Indy homeless students up by 26%, Salvation Army offers help

Today’s Indy Star reports that IPS has seen a 26% increase in the homeless students. The article is pretty sobering – Indiana is tied for 27th in the nation for homeless enrollment – nearly 10,000 students.

Our state has certainly felt the brunt of the economic downturn. And the trend continues in 2010 as unemployment hovers in the 10 percent range. About 43 percent of homeless schoolchildren in IPS are in kindergarten through third grade! These kids have difficulties concentrating, not knowing where they’ll sleep or where dinner will come from. In fact, these students are suspended from school at a rate of about twice the state average!

But thanks to our supporters, The Salvation Army’s Women’s and Children’s Shelter* can offer these kids some stability. Kids who stay in our shelter can count on healthy meals, warm beds and even homework help from our partners at Indy School on Wheels. The shelter isn’t a permanent solution – our counselors work with moms to get help with life skills, school or job placement and all the other resources they will need to break the cycle of joblessness, domestic violence and homelessness.

You can help us continue to provide these services to our littlest neighbors in need through the Homelessness Bites campaign. Find out how to get and fill a Bite Back box, donate online, sign up for our mobile VIP list or mark your calendar now for Apple Fest this October. For 1,500 kids in Indianapolis, homelessness bites. Bite back!

*nearly 1,100 women & children have been cared for in our shelter in 2010. Of the 204 who came to us in June, 76 were kids.

Mrs. Lewis, Shoe Carnival help kids in need get ready for school

This morning, thanks to Mrs. Lewis and the team at the Lafayette Road Shoe Carnival, nearly 120 kids from The Salvation Army’s Summer Day Camp programs in Indy got the tools they’ll need to start school on the right foot.

According to Huntington Bank’s 2010 Backpack Index, the average cost for a family to send a child to elementary school (with all the school recommended supplies and necessary clothing) is about $475. With the first days of school quickly approaching, parents are no doubt feeling the pressure of providing new shoes, back packs and school supplies. But, thanks to the generosity of long time Salvation Army donor, Mrs. Laura Lewis, 120 children are set to go.

TKO’s Randy Clark reflects on serving at shelter

“We’re very fortunate, aren’t we?”

Ever feel that way? Well, after spending just a few hours at our Women’s and Children’s Shelter, Randy Clark does. You see, Randy came down to the Shelter on Sunday to help serve tacos with the guys from West Coast Tacos. Randy’s company, TKO Graphix, helped the WCT guys get started here in Indy by doing the art for their taco truck. When they heard about their plans to serve at the shelter, TKO took up a collection to help WCT cover their costs associated with serving.

Randy and Nancy (and their spouses) came down to present the guys with that cash (about $300) and to give to others. They ended up receiving much more – turns out that happens quite often when you serve. I could tell you all about his experience, but it’s better to read it in his own words on his blog.

So, what motivates you to give? Why do you give to The Salvation Army? To learn more about how to ‘Bite Back’, visit HomelessnessBites.org or give Kristen a call at 224-1019.

West Coast Tacos Guys ‘Bite Back’

Our Homelessness Bites campaign is all about encouraging you to find unique ways to give of who you are and what you do to make a difference in the lives of moms and kids who have found themselves homeless because of the economy or domestic violence. Well, Indy, you’re listening.

Read more

Love working with kids?

We’re looking for caring adults to spend Monday evenings with the kids at our Women’s and Children’s Shelter as part of  “Monday Funday” activity nights. Volunteers will help the kids participate in structured games and activities designed to help them learn to work as a team, understand educational concepts, and most of all – have fun! If you’re interested in helping to shape these young minds on Monday evenings (6pm-9pm), all you have to do is give Julia a call at 224-1067. She’ll get you all set up.

You can find more volunteer opportunities at SAVolunteer.org or by giving Elizabeth (our volunteer coordinator) a call at 224-1010.