Connecting hearts, minds, and hands to meet needs in our community
Payday loans are capped by state legislature at an unbelievable 391% APR
With more payday loan operations in Indianapolis than there are McDonald's restaurants, these companies are making $60 million off the backs of the most vulnerable people in our community. A $300 loan, for example would cost the borrower $740 to pay off. Even with a sub-prime charge card, the total would be closer to $320.This is legally sanctioned usury--nothing else. Other states cap at 36%, yet we can't get a simple majority vote in the Indiana Senate to accomplish that.
UNITE INDY was well represented at a meeting that may attack this problem from two directions. 1. Get a legislative APR cap that makes sense 2. Put together a lending source that could compete with payday outlets at a fair interest rate. Thanks to Erin Macey of Indiana Institute for Working Families for all the stats. Shocked? Look at this!
Sitting Where Rosa Parks Once Made a Stand On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks took a seat in the fourth row on the left-hand side next to the window of a Montgomery, Alabama bus. She did not relinquish it when the driver told her to move to the back , initiating the first major direct-action of the post-war civil rights movement. 
That very bus is now housed at the Henry Ford Museum and Jim got a chance to sit in her seat and to revel for a moment in the history she made there.
Although she was active in the race movement, She acted as a private citizen "tired of giving in". And though widely honored in later years, she also suffered for her act. She was fired from her job as a seamstress in a local department store, and received death threats for years afterwards.
God bless the brave. Our great country was built upon their shoulders.
NeighborLink is Partner of the Month
NeighborLink Indianapolis is a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs and related services to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities within Marion County.
They have one mission:To allow seniors in need to stay in their own homes safely and with dignity. NeighborLink is primarily volunteer run—from the volunteer board of directors down to those swinging hammers and holding up gutters. If you have time to give to their mission, they want to hear from you! If your skills, interest, and available times are more suited to administrative or office-type of jobs—they can use that too. Volunteers call prospective clients and help arrange times to view their projects, while others help organize the logistics of a job site helping a volunteer group have all the tools and training necessary.   Check them out!
There was an important job to be done ...
and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. 
The story continues, but you get the gist. In Acts 10:38 it says that Jesus went about doing good. Pretty simple. He went about doing good. So I don’t think it’s too big a leap to say that those of us who believe we are supposed to model ourselves after Christ, should try to do some good as we go about our day as well—no matter what our day consists of. Check out Nancy’s blog post!
Nexus: A Place to grow and prosper others
UNITE INDY folks are all about making connections, because we know that we can do so much more together than we can working in our silos alone. Last week Jim connected with Robin Lee of Nexus Impact Connected that offers co-working space and small and large suites for new and growing entrepreneurs and nonprofits which are either working directly to impact our area for good, or whose profits are partly earmarked for charitable works. The idea is that impact organizations can benefit from an 'ecosystem' that includes coaching, space, and creative, legal, and financial resources. Doing good, made a little easier! Check them out here!
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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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