trains ex-offenders, connected to UNITE INDY's volunteer portal that also highlights the needs of local charities.
Through our portal, Merchandise Warehouse learned that Outreach, a ministry partner, had the need for coats and other warm clothing for the homeless young adults and teens they serve. And look what happened! Merchandise Warehouse employees collected: 99 coats, 14 pairs of boots, 29 blankets, 241 pairs of socks, 12 raincoats, 246 pairs of gloves, 40 scarves, 138 hats, 19 ponchos, 84 sweaters and sweatshirts and 2 pairs of snow pants. Not done yet, they also raised $1372 at their Christmas party to donate!
This is what happens when we connect. Get your church, ministry or business on the portal--it will look like part of your own website. Contact Jim to find out more!
2018 Youth Leadership and Prevention Summit teaches skills
and encourages the roughly 200 highly motivated high school students to take part in brainstorming ideas related to building relationships, goal setting, and other topics aimed at making our city a better and safer place to live, work and play. Nancy Cotterill from UNITE INDY was there to help lead table discussions as part of this day-long event at the Marriott East, along with featured speaker, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Brian Roach, who turned the tables on the kids this year and interviewed them. This was another great event by UNITE INDY partner, Stop the Violence Indianapolis.
Where are all the men?
Women, we are told don’t need men. Children, we are told, can do fine without fathers. Moms can do it all by themselves, and although many do, most will tell you that it's not easy and for some it is not without problems.
Movies and music sell us a  Thelma and Louise  narrative that might be entertaining but is far far from the truth. Perhaps there was a time decades ago when women needed the empowerment of this fairytale world where Amazon women needed nothing but a sperm donor. Perhaps there are women who really can do it all. But I’ve been around for a while, and I haven’t met many. Read Nancy's Blog
Ministry Partner of the month, New Life Development Ministries (NLDM) trains ex-offenders
Pastor Eugene Potter (left) is the engine that runs this amazing organization that not only brings pastoral care to its flock of ex-offenders, but also trains and equips them for work as they re-enter society. The ministry is now rehabbing 241 West 38th Street for UNITE INDY's headquarters and we've been sharing the progress monthly. But NLDM shows progress every day with every person they train. For example: the recidivism rate has been about 50% for Indiana inmates, but the rate for those who have gone through training with NLDM is close to 6%. Pastor Potter changes lives with a cumulative effect of changing whole communities in the process. Check out their website
Budding Relationships on the menu at our 3rd Serving the Servants!
Urban and suburban pastors from all over town were invited to break bread together at the Columbia Club last week to simply get to know each other. UNITE INDY is building bridges every day between communities which have never known or even met before. A connected community is a place where we help each other, where we know each other and fight for each other. It is a safer community. These pastors understand that and are eager to take part in building a new atmosphere in Indianapolis. An atmosphere where there is true friendship and where the love of Christ is not just something we talk about, but something we put into action.
Indy gun murders reach 152 for 2018
so far, but it appears that the spirit behind the Public-Private Partnership model that revitalized Indianapolis in the 70s and 80s has found its way to fighting violence in our streets. Faith leaders, law enforcement leaders, city officials, and others have joined together to find a solution to dramatically reduce the number of murders and non-fatal shootings in our community.
Earlier this week, UNITE INDY's Jim Cotterill was on hand as Assistant Chief of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Randall Taylor (pictured above) met with a group at Unleavened Bread Cafe to explain the Indianapolis Violence Reduction Partnership (IVRP), which involves cooperation between various arms of law enforcement to positively identify shooters. Shonna Majors, following her personal experience as a victim of a shooting, explained her initiative, Group Violence Intervention.
The end of the year looms, and you make a difference! 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.

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.

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 2019.

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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