Spotlight
Fostering Independence

Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center, located on the city’s southwest side, has been a Foundation grant recipient for two years and has a unique initiative to help young adults. The following excerpt is from a resident of their program “Fostering Independence.”

Ten months ago I aged out of the foster care system and suddenly became homeless. I had nowhere to go and nobody to rely on. Responsibility hit me dead in the face…My eyes were opened when I realized I didn’t have anybody to take care of me anymore. I had to grow up and do things for myself.

…After I set up a meeting with the [Mary Rigg] Program Coordinator and we talked, I knew that this was the program for me…Mary Rigg has helped me to be more successful. They pushed me to do more than I believed I could do. The Fostering Independence Program has taught me many new skills that I would have not have learned had I not been accepted into the program…I’ve learned how to cook and obtained several budgeting skills, I started going to Job Club and they assigned me to a Job Coach who helped me build a resume.

…I’ve never really had a place I could truly call home until now. …I am no longer a victim of my past, I am a survivor.

3 Mass Condos Wows the Crowd

3 Mass Condos and its parent company Halakar Real Estate graciously partnered with the Foundation in this year’s Foundation Awareness Week signature event, the Taste of Indy, on June 11.

The location couldn’t have been better as the experience allowed guests to view a modern design with state-of-the-art furnishings and spacious, contemporary floor plans. Terraces in each condo overlook the dynamic cultural district of Massachusetts Avenue.

While guests enjoyed fine foods from Agio, Shula’s, Scotty’s Brewhouse and JS Reutz Café as well as beverages provided by Monarch Beverage and Bu Da Lounge, 3 Mass and Halakar principal Todd Maurer announced a 1:1 match for all funds raised up to $5,000. Regarding that decision, he noted, ‘Halakar believes in giving back to the central Indiana community. We are proud to host a fundraiser for the REALTOR® Foundation while showcasing the 3 Mass Condominiums. We believe, as the Foundation does, that everyone deserves a home.’

In all, more than $7,500 was raised for homelessness throughout Foundation Awareness Week. Thank you to everyone who participated in the week’s activities! See photos of all the week's activities in the gallery to the left.

Upcoming Events

Grants Applications Due July 17, 2009. The 2010 Grant Applications will be due to the Foundation office on July 17, 2009. The application can be found on the REALTOR® Foundation Web site. 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 mollyhahn@realtorfoundation.com.

Foundation Golf Outing. Join us July 23, 2009! Click here to register your foursome. Not a golfer? Click here to register for Carrabba’s dinner and dunk tank festivities. Or just click here for all the details!

Partners
A Home Based Partnership
By Alan McCormick, Hansen & Horn

Hansen & Horn has been building quality homes in and around Indianapolis since 1977. Our focus includes homes with character, quality and livability. We strive to use local trades and products whenever possible in an effort to support the local work force and economy. We also endeavor to impact the city and suburbs of Indianapolis in ways that go beyond the homes we build by constantly looking for opportunities to improve the quality of lives of those who live in and around our communities.

In 2008, Hansen & Horn made the decision to partner with the REALTOR® Foundation. The Foundation’s mission, to provide permanent housing solutions to “positively change lives,” echoes our own. Supporting their labors, on behalf of the homeless and inadequately sheltered, enables us to reach and impact individuals in our community that we could not otherwise reach. Through their efforts and our own, we are working to make Indianapolis and its surrounding communities a more beautiful place to call home.

With every new Hansen & Horn home sold with the aid of one of our REALTOR® Partners, we donate a portion of that sale to the REALTOR® Foundation in the name of our REALTOR® Partner. Last year, we were able to contribute $5,000 toward this goal, and we look forward to continuing these efforts in 2009 and the years to come. For more information about Hansen & Horn and the homes we build, please visit HansenandHorn.com or contact us at
(800) NEWHOUSE.