Connecting hearts, minds, and hands to meet needs in our community
IMPD Diversity Think Tank Forges Ahead
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is the first in the nation to form a group of community leaders to help them build a police force that more closely resembles the people it serves. It is also the first in the country to appoint a director of diversity and inclusion. At the last meeting Deputy Mayor of Neighborhoods David Hampton (standing) chats with officers and members of the committee. As part of this advisory group we work to help IMPD attract more capable women and minorities who can pass both mental and physical tests to make our police force both strong and competent. To learn more about IMPD’s efforts regarding diversity and inclusion,  Click Here .
Continuing to Fight the Payday Loan Battle: There are two ways to help those who need the services of the payday loan vultures who are bankrupting the most vulnerable among us. One is to find an alternative lending source for those who need small loans to meet pressing needs. The second is to get our legislature to cap payday loan annual percentage rates (APRs) at 36 percent as has been done in other states. State Senator John Ruckleshaus supported Senate Bill 104 which would have set a 36 APR cap on these loans that now are capped at an astronomical 391 APR. Unfortunately the bill failed 22 to 27. So UNITE INDY'S Nancy Cotterill and Jim Cotterill met with the Senator to find out why we are having so much trouble getting the yea votes we need. We learned a lot. Thanks to John for his help and advice and for being on the right side of this debate! See how our Senators voted!
Toby Miller Leads Celebration of GIPC's Race & Cultural Relations Leadership Network
For 25 years the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee's Race & Cultural Relations Leadership Network has provided a place for civil discourse on issues that have the potential of dividing our community. UNITE INDY is privileged to be a member of RCRLN and we have witnessed the power of this group to give a microphone to all concerned parties in times of discord, so we all can get real answers which promote real action in difficult situations. Seated to Toby Miller's right are past co-chairs (L to R) Tim Nation, Patricia Castaneda, James Garrett, Sally Franklin Zweig, Gloria King and Jan Clark. Congratulations and thank you all for your service.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes is UNITE INDY 's Partner of the Month
Billy Graham said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.” Since 1954, FCA has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful platform of sport to reach every coach and every athlete with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. FCA focuses on serving local communities around the globe by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world. Click here for more!
Darren Boyd at Diversity Lawncare Helped Make UNITE INDY Beautiful
Jim started searching for someone to help us finish the landscaping at our new offices and with great luck he found Darren Boyd who worked pretty furiously for almost seven hours on a hot day to plant 17 bushes. He was pickier than even Jim would be (which is really hard to do) as he planted and edged and carefully mixed root promoter into the soil. The Bible says we are to work as if to God and this is a man who does just that. We thank Diversity Lawncare and Darren for meeting our need. Contact them!
Introducing Wesley Stevens!
Our new new outreach liaison, Wesley Stevens recently graduated from IUPUI with a B.A. in English. While in college he edited Genesis Literature and Art Magazine and also worked tirelessly as a champion of equal rights for all.
After graduation, Wesley signed up to serve one year through AmeriCorps. We’re delighted that his year of service will be at UNITE INDY where he will work with small churches, ministries, and other charities that don’t have the staff to upload their needs into our Meet the Need system. Check out UniteIndy.org soon to help out these smaller and very deserving organizations! Spoiler Alert: You are going to like this young man as much as we do.
NANCY'S BLOG: Crazy Parenting in a Crazy World
I hope you caught the story of the young man from India who drove a $73,000 BMW into a river because he was upset that his parents had not given him the $103,000 car he wanted.
I think it's a safe bet this kid has never heard the word “no” in his life. Yet, as much as we’d like to think spoiling kids is the reserve of the wealthy, we have to remember children whose grandmother’s social security is the only household income, who ask for and receive gym shoes that cost $200. People of every income level are taking part in this “spare the rod and spoil the child” method of parenting, and while the stories can be entertaining they are also sad. Lots more in the blog post!
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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 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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