When we get out of the silos in which we operate, and begin to work with all the interested parties: government, ministries, and businesses, we can move mountains!

UNITE INDY is working with Indiana Department of Correction's Hoosier Initiative for Re-Entry (HIRE), Parole District 1, and Parole District 3 to introduce unemployed parolees directly to employers willing to offer a second chance. Pictured from left to right from UNITE INDY are Scott Whiting, Jim Cotterill, Doug Evans, and Sherry Jackson. From IDOC are Molly Bennett (HIRE), Drew Adams (Parole District 3) Carrie Heck (HIRE), and Michael Martin Drain (HIRE).

The Second Chance Indy Job Fair will take place on December 10, and will bring together the employers who list jobs open to those with a criminal record on SecondChanceIndy.com.

The site, developed by UNITE INDY, provides reentrants with the information they need to find jobs in their local areas, with criteria, pay rate information and more. Job fair attendees will be able to meet with second chance employers who have previously hired those from the criminal justice system, and they will have the opportunity to hear directly from current employees who were also previously incarcerated. They'll get help with posting their resumes and certificates of accomplishment on SecondChanceIndy.com, and they will have a chance to apply to be considered for current positions available to them now.

On both the Federal and State level, PayDay loans still have no reasonable interest rate cap. They lend a few hundred dollars, and if clients can't paying full in two weeks, they have to take out another loan and pay more fees. In fact, within a few weeks 40% of borrowers have to take out a second loan to pay off the first. The actual interest rate can easily can reach 280%. Hoosiers for Responsible Lending, of which UNITE INDY is a part, met via Zoom last week. We are fighting for a reasonable cap of 36% in our State legislature on these loans—an extension of the 36% cap is mandated for lending to veterans. Americans for Financial Reform is working in the U.S. Senate where SB184 would also extend the Military Lending Act's 36% rate cap to others. Both locally and Federally, these bills have bi-partisan support. PayDay loan companies won't even allow a charitable organization to pay off a person's debt, which would take the client off the merry-go-round of added fees and spiraling debt. They say they can't take a third party check.

When danger is approaching, when your car is hit by a drunk driver, or a stranger is banging down your door, who you gonna call? Not Ghostbusters. The police in our city protect and serve, work with youth groups, ministries and strive to keep us all safe. So this Thanksgiving, let's fill the mailboxes at our local IMPD district offices with hand-written letters that express our gratitude for the dangerous, selfless, and caring work they perform in pursuit of a safe and truly law-abiding community. They deserve both our respect and our thanks. Click Here for the names of your district's crime watch specialist and commander, their office address, and a map that shows the beats within your district.

Members of Unity Indy City held a rally this month asking "trigger pullers" and others intent on violence in Indianapolis to put down their guns and to come and help their neighbors in a 72-hour cease-fire and neighborhood cleanup.

Local churches and other ministries supported their efforts. Pictured at the event is UNITE INDY's Nancy Cotterill, with our friend, Anthony Beverly, of Stop The Violence, Indianapolis. Prayers and chants, music and food brought everyone together in the hope that the weekend might be peaceful. However, only 42 hours later another act of violence ended a life in the neighborhood. Good people are there, but need our help. Congratulations to Unity Indy City for your good work!

UNITE INDY's Jim Cotterill (left) and Scott Whiting (right) met with Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears (center) last week to discuss how, by working together, our two organizations could benefit reentrants and our community as a whole. We are hoping to find meaningful ways to collaborate in effort to reduce recidivism by eliminating barriers to employment for reentrants and empowering them as individuals—and we have some ideas!! More to come.

“Ask and it will be given unto you.” That's what we believe. But what happens when we don't receive? Actually, the promise is true, but there is another key step to receiving what we want. The thing is, God will always do His part, but He will never do our part. John 14:23 is one of MANY scriptures that clearly says God is in us. Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind and keep it set.” So, No. 1, We have the power of God inside of us. (Pretty amazing.) And, No. 2, We are to think about good things and set our minds on our goals. (Stay positive.) Literally, we cannot allow negative thoughts and fear to shortcut our good plans. Read More of Nancy's blog post for the "key step"!

UNITE INDY fights the root cause of poverty, which impacts many of the other major problems we face in our city.

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. 

A big Thank YOU to our Corporate Partners for their unwavering support which makes it possible for us to provide our services at no charge to job applicants and employers!

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