When people care and people act,

Connecting hearts, minds, and hands to meet needs in our community

Recidivism down 8% from 2017!

When people care and people act, the needle moves in the right direction. An all time low has been reached in recidivism due in part to the work of the Marion County Re-entry Coalition’s efforts to see that ex-offenders are successfully integrated back into the community following incarceration. MCRC's recent meeting was led by Lena Hackett, president and founder of Community Solutions, who facilitated discussions on how to engage more faith-based organizations and where we are on the Community Justice Campus, the Bail Project, and more. To learn more about MCRC, Click Here.

Indianapolis hits criminal homicide record again but Oakland CA. has an answer...

Yes, in gang-ridden Oakland, California, the number of murders dropped by 60 percent through a program called LIVE FREE. UNITE INDY was part of a small gun violence action group meeting with Rev. Michael McBride (left) last week, who was here to help us develop a LIVE FREE program in Indianapolis. Data shows that only half of one percent of the population is responsible for all shootings. But by focusing on those individuals and their families, with the help of neighborhood churches, local police, prosecutors, probation and health care workers, and others, dramatic changes can be accomplished. To join the Indianapolis Gun Violence work group, contact Anthony Beverly of Stop the Violence Indianapolis.

What will happen in the year ahead? A lot of people have just given up on New Year's resolutions. They know resolutions won't change the fact that they will deal with a million little things both good and bad during the year. But how we face problems in the months ahead, how we expect them to go has so much to do with how things turn out. Christ is quoted in Mark 11, “I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” There it is. We are to have an expectation—a belief that the things we pray for will be received by us through faith. So let's all adjust our expectations. This is the year to expect good things for our city, to have faith that God is on our side, and that through him, nothing is impossible. Read Nancy's Blog

Dove Recovery House for Women receives

more than 100 contacts from women every month, hoping to take that first step towards sobriety and recovery. Executive Director Wendy Noe, (left) says the women who come to Dove House are ready to shed their addictions, hoping to overcome trauma and be safe, to be known and loved, to reunite with family, or to go back to school or find employment, and always to live a healthier life. Dove Recovery House is Marion County’s largest substance abuse recovery center for women and is UNITE INDY'S Charity Partner of the Month. Although the weekly cost for a one week stay is around $222.00, care is provided free of charge. doverecoveryhouse.org

The ugly duckling is now a beautiful swan. With the great partnership of New Life Development Ministries, which trains and mentors those returning from prison, our new UNITE INDY office space is almost ready. Still to come is an awning which--with the approval of city permit folks--will grace the front of the building.

Inside, folks are working on trim, flooring and painting. Outside, we'll need some gravel and perhaps some fencing. (Donated?) But true to the plan God has laid on our hearts, a meeting place is being made ready for all those in the good fight to meet and work and make our city a safer, more caring place to call home. Join the 30+ thousand people who drive by 241 West 38th Street every day and see what we've done in the neighborhood!

Donate for free, Easy as 1.2.3. through Smile.Amazon.com

Here's how:

Either be ready with your Amazon account user name and password...or register to get one if you don't already have an account.
Then go to Smile.Amazon.com and follow the prompts to select a portion of your purchase dollars to go to Unite Indy, Inc. It won't cost you a dime, but you can really help us with even small amounts.
Always shop through Smile.Amazon.com and your donation will be automatically made. (It won't work if you start out at Amazon.com.) Thanks and happy shopping!

Here's why:

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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