A Seat At The Table helps minority teens and women in central Indianapolis overcome barriers that limit access to leadership roles within corporations, government entities, entrepreneurship, and the community. Through programs, they create safe spaces to access all things advocacy, mentorship, networking, and mental health. They also provide support in the space of mental health, discussing important topics and providing tools to help women of color address and overcome issues around microaggressions, trauma, and systemic racism.
Silver Linings funds were used for programming-related venue rental and supplies.
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Educate ME Foundation is a social enterprise determined to increase the number of men and women of color in the field of education. They seek to change the education system by creating a continuum for men and women of color to grow, achieve, and succeed from high school to career. By recruiting students of color in high school and college, as well as career changers who are interested in pursuing a career in education, they create a cohort of students who learn, motivate, and achieve together on the path to teacher certification and beyond. Educate ME provides support and professional development services through training, workshops, and professional mentorship to these current and aspiring educators.
Silver Linings funds were used to purchase commonly requested classroom materials for educators in Indianapolis Public Schools, local charter schools, and center township educators.
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One bike, One youth, One relationship at a time… Freewheelin’ Community Bikes is transforming Indianapolis into a city where bikes provide access to better lives by connecting youth with skills for life over a shared passion for the bicycle. They provide accessible bicycles and teach life and leadership skills that improve the physical and mental well-being of participants.
Silver Linings funds supported ongoing programs, including Green Apron/Earn-a-Bike, Advanced Bicycle Mechanics Class, Youth Education and Employment Training (YEET), Bike Lab, BRAKES (Building Relationships, Accomplishments, Knowledge, Experiences for Success, Summer Enrichment Day Camp, and Mobile Education Lab.
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Culture Thru Expressions is an agency made up of creatives and art enthusiasts dedicated to culture, education, and community development. They share concepts of cultural competency, art, and business ethics with socially disadvantaged k-12 students to foster longevity in the Arts. They support other non-profit organizations and encourage neighborhood beautification to open doors to community development and assure a brighter tomorrow. They use art as a conflict resolution tool in the educational journey of students diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, and ODD; provide tutoring; work with teachers interested in exploring self-expressive art as an educational tool; and host Saturday afternoon film festivals for dedicated parents and hard working children for fun. In addition to their academic programs, they also have several ongoing public art projects, including an abandoned homes project, murals, and more.
Silver Linings funds supported Culture Thru Expressions’ ongoing public art projects.
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Ladies Under Construction provides leadership development programs, etiquette training, and character development support to organizations serving school age girls. They establish working relationships with organizations and groups who offer supportive services and programs to provide mentoring and outreach services in a safe, consistent, and beneficial manner. Their services include group and individual mentoring, literacy enhancement, and participation in volunteer projects. In addition, volunteers provide guidance to enhance social skills, provide strategies for managing emotions, as well as improving communication skills and building confidence.
Silver Linings funds supported the multiple programs offered by Ladies Under Construction, including for credit programs during the school day at six schools who serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged youth and children of color; a summer camp for 10-16 year old girls in partnership with Aspire Indy; and programs with Colonial Square Apartments, a complex that offers subsidized and low-income housing options.
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Pretty Passionate Hands (PPH) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing support, mentorship, and guidance to the families of teen mothers and fathers. PPH provides financial awareness through educational workshops, village support, and mentorship for youth and families. They provide tools and resources to remove barriers that prevent young parents from attaining their personal life goals. They believe in a community where families are fully supported in building a great environment, one child at a time.
Silver Linings funds were used to purchase items that expecting teen parents need, and to support ongoing programs including having medical professionals give lessons on breastfeeding, child care, childbirth, and emergency skills.
Tap here to learn more about Pretty Passionate Hands Child Care, Inc
The Saint Florian Center is a youth development organization named after the patron saint of firefighters. Founded in 1992 by two Indianapolis firefighters, they have assisted over 30,000 youth with many programs.
Silver Linings funds supported Saint Florian Center’s year-round in-person programs that teach leadership, cultural heritage, and self-knowledge. Skills to succeed in family, school, and society despite racial barriers were taught. Components of the program include: homework and educational assistance; leadership and lifestyle principles to instill confidence and reduce disciplinary problems by teaching goal setting, communications, facing adversity, and building character; project based STEM activities to help develop critical thinking, problem solving, planning, self-discipline, and personal expression skills; college preparation to motivate youth to rise from low-income and dependent on social services to a life of self-sufficiency; and fire fitness that teaches lessons on fitness, exercise, lifelong physical activity, healthy eating, and other healthy habits.
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Single Parent Connection’s mission is to strengthen the social environment, economic resilience, leadership capabilities, and overall quality-of-life for single parent families. They encourage and empower single parents by providing resources, a relatable and supportive community, and learning opportunities to help single parent families move from surviving to thriving.
Silver Linings funds supported the yearly Boys to Men summer workshop, an 8-week series that helps young men between 12-18 achieve personal development and success as they transition from boyhood to manhood. They also utilized funding for a pilot program called the Level Up Financial Wellness Program, in which they taught single parents steps that will help them achieve financial stability and become stronger solo leaders of their household.
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Mozel Sanders Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been feeding the hungry for over 50 years. They strive to give hope by providing for the underserved and un-served throughout Indianapolis by feeding the hungry, empowering youth and adults, and providing a facility that provides for the community’s welfare. In collaboration with grass root organization Single Mothers Rock Inc, they have developed a community garden in Haughville that provides a therapy program to single mothers who have been impacted by violent crime.
Silver Linings funds supported marketing and advertising for the in-person Local Food Purchase Assistance Track 2 and Sustainable Garden programs to increase community engagement. Working with the Indianapolis Food Coalition – and additional funds from the State through the Indy Food Fund – allowed the Foundation to support BIPOC Farmers and all 9 counties of Central Indiana with food donations for the next 3 years.
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Welcome Baskets, Inc. reaches out to new migrants, builds relationships, fills gaps in services, and connects people to resources and each other. They envision all migrants to Indianapolis feeling welcome, with the shocks of their transition cushioned by friendship and community. They provide baskets of household goods to recently arrived refugees, building relationships to help people through the shock of relocating. Resettlement agencies get people started, but are limited. Welcome Baskets helps fill in gaps and build communities of mutual support. Welcome baskets are delivered directly to the migrant’s door to begin the process of building a relationship. They also host open events at apartment complexes with large refugee populations, partnering with service providers to offer health, educational, and job training information and resources.
Silver Linings funds were used to purchase supplies for 30 Welcome Baskets, filled with necessary household items, including cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products.
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Wise Knowledge Inc. is an Indianapolis-based non-profit that empowers low-income youth and parents by providing consultation, expertise, and resources that speak to their needs. WKI provides educational solutions for students and their families through community education, small community projects, and collaborative initiatives. They respond to social issues that affect low-income communities, including offering parent-strengthening sessions, neighborhood pride initiatives, social services, information support, and community-led task forces. They collaborate with other organizations to focus on academic support programs, social work initiatives, parent communities, mentoring, tutoring, home-visit initiatives, on-the-job experiential learning, and more.
Silver Linings funds supported WKI’s educational services, including tutoring and mentoring; an afterschool program to address bullying and violence; and small summer community building programs where students and parents worked in their own communities to make them beautiful and safe to live in.
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Youth Empowered Inc. is cultivating young minds through unconventional educational opportunities.
Their mission is to work with disserviced youth in grades 6-12 to develop a dynamic generation of future leaders through various youth centered, faith-based, educational, and other social development activities.
Silver Linings funds supported unconventional educational opportunities at a living history museum that has over 80 acres of land, a sailing club in central Indiana, and out-of-state programs.
Tap here to learn more about Youth Empowered Inc
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