The Indiana Children's Wish Fund grants wishes to Indiana children ages 3-18 who have been…read morediagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness. They were established in 1984, a year after my graduation from high school, and children are referred by parents, nurses, social workers, doctors, etc. To date, they've granted over 3,200 wishes with most wishes costing an average of $8-10,000. As someone who has, quite literally, grown up with a life-threatening illness that was considered terminal when I was born, I've long admired the work of Indiana Children's Wish Fund and even presented an award from my own charitable efforts to one of their active fundraisers. It was at that time that I became increasingly aware of their work and aware of local media personalities who are involved in supporting it. Fun facts - the most common request is a Disney World trip for the entire family. However, other wishes have included meeting former Presidents, the Pope, bringing a relative all the way from Ethiopia for a visit, and one young wish recipient even ended up being an extra in a Tom Cruise film. These Wish coordinators are really quite amazing and creative. When I was young and not expected to survive (I'm in my 50s now - I guess they were wrong), I sort of had a pre-wish (since the organization didn't exist) when it was arranged for me to meet my idol - Mario Andretti. It's an experience I've never forgotten and I still cheer for an Andretti in every race where there is one. I was in awe of this experience and I'm in awe of and strongly believe in this organization's mission to provide some light and love for children facing life-threatening illnesses and/or terminal illnesses. The Indiana Children's Wish Fund is a 501c3 non-profit organization and they're constantly fund-raising. While the pandemic has certainly impacted wishes, they do continue and children continue to be in need. Terminal illness doesn't really slow down for a pandemic. They are known as a fiscally responsible organization and, perhaps most importantly to me, also a truly sincere and compassionate one. They're undeniably one of Indiana's true non-profit gems. They are based in the Castleton area, however, they grant wishes statewide.

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.

It's on the back of the church building of FMHPC! It's a school for autistic kids! Great teachers…read morethat are so nice and enthusiastic overall a great school to send your autistic kid grades 4-12 and for those that need more time to get into college there is a step into college program. Nick Dahlman IA Student!

Independence Academy is an amazing diploma track school for students on the autism spectrum. As a…read moreparent and clinician, I cannot say enough about the individualized attention and robust curriculum offered by IA. The new building is beautiful, and easily accessible from 465.

Let's be honest…read more There are certain non-profits and certain businesses that are simply 5-star organizations. Anything else is unacceptable. It's so true that if you see someone bash the organization, you immediately think to yourself "This is not someone I want to know." It's true. You know it's true. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is such a non-profit. It's hard to describe everything Keep Indianapolis Beautiful does. Truthfully, I'm probably not even aware of everything Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (also known as KIB) does. I just know that when it comes to keeping Indianapolis a wonderful place to live, KIB seems to always be involved. I first became aware of KIB years ago when longtime friend David Forsell led the organization. If you haven't met David (and his wife Shannon), they are, in my estimation, one of "Indy's Couples." That's an official designation now, I made it up. Okay, back to KIB. KIB has programs in three areas: Clean Neighborhoods - Adopt-a-Block, Great Indy Clean-Up, Plogging, and Busy Roads/Waterways. Trees & Native Habitats - Project Greenspace, Habitat Restoration, and Community Forestry. Engaged Citizens - Urban Naturalists, Tree Tenders, Youth Tree Team, and KIB Ambassadors. It seems like whenever there's a community event, KIB is involved (I'm currently working alongside a KIB staff person jurying a film festival). It seems like if there's a community partnership to be had, somehow KIB is engaged with it. Their events are well-run, well-led, richly beneficial to our community, and remarkably empowering. Their office on Fletcher Avenue In 2009 became the first civic nonprofit in Indiana to have a building LEED Gold Certified by the US Green Building Council! KIB has wind turbines, a cistern to collect stormwater, rain gardens, a pervious pavement parking lot (which lets water filter through), and a sunny atrium filled with native plants. They also have a green roof and are dog friendly! In other words, KIB lives its values. As a non-profit, they have the highest possible ratings from both GuideStar and Charity Navigator. In short, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is one of those non-profits I consider to be "Indy's Non-Profits." These are organizations that truly make Indy a fantastic place to live (and it is). I love KIB and I love everything they do.

I joined KIB last year during the height of the pandemic, when I needed a healthy outlet to channel…read moreall of the anxiety I was feeling. I would go for walks daily to calm my brain, but I couldn't help but notice litter on the ground. It kind of messed with the calm vibe I was trying to accomplish -- every disposable mask and tissue and empty water bottle I would see on the ground would make me more and more irate. So instead of getting mad about it, I started to bring a trash bag and litter picker with me on my walks. Suddenly, my walks began to feel calming again. Picking up litter gave my walks a purpose. It gave me a feeling of control during a time when so many things felt out of my control (COVID cases spiking, the crumbling of society, etc.) Plus, I felt good knowing that I was helping, in a small way, to make other people feel calm during their walks, too, by removing the litter so they didn't have to see it. Not too long after I started picking up litter on my own, I found out about KIB. I learned that they have an Adopt-a-Block program, where you can "adopt" a portion of your neighborhood and maintain it (pick up litter, plant trees, etc.) I volunteered to be a Block Captain for a portion of the Monon Trail. KIB gave me some free supplies to help me start out (a nifty KIB trash bucket, lots of trash bags, gloves, a trash picker and a t-shirt). I've been an Adopt-a-Block Captain for almost a year now. Since then, I've walked lots of miles and picked up dozens (hundreds?) of buckets of litter. I've made friends with people I see regularly who use the trail where I pick up trash. I've had people come up to me and ask me about KIB (because they see me carrying my KIB trash bucket), and I'm always happy to sing this organization's praises and encourage others to adopt a block in their neighborhood, too. And KIB makes it super easy to do so. They are very inclusive and just want people to get involved in making their communities better places to live and play. I tend to enjoy picking up litter the most when I'm by myself, because it's become a meditative practice for me. But, I've also joined several litter-collecting projects that KIB has organized. These are always very well-thought-out, and they target areas of Indy that are under-cared-for and have a lot of litter lying around. During these events, it's nice to be around other people who love Indy and are as invested in it as much as you are. KIB has lots of projects happening all year, which is great because there is always something to do. I love this organization so much, and it's become a part of me and my lifestyle now. So much so, that one time, when my kids saw a KIB sign when we were out and about, they pointed to it and said, "Hey mom, that's you! That's the thing you do."

No response from them. Have items to donate but no response after four attempts. Will look for…read moreother similar organizations that I can donate formalwear to

I have had the pleasure of encountering The Gifted Gown in a multitude of occasions over the last…read morefew years including hosting a Yelp party that featured them as the benefiting organization, donating prom dresses personally and purchasing tickets to attend their new Sneaker Ball fundraiser. The women leading this clever organization are full of heart and driven for all the right reasons. So what is it they do? Gifted Gown collects prom dresses and attire for students who may not be able to afford attending prom otherwise. They make the process fun and as close to "regular" dress shopping as can be. The gently worn attire is rounded up into an adorable boutique that offers a variety of sizes and styles. If you want to get involved, you can 1.) donate your dresses (both prom and bridesmaid); 2.) attend their annual fundraiser with a group of friends and go nuts in the silent auction. 3.) tell your friends.

I first became familiar with Legacy House when I decided to do a Tenderness Tour event in memory of…read moreIndy's victims of violence and began exploring possible community partners for which I could raise funds. I had a friend who'd received counseling from Legacy House and began exploring their services and realized they were very much in line with my own philosophies. I contacted the Executive Director at the time, Michael Hurst, and we agreed that any funds I raised from that event would go to Legacy House. I was incredibly touched that Michael ended up coming out for my event on a very cold, snowy day and it began a friendship that continues to this day. While he has since left the organization, I continue to support and be appreciative of their work. Legacy House serves the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of adults and children affected by violence. They offer intervention, support, education, and understanding. Perhaps best of all, their services are provided at no charge. Shari Bradley has since become the Executive Director. They offer counseling and support services including individual/group therapies, support groups, sandplay, dog therapy, energy therapies, expressive arts, and a program called the BOOST program in the area of domestic violence. They have offices on the lower level of the North Arlington Community Health Center at 25th and Arlington. They receive much of their funding from the Health and Hospital Corporation, though they are a non-profit organization and also receive donations, grants, and hold special events each year. They observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week and staff can often be found at various events throughout the year during months offering education/awareness around violence. I participated multiple years in the Rocc-A-Thon on Monument Circle. Legacy House continues to be one of my favorite organizations in Indy, a real unsung hero that provides direct supports to survivors of violence and I continue to be in awe of the fact that they do so at no charge.

Harm not Help:…read more Retraumatizing, Irresponsible, Unethical. After my daughter's experience at this agency she said, "Mom, no one cares." Not only were we reintroduced to the trauma but fear of abandonment was re-enforced. We were so vulnerable, we trusted them with the most personal details and we were dismissed like we were nothing which made us feel unimportant. The first meeting with Kareema, she cancelled within the hour of our appointment. The secretary told me that Kareema was at lunch when we arrived. I discovered that she left a phone message when I was in the waiting room. I live on the southside, had just picked up my daughter from the northside, to go to the eastside for the appoinment. The secretary told me, "things happen." Then next, appointment, I told the secretary that I had to take a phone call from the police involving the trauma. They wouldn't see her until my phone call was over. The counselor thought that I had just walked-out. My daughter was excited to work with Kareema, they had a nice repoire. We made the next appointment in her office. Walking to my car in the parking lot, Kareema called and told me that she might need to reschedule, she didnt know and that I needed to call the next day to find out. All of this was very difficult, confusing, like I had to jump through hoops to get my daughter some help. I called and left a message with the secretary who had cancelled this appointment. I told her that my daughter is in crisis and needs to see Kareema ASAP. No one responded. Nothing was taken seriously, its just a game. The only time available was three weeks out. Just like my daughter said, "No one cares." I felt like I was in Wizard of Oz, or Alice in Wonderland. This place reinforced the trauma and sense of desperation. Very sad and devastating.

I was honored to represent the abused and neglected children as a CA for many years. I regularly…read moreworked on cases, and experienced first hand, the courts going out of their way to help children in the most complicated, and disturbing, situations. Child neglect/abuse is an epidemic in most states; including Indiana and the courts & state run services do as much as they can within the parameters of the budget they receive.

I volunteered with this organization for many years and can't speak highly enough of their mission…read more Volunteers visit with at risk children and "speak" on their behalf. After training, volunteers are assigned a child, typically in foster care. The volunteer meets with the child, wherever they may be and identifies any concerns, questions or requests the child may have. Many times the children are too young to speak for themselves, other times the children have been so neglected or abused, they need assistance and a friendly face, checking on their progress, while, hopefully the parent(s) gets their life together. The staff assign children to volunteers, interact with the courts and DCS and act as facilitators for any requests or questions raised by volunteers. Volunteers schedule visits on their time and have as much or as little interaction with the organization as needed. Children in foster homes need advocates and this organization is vital to their survival.

If you've ever read The Polk Street Review, then you've entered the world of the all-volunteer…read morenon-profit organization Community Education Arts, a 501c3 organization based in Noblesville. The Polk Street Review Project was really my introduction to the organization. It's an annual creative placemaking arts project that includes workshops, a podcast/short videos series, and the annual book. Each year, the book has a theme - for 2025, it's "Behind the Veil." Some will remember the organization as Logan Street Sanctuary, though the Logan Street property that formerly served as its home was sold to Noblesville Preservation Alliance in 2019. The mission of the organization is to promote greater awareness and encouragement for Creative Arts in Hamilton County and beyond. The organization provides projects, events, educational workshops, and other opportunities for creative spirits from Hamilton County and beyond. The organization's simple yet effective website contains a remarkable history of its events and is a powerful reminder of the impact that a small non-profit organization can have on promoting the arts in a community. There's much to love about Community Education Arts - from its volunteers to its community-based projects to the wonderful The Polk Street Review. If you're in the Noblesville area, especially, I'd no doubt take the time to check them out and get engaged with them.