Spotlight
Local Families Feeling the Economic Strain

On March 20, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) organized the fourth annual Indy Homeless Connect. Intended to serve anyone who is homeless, the event brought any kind of service imaginable under one roof for a day.

Not surprisingly given the economic conditions, families were the focus of the day. Families who had never been to the event previously arrived with children in tow, who were cared for at the volunteer child care room. In the course of the day, 49 children used the service.

Beyond the one day service of Indy Homeless Connect, a group of local funders have collaborated to help 43 organizations who serve local families on a longer term basis in an effort called CERF (Community Economic Relief Fund). While not all families who have been helped would be considered homeless, the statistics gathered from this emergency initiative are quite telling. Of the households seeking help from their neighborhood centers, 72 percent of them were new clients. What this really means: families who have never asked for help before are waiting until they are really desperate and then finally reaching out. However, by that time, they are really in dire straits and it takes more counseling and services to help them. The families are requesting help with housing, utilities, and child care most often.

Funding for CERF is expected to last through the third quarter of this year. For more information on CERF, click here. For more information on Indy Homeless Connect, click here.

A Life-Changing Visit
by Becky Blossom, Hamilton County Division of MIBOR 2009 Chair

The loss of a job. A few drinks too many. For some people, these are the beginnings of a downward spiral that is very difficult to climb out of. It could happen to any one of us.  Fortunately, Pathway to Recovery is one of the few places in Indianapolis that assists our homeless neighbors on their road to recovery. I had the opportunity to personally visit the Pathway facility and would like to encourage all of us as REALTORS® to support their endeavor wholeheartedly. The program is comprised of five phases, each one suited to a unique step of recovery. The staff is supportive, experienced, and goes above and beyond their responsibilities by generously giving of their time and effort. 

The REALTOR® Foundation is a proud supporter of Pathway to Recovery, and as the Hamilton County Division of MIBOR (HamCo) chairperson, I am very proud that we can also support Pathway through the Foundation. HamCo has chosen the Foundation as our official charity because of its work with service providers such as Pathway to Recovery. 

Upcoming Events

Foundation Awareness Week – June 8-12
Save the Date for the third annual Foundation Awareness Week! Look for ways to volunteer, party, donate and be recognized for your participation in the Foundation. In the last two years, this week has raised more than $26,000 for the Foundation’s efforts to solve homelessness. Be part of the action and check out the full details at www.REALTORFoundation.org/Awareness.

Grants Schedule Released – July  17, 2009
The 2010 grant applications will be due to the Foundation office on July 17, 2009. The application will be posted on our Web site by May 1. If you know of a worthy organization that meets the grant criteria, encourage them to apply. Questions? Call Molly Hahn at 317/956-5255 or email to mollyhahn@realtorfoundation.com

Blue Breakfast – A Benefit for Coburn Place
April 16, 2009
7 – 9 a.m.
Tickets available online at www.coburnplace.org.

Sheltering Wings Dazzling Designs Fashion Show
April 23, 2009
6 – 9 p.m.
Primo West
317/718-0735

Foundation Golf Outing
Save the Date for July 23, 2009! What’s better than a beautiful day on the course to benefit homelessness? It’s not too early to get your foursome together. Click here for all the details!

Partners
Hirons & Company Provides Behind the Scenes Service
In a generous agreement, Hirons & Company + Public Relations has agreed to provide in-kind services for the Foundation’s marketing and public relations needs. We are pleased to highlight a company that provides many behind-the-scenes services for both MIBOR and the Foundation. If you have seen articles about the Foundation in your local paper or have been impressed by recent marketing materials, Hirons is to thank for it.

Regarding their decision to donate work for the Foundation, Hirons President & CEO Tom Hirons said, "Our team is pleased to help communicate the mission of the REALTOR® Foundation. As we shine a light on some of those who benefit from the efforts of the Foundation, we hope to motivate people to lend support through their time, talent or treasure."