Volunteers of America of Indiana Wins $100,000 Grant from Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis

On June 13, 2017, Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis awarded a $100,000 grant to the Volunteers of America of Indiana for the expansion of their Fresh Start Recovery program during their annual dinner at The Ritz Charles in Carmel. The grant winner was announced following presentations by each finalist and a live vote by Impact 100 members.

Volunteers of America of Indiana will use the $100,000 grant from Impact 100 to expand their Fresh Start Recovery Center and quadruple the number of families served. This residential addictions treatment program for pregnant women and mothers of young children combating the exploding opioid addiction epidemic. With 142 mothers on the wait-list it can take over nine months for new families to enter the program – far too long for mothers ready to address their addiction.

"Impact 100 is honored to support the mission of the Volunteers of America of Indiana," said Beth Thomas, president of Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis. "It's clear that our membership saw the value of funding a program that ensures more babies are born without illicit drugs in their system and to help reduce the wait time for families seeking treatment."

This year marks the 12th anniversary of Impact 100 in Indianapolis. To date, the organization has awarded over $1.9 million to local nonprofits. Organizations submitted grant applications in January 2017. Five focus area committees vetted one finalist in each focus area. Volunteers of America was the finalist in the Family focus area, and was one of five organizations to make a formal presentation to the Impact 100 membership at their annual dinner. The other finalists included: Big Car Collaborative (Arts and Culture), DirectEmployers Institute (Education), Marian University (Environment); and Children's Bureau (Health and Wellness). The four remaining finalists each received residual grants in the amount of $15,000.

"We're grateful to the members of Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis for awarding us this grant. This funding will ensure that over 600 families receive treatment and at least 30 infants are born without illicit drugs in their system every year," said Shannon Schumacher, chief operating officer at Volunteers of America of Indiana.

To date, 14 local nonprofits have received $100,000 and 35 have received residual grants as a result of Impact 100 Greater Indianapolis' collective giving. Previous high-impact grantees include: The IMPACT Program to Curb Runaway and Human Trafficking of Young Girls/Ascent 121 and Lutheran Child and Family Services (2016), Indianapolis Parks Foundation for Indy Urban Acres Flower Farm (2015); Social Health Association of Indiana (2014); Tindley Collegiate (2013); Jameson Camp, Inc. (2012); Outside the Box, Inc. (2011); Rock Steady Boxing (2010); Outreach, Inc. (2009); Herron High School and Horizon House (2008); Indy Reads and Craine House/Fairbanks (2007) and Eskenazi Health Center Pecar (2006).