I have been a Big Sister for three years now and love spending time with my little! The…read moreorganization does a great job of matching you and your little. The process to become a little takes some time but it is worth it and I appreciate that they are so thorough. The organization often has free tickets for events for us to enjoy or partnerships with museums and places throughout the city. The best part is impacting your little and seeing them grow up and become their own person- I plan on being a big until my little graduates and hopefully will still stay connected after her graduation! If you have the time and passion, this is a great place to volunteer!! My advice is to be yourself and be open to new experiences.

One of my favorite Indy non-profits! Rooted in their desire to ignite potential in the youth of…read morecentral Indiana, BBBS is a phenomenal organization that matches bigs and littles together to create a positive relationship for all involved. I've been a Big for four years now and absolutely love it. My little and I enjoy doing things together like riding bikes on the canal, playing at the YMCA, and going to game nights hosted by BBBSCI - all for free thanks to BBBS and their partnerships. If you're thinking of becoming a Big - reach out and ask me anything! I love everything about it and can't rave about it enough!

This organization of 200+ volunteer members operates Operation School Bell which provides a duffel…read morebag of clothes and shoes to Indianapolis Public School children and the surrounding township schools each year. In addition, they provide assault survivors with a new set of clothing to wear home after their trauma. A third program is Bears which provides grieving children with a stuffed teddy bear to provide comfort. The nicest and most dedicated members striving to make Indianapolis a better place to live!

This is a great group whose main activity is helping students in Indy Public schools. This is the…read moreIndy branch of a large national group. We are an all volunteer, no paid employees, very low overhead, group that provides school uniforms for Indy Public school children. But it's not just the clothing. The students come to a "store" we have set up and select the items they need for school and a couple that they want. We provide the standard uniform pieces but students also get a choice of a new winter coat, hat, mittens and books. Everything goes into a brand new duffel bag. And students have had an opportunity to "shop" for their things, having a fun time choosing for themselves. We also work with the schools to provide extra uniform pieces to the school social workers to keep in their offices for emergencies. Students are chosen by the school social worker based on need and come to the store on a "field trip". We also provide shoes for about half of the students who get uniforms. Additionally we provide assault survivor packs to area hospitals. New sweats, sweatshirt, socks and underwear for women/girls who must leave their personal items as evidence after an assault. The hospitals give these packs free to those in need. It's a And ALI bears which gives new stuffed bears to first responders to give to children whom they encounter. And we visit two senior living facilities to play bingo, celebrate birthdays and life and bring some joy to residents.

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is an Indianapolis-based non-profit organization…read morethat works statewide to prevent and eliminate domestic violence through multiple programs including primary prevention, advocacy, direct legal services, a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, participation on the State Homicide Reduction Plan, and involvement in the Move to End Violence. ICADV is not a domestic violence shelter, but instead serves as a statewide coordinator for shelters and other domestic violence programs. ICADV offers an annual conference, regular trainings, and is a member organization of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. I became involved with the organization about 15 years ago when I learned of a domestic abuse situation within my own extended family and needed a way to deal with it. Those who know me know that I'm an activist in violence prevention, so at that point I did one of my Tenderness Tour events to raise money for the organization as a way of coping with my own family situation. ICADV quickly embraced the event and it's now their annual 5k event known as the Race Away From Domestic Violence that occurs every year in early June. Most recently, it has started at downtown Indy's City Market. Over the years, I've never been less than impressed with ICADV as I've referred friends to them for a variety of supports from assistance with legal issues like restraining orders and help trying to find shelters in various locations. I've served on a couple of their committees over the years and, of course, remain involved with the 5k. As an adult with a disability with violence in my background, I'm pleased that ICADV has been one of the first non-profits in Indiana to actively address violence toward people with disabilities by spearheading the foundation of a statewide task force to address the issue - of which I do offer my support. As an organization, ICADV has something rather rare for a non-profit - stability. They've had the same executive director for many years and for the entire time I've worked with them they've been located on Indy's near-westside in a one-story office building that offers two accessible parking spots, an appropriate ramp, and an office that is pretty manageable in a wheelchair with 1 glass door to get into the building. To this day, they advertise their 5k as a wheelchair friendly event (and for the most part it truly is!). While non-profits can often be territorial, ICADV works well with other non-profits and actively seeks collaboration. The ICADV website offers a wide variety of resources. I'll be adding it to Yelp, as well, since it's not currently on the page. While ICADV isn't the loudest organization in Indy, it's an organization that is very involved in the community and it has quietly build a reputation as a valuable community partner. While they don't offer shelter services, for those looking for options and services they're a terrific place to gather information and explore options while talking to staff persons who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and committed.

This community center is a much needed resource and I'm thankful to have it available for everyone…read morein the city! I personally visited as part of a local business fair that supported up-and-coming business owners connect with financial, marketing and start-up needs. This center also has a partnership with IPS and helps students find additional educational help, as well as a safe, quiet place to study. They also help with housing questions, offer a fitness zone, host workshops, advocate for east-side development and more. They're truly wonderful! Currently during COVID19, you can't walk in the offices without a meeting, so I'd suggest calling beforehand to book an appointment.

I visited the John Boner Center on a weekend during COVID to get on-boarded to work for the US…read moreCensus, which means the normal goings-on inside weren't happening. But I was able to look at all the photos and posters on the walls to see all the good things that happen there during the weekday. The John Boner Center offers a variety of community services for Indianapolis residents who need it. Right now, during COVID-19, you cannot just have a walk-in appointment. Please make sure you call ahead and schedule an appointment first, and wear a mask!

IndyHub is one of the most valuable resources for active professionals in Indianapolis. It serves…read moreas an advocate for Indy's future leaders, and a diverse and engaged community is the strength of Indy's today and tomorrow. From civic involvement to neighborhoods to arts and culture, IndyHub's programming is designed to help residents become more engaged with what is happening in the city. The variety of events allow attendees to find their niche to become more informed citizens. The programs also provide immersive experiences to help us become active participants in shaping our city. Here is just a snapshot of what IndyHub has to offer: IndyVolved - Featuring over 100 civic and non-profit organizations who are seeking new involvement and advocates for their groups. Hello Neighbor - Bike or Walking tours in various parts of the city. A chance to visit different neighborhoods and interact with the locals. Think and Drink - An Indy-centric trivia night where you walk away learning something new about different aspects of the city. Passport to the Arts - Sampler program to visit different arts organizations. Chance to see a show or get a behind-the-scenes tour. Corporate Collective - A good way to connect with the local workforce and figure out how we can work together to move the city forward. Five to Seven - A new happy hour for a cause series and a great networking opportunity. I would feel a bit lost without the guidance of IndyHub! I recommend going to an event or making a donation to the IndyHub Foundation. Not only are you making an investment to their great work, but you are also making an investment in the people and the city. #GivingTuesday #PeopleMakeTheCity indyhub.org/donate

Man, I love IndyHub! They bring together all of the incredible nonprofits and organizations in our…read morecity to make everyone stronger, together. Their efforts are focused towards bringing 20 and 30-somethings into the fold of this city, with a goal to have everyone involved and connected to meaningful groups. One of my favorite events they throw every year is called IndyVolved. Hundreds of city-wide organizations come to Central Library and you can wander around and learn about different groups you may want to meet. I love encountering so many cool people and interesting groups at this event every year! IndyHub also has a 'neighorhood' series that I can't wait to check out. They'll choose a neighborhood and allow a group to go behind the scenes at cool bizs in that area. So rad!

The Indiana Writers Center is another one of Indiana's true non-profit gems. In existence for over…read more40 years, it's an organization that has long been a presence even as I've grown as a writer in Indiana. The Indiana Writers Center, as I recall, used to be located in the Broad Ripple area but is now a part of Circle City Industrial Complex. One of the things I love about Indiana Writers Center is that they're VERY proactive about accessibility and even have a strong, uncompromising accessibility statement on their website including assurances regarding accessibility to their offices, classrooms, and event spaces. Bravo. I've had two strong connections to Indiana Writers Center before - original director Jim Powell and Barbara Shoup, a former instructor of mine who continues to be on the Indiana Writers Center staff. I credit Shoup with being one of the first to identify that my writing is a coping skill. The Indiana Writers Center is a non-profit that focuses on building the writing community in Indiana. They believe everyone has a story to tell and it's their vision to help people tell it. From new writers to professionals (Shoup herself has several books to her name), Indiana Writers Center embraces everyone who is on the journey of being a writer. They recently launched a poetry prize with Christian Theological Seminary and sponsor a Jim Powell Writer-in-Residence program. They offer events, classes, and a variety of programs for beginners, intermediate, and more professional level writers. The Indiana Writers Center website is a great place to learn about the Indiana writers' scene including writing opportunities. I've done both creative writing and professional film journalism and I love the Indiana Writers Center. The Indiana Writers Center is a membership organization with an amazing staff and an amazing board of directors. Sadly, I've never been quite as involved with Indiana Writers Center as I've intended - their former offices weren't particularly accessible and it's exciting to see such a positive transformation in this area. If you're a writer or curious about writing, Indiana Writers Center is a fantastic place to start. You'll find talented, enthusiastic, and encouraging people to help you along your wife and to share their tips, ideas, expertise, and lessons learned.

whoever left a bad review is lying this foundation has been a blessing to me and my son. when his…read moremom was dying of cancer they assistance with clothes shoes and Christmas for my son, they help with resources for counseling, they been open and honest on what they can do. when my son mom was in hospice they offered to drive my son two hours away to see her before she goes. this foundation is wonderful and different everything this foundation provides is integrity .

I've been a volunteer with Starfish for over 2 years now, and it has been the most rewarding…read morevolunteer experience I've ever had. The program matches college graduates with high school students who are typically going to be first generation college students and whose families' income falls within a range similar to the requirements for the 21st century scholars program. I was matched with a wonderful scholar who needed a rematch in her sophomore year because her previous mentor had to withdraw from the program. We took art classes, visited colleges, explored some parks, museums and ate out at fun restaurants. We also worked on college applications and stressed waiting to hear back...and I'm thrilled to say my scholar just started this summer at IU!! I'm looking forward to exploring Bloomington with her on my upcoming visits! If you're looking for a volunteer experience that will give you the chance to build a relationship and help make a difference for a young person I highly recommend Starfish! Time commitment needs to be regular, at least twice a month face to face with texting and calls in between, but can be anytime and anywhere that works for you and your scholar. I'm signed up to be matched with a new freshman in addition to staying on as a mentor with my now post Starfish college student. I'm hoping some other Yelpers will join me!

Great organization. They have really made some strides and do some great work for high school…read morekids. Plus a beautiful uplifting well decorating facility.