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!

Oh, Growing Places - you've been rocking the farm to table, urban gardening, food accessibility…read morescene before it was "cool". Not only are you a beautiful and educational addition to the White River State Park scene but you also make it possible for all to have access to produce through affordable pricing, SNAP programs and selling to local restaurants. Most are probably familiar with Growing Places Indy thanks to Indy Winter Farmer's Market which they founded and have operated for more than seven years throughout downtown locations (currently: Circle City Industrial Complex / kicking off in November). If you're looking for more ways to get involved with Growing Places Indy, they often have volunteer opportunities and you can visit their June-September farm stands at the Boner Center on Thursdays (4-6:30 PM - also donation-based yoga during this time) and at the IndyGo Transit Center on Fridays from 3-6 pm. I personally can't wait for some yoga and veggies next Thursday. Thanks for all you do, GPI!

A nonprofit adding beauty and functionality to our entire city. They have three farm sites: Boner…read moreCenter, Slow Food Farm in White River State Park, and the Slow Food Garden at Cottage Home. They also have farm stands open to the entire community from June to September. The farm stands offer fresh produce for a low cost, and they even accept food stamps. Growing Places Indy also runs the Indy Winter Farmers Market in Circle City Industrial Complex (an incredible market if you haven't been before!). They also teach yoga classes and offer tons of volunteer opportunities for individuals or big groups to come and help in the farms. One of my favorite parts? They communicate with local restaurants to provide local produce. Duos, King Dough, and many more around Indy use some produce from these sites in their cooking. Very cool!

Like a newborn toddler learning to walk and then talk, it's been fun to watch Big Car grow and…read moredevelop over the last few years. I actually believe my first time to the Center was for the Yelp 500 two or three years ago and since then I've been for art shows, film screenings, meetings or just to marvel at their tremendous parking lot gardens and chickens. There's something so raw and edgy that makes Big Car a perfect fit for its surroundings. Nestled between all of my favorite ethnic eateries and stores, the building and staff is very in tune with what is going on in Lafayette and tapping in to the diverse audience of the area. I would have to say my favorite part about the Service Center is the simple fact that it once served as a car repair shop but is now filled with Sun King beer, a screening room, and a calendar packed with classes and events for all ages. Can't wait to see what comes next for this creative powerhouse.

Big Car? Oh, you mean the place with the chicken coops…read more I've driven past this facility several times and I always wondered about what went on inside. (The last time I visited, it was a tire center, lol) I was pleasantly surprised by what Big Car had done with the place. I had the opportunity to participate in the Digital Disconnect event where you surrender your mobile devices for an evening of good old fashioned fun. Think board games, letter writing, and live music. Of course, I panicked when I realized that I wanted to tweet about the event and my cell phone was nowhere to be found. But, wow. How refreshing to remember life before being connected to EVERYONE 24 hours a day. Kudos to Big Car on a great event and on re-purposing an unused building on the NW side. I'm looking forward to returning soon and often.

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.

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!

Awesome service and people who live there, I live there. This is my apartment, I love my place and…read morethe quality is amazing, and value too

Located in the Fort Ben area of Indianapolis within blocks of Fort Harrison State Park, Village of…read moreMerici is a non-profit organization providing residential supported living and community integration services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Village of Merici has built and continues to expand upon a neighborhood village offering a continuum of supports and options in all areas of living including residential, occupational, educational, spiritual and social. Village of Merici recently acquired a second building, also located on Lawton Loop, allowing them to expand upon their residential service offerings. They renovate the buildings, most being former Fort Harrison barracks and offices, and turn them into residential settings for individuals with developmental disabilities who have a wide range of support needs. There's a strong emphasis on skill-building - many of those who live in the apartments work at nearby businesses including one of the several restaurants nearby. I've had the pleasure of touring Village of Merici on a couple of occasions and started one of my Tenderness Tour events there. The residential building itself is largely secured to ensure safety. However, as the individuals are renting (and paying for) their own apartments they do also have the ability to access the neighborhood, go outside, and participate in a wide range of activities hosted by Village of Merici. Village of Merici is an approved provider for the Family Supports Waiver and the Community Integration & Habilitation Waiver and is CARF accredited. Village of Merici encourages self-direction and emphasizes the concept of dignity of risk - essentially, people have the right to make their own decisions and to experience the risks that can go along with those decisions. While some circumstances may limit that, for example having a legal guardian, there's a strong leaning toward supported decision-making and, whenever possible, independent living with supports as needed. The building itself has been made accessible throughout. While the building is older, there's an elevator that goes to all floors and every apartment is fully accessible. There isn't a part of the building that is not accessible to individuals with both physical and intellectual disabilities. The original building has 16 one-bedroom apartments and 4 2-bedroom apartments. They are set-up for people with low-incomes. Rather than acting as segregated housing, they seek to offer individuals with varying degrees of disability who meet low-income requirements to live within the Fort Ben area. The building was built with both "green" and energy-efficient technology. Every apartment has a full kitchen and an accessible bathroom. There's a long list of ongoing activities, always voluntary, and services provided are in accordance with a person-centered individualized service plan. You do not have to be in waiver services, or even need supports, to live at Village of Merici but you do need to meet the income requirements. The staff I've met there have been friendly and helpful. The building has a relaxed vibe and has maintained many of the original features while incorporating adaptive options. Village of Merici has both paid and volunteer opportunities and it's not uncommon to see groups volunteering to help them with maintaining their facility. The Village of Merici was established as a non-profit in 2007 and was named after Angela Merici, who became St. Angela of Merici.

What and awesome place for children as well as adults. A piggie rescue, but also cats and various…read morefarm animals have found their forever home here. Think sheep, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks and so on... Make sure you get some feed for the animals before you enter, you will want to feed them for sure. There are animals in enclosures as well as some free roaming piggies, chickens and cats. Make sure you close the gates when going from one section to the next. Don't forget to visit the apartment pigs. Those poor souls grew up in apartments and do not roam outside because they have never been outside. The poor things. Any of the caretakers there can and will tell you loads of stories about the various animals. Very interesting and varied backgrounds. Make sure to stop by the giftshop for some unique gifts, especially piggie themed. There are also always special events on the calendar and when in bloom, you can also pick your own flowers and pay by stem. I highly recommend a visit here with or without the kids. Just make sure you wear shoes and clothing you don't mind getting dirty.

I really enjoyed my experience here. I went in the early winter to drop off pumpkins and then…read moretoured the farm. Everyone was so friendly and happy to answer questions. The farm is well maintained and you can tell the animals are well taken care of. I highly recommend a visit.

This is an excellent facility. I came here to purchase some items from the Girl Scout store and…read moreended up taking a tour. The facility is updated and very clean. In addition to the store, which carries all your girl scout needs, they have meeting rooms, a game room, administrative offices and a lounge. They also have a very nice patio area out front and a decent sized parking lot. The store has all your Girl Scout needs from official uniform clothing, to badges, to patches, and some toys. I was greeted immediately when I came in. I told them what I was looking for and the woman working got all the pieces of the uniform together for me. They made it very easy. They all were very helpful and knowledgeable about the program. I really like this facility and hope that my daughter's troop will be able to incorporate this place into their program and maybe even go camping or earn some badges here. This place is well planned out and put together. Every scout should have the opportunity to go there at some point.

I came to Indiana excited to volunteer at this organization after years of working with another…read morechapter out of state. My initial email was met with confusion. I finally met with a director whom seemed uninterested in working with me. I continue to help out as I could. The chapter as a whole was not innovative or creative. They seemed happy to continue doing the same activities year after year. They actually hosted a cookie and beer event one year. I thought it was a good addition, but tons of people complained. It was beyond strange. People here say they want to do more, but back off when met with resistance. After two years of trying to help, I finally gave up and took my money elsewhere. This chapter is extremely unwelcoming to outsiders. The prefer volunteers with Indiana roots or children in the chapter. I had neither. Also, this place is located across the street from the Women's Correctional Facility. It seems like an odd location for a children's camp.