Accomplishments from our June Recognition Night

Mentees, mentors, and staff enjoyed dinner, and a presentation by Ginger, a mentor, on Positive Habits for Positive Results. This was followed by a presentation of Recognition Certificates.

Marquita is recognized for positive parenting and her continued success with attending her training classes.

Pam: For accepting a mentor as one tool to move forward in her life.

Renu has opened up her life to her mentor as she works on building a life for her and her daughters.

Tracy has worked very hard to find and maintain a job and support her daughter, which is very tough. She has to think ahead and juggle a lot.

Sharrone is on the Dean's list again. Also although she has had recent challenges, she has maintained her finances, studying with the PWG group on Financial literacy.

Terrence: I would like to recognize Terrence for his determination and discipline in working hard to finish school and working hard in college, and also currently excelling in his role as a manager. He is a responsible young man who has a stellar future ahead of him.

Terry graduated from Ivy Tech.

Michelle has maintained a positive attitude and done positive things in her life.

Camien completed her first semester at Ivy Tech with great grades. She is already enrolled in summer semester and working too!

Kaylee: For obtaining employment!

Chilynn: I would like Chilynn to be recognized for persevering through hard times and not giving up. She has been going through a lot lately but she continues to keep her head up and to stay focused on her children's needs.

Betty: For beginning a mentoring relationship as part of rebuilding her life.

Orathay: For opening her life to a mentor as she works toward self-sufficiency.

Pamela: For beginning a mentoring relationship as a tool to being even stronger.

Alan: For being very persistent in job hunting to find full-time work.

Happy Fathers Day

Father’s Day is quickly approaching. Did you know that 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes?
Being a father is a significant bond, created out of love and instruction that a dad gives to his children. The role of a father comes with many challenges and sometimes a father could use a support network to assist with those challenges. Having a relationship with a mentor is certainly a unique way an individual could receive that needed support.
Trusted Mentor’s provides an opportunity for fathers who are re-entering the lives of their families after incarceration to have a mentor within our community. Working with other community organizations we receive referrals on individuals who would like positive mentoring relationships to help them achieve their goals for stabilizing their lives. It’s been our experience that if we can stabilize the life of the parent, the children involved have a direct benefit.
Being in a mentoring relationship is an opportunity to provide tools that help another person realize the potential they have in themselves. By definition, a mentor can be best described as a “wise and trusted friend”. Did you know that 70% of all corporate executives in our country have had mentors at some point in their lives?
While we work with both male and female referral’s, this Father’s Day we are reaching out to the community for more male mentors who desire to make a difference in the lives of other fathers in their community. Currently, we have 5 fathers referred by partnering organizations who are waiting for mentors. You can visit our website at www.trustedmentors.org for information on how to become a mentor.

Thank You

From a veteran volunteer at Trusted Mentors, Jason: "I'm so glad I found your flyer in the coffee shop that day. Volunteering at Trusted Mentors over the last 3 years has been great! I'm excited about what Trusted Mentors is doing and am happy to have been a part."

Thanks to volunteers like Jason, we are making a difference! Won't you join us? Become a mentor and help an at-risk adult on their journey to stability. Visit www.trustedmentors.org to get involved!

Access Pass/ Discounted Admissions

The Access Pass Program offers discounted admissions to the Children's Museum, Conner Prairie, Eiteljorg Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions and the Indiana Historical Society for Hoosier families receiving TANF, Hoosier Healthwise and Hoosier Works assistance. Anyone who receives the benefits of these state programs is eligible to receive an Access Pass Card.

The Access Pass allows families to visit these great educational attractions for just $1 per family member per visit. To apply, visit the box office of any of the Access Pass institutions to fill out and application. Be sure to bring: Your Hoosier Works card or Hoosier Healthwise card and a state issued ID.

To learn more about the program, please visit the Children's Museum website here.

Invisible People

Mark Horvath, was once homeless and knows the pain of being ignored, avoided and shunned. Today, he uses his video camera to capture the stories of "invisible people", men and women who are homeless and the organizations who are trying to help them. By posting these raw stories on his vlog, he is trying to connect us to these men and women who are living with the pain and stigma of not having a home.

Visit Mark's Invisible People website and watch some of his very moving videos.

Thank You

Thank you to all who donated to the Stay at Home to Help Others Stay Housed Fundraiser! With $4,873 donated and $849 coming from the Calvin Fletcher Coffee House, your donations were doubled with a $5,000 donation by The Piatek Institute. Thank you!

The winner of the home portrait is Gwen Woodard! Gwen's name was selected to win a portrait of her home by local artist Judy Byron.

As always, your donations are essential to our mission of helping people remain housed. Last week, we matched Matthew, a young adult in the Connected by 25 program. He’s an IUPUI student and working towards a strong future, after faced with many challenges while growing up. His mentor will help him achieve his goals of succeeding in business and life. Please continue to help us make a difference. Donations are always accepted on-line or can be sent to our offices, 872 Virginia Ave, 46203.

Foster Kids Face Tough Times After 18

NPR features a story today on the struggles young people face after leaving foster care. Connected by 25, an agency that has partnered with Trusted Mentors for mentoring services, was also profiled for their work with at-risk young adults.

For 8 years, researchers have followed roughly 600 young adults who aged out of the system. The study finds that at age 23 or 24, former foster care youth are more likely than their peers to be: Unemployed, Homeless, Pregnant, Convicted of a crime and Uneducated.

To listen or read the story click here.

Thank You for the Tip!

Thank you to Calvin Fletcher Coffee Company and its patrons! The tips added up in March and made a big difference at Trusted Mentors. The $849 is helping people remain housed!

Please be sure to visit Calvin Fletcher Coffee Co.(615 Virginia Avenue)and remember your tips benefit a great cause each month!

Help Bring Us Home!

As March nears an end, so does Trusted Mentors' Stay at Home fundraiser. Help us reach our goal of $5,000 by March 31. We have raised over $4,300, but we need your help to take us to our goal!

Thanks to a $5,000 matching grant, your donation will be doubled until March 31!

Give today and help someone like Tamara:

She Wants to Do It Differently!
Tamara grew up in foster care. She has been independent since 18. Now a mother with young children, Tamara's a part-time student at Ivy Tech and working to provide a stable life for the next generation. She is waiting to be matched with a mentor- someone who can help lead her there.

You can donate online. All donations are tax deductible.

Jeri and Sawyer Enjoy an Evening at Home to Help Others Stay Housed

Jeri and Sawyer during their "Stay at Home" evening. Kick back one night this month and remember those struggling to remain housed. Send a photo of your "Stay at Home" event to bhannon@trustedmentors.org

State Prison Population on the Rise

The Indiana State Prison population rose 5.3% last year, while the national average dipped by 0.4%, the first time since 1972. Indiana's violent crime rate has fallen, but the prison population has continued to swell more than 4% each year. The findings are outlined in the March 17 edition of the Indianapolis Star.

Today, just under 30,000 people are incarcerated in Indiana. Most of them will return home and they will need assistance turning their life around. Over 5,000 ex-offenders will return to Marion County this year. Trusted Mentors is helping by providing these men and women with mentors who can listen, encourage and guide as they begin a new journey.

To read the Indianapolis Star article, click here. If you have an interest in mentoring an ex-offender, please contact Bryan at 317-985-5041.

Stay at Home Update

So far, Trusted Mentors has raised over $1,600 for the "Stay at Home" Event. We need to raise $3,400 more by March 31st to take advantage of the $5,000 matching grant donation!

Help us out. Help us prevent homelessness. While you enjoy a nice evening at home this month, please think of those who may not have a home, or are struggling to keep their home. Think of Trusted Mentors and our work to help the disadvantaged and at-risk in our community.

You can donate now by clicking here. Or you can mail your donation to:

Trusted Mentors
872 Virginia Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46203

Thanks for all you do!

P.S. Don't forget to send us a photo of your "Stay at Home" evening. We'll be sure to post it on the blog!

Cup O' Joe Benefits Trusted Mentors

Looking for a new, trendy coffee spot for your morning routine, or afternoon wake up? Visit the quaint, non-profit Calvin Flethcher's Coffee Company, nestled in a convenient location on Virginia Avenue at the edge of Fountain Square. When you visit, be sure to tip the barista! All tips this month will be donated to Trusted Mentors.

To learn more about Calvin Fletcher Coffee Co., visit their website or stop by and order yourself a good Cup of Joe at 615 Virginia Avenue.

Stay at Home to Help Others Stay Housed

We are inviting you to stay HOME

Home - where memories are created

Home - where a family shares meals

Home- where you relax after the struggles of a busy day

Home - where you stay warm during this cold and snowy winter

When? Any Night in March, 2010

While you enjoy an evening in the warmth of your own home, help others stay housed. Make a donation to Trusted Mentors, and make a difference in the lives of people overcoming homelessness and poverty.

Your financial support helps mentors support people at-risk for homelessness. Last year, 90% of our mentees stayed housed! In 2010, we are looking forward to greater achievements in preventing homelessness.

Donate today, and double your impact. Your contribution will be matched dollar to dollar - with a $5,000 matching grant. Donate before March 31!

Please tear-off and complete your donation form below. Return the form and your check (made payable to Trusted Mentors).

Or, make a secure donation on-line at www.trustedmentors.org/invest

All contributors will be entered to win one custom home portrait created by local artist, Judy Bryon (www.ivyandarches.com). This prize, valued at $200, includes an 8X10 illustration, matted to fit an 11x14 frame (not provided) and a set of 20 note cards. (The winner must provide photographs of his/her home).

March Training Dates

Mentor training dates for the month of March have been set. Please join us to learn more about Trusted Mentors and how you can become a mentor to an at-risk adult. Help prevent homelessness, help an adult rebuild their life- Become a Mentor!

Tuesday, March 9th (Part A)
6-8pm
Lynhurst Baptist Church
1250 S. Lynhurst Drive

Monday, March 22nd (Part B)
6-8pm
Trusted Mentors
872 Virginia Avenue

Hope to see you this month!

New Referring Agency: Welcome AIC!

The American Indian Center (AIC) is an organization that promotes the empowerment of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Indiana to achieve personal, social, cultural and economic growth that enhances the quality of their life. AIC is also working to promote the mutual understanding and respect among Indian and non-Indian people in our community.

AIC has been helping Indiana's Native population since 1992 through job readiness programs, resume and interview skills, transportation assistance, work clothes, job placement, health outreach, tuition assistance, and other programs.

Beginning in March Trusted Mentors will begin providing mentors to individuals at the American Indian Center. We are pleased to have AIC on board and look forward to working with them to promote the well-being of Native Americans in our community.

To learn more about AIC, please visit their website. If you are interested in mentoring please contact Bryan at bhannon@trustedmentors.org

B2R Planning Committee

It's hard to believe, but Bags 2 Riches is less than 7 months away! September 24th, 2010!!

We had our first planning committee meeting last week and we look forward to a great event this year! Thanks to everyone who has signed on to help with the planning committee. We already have some dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who will make this year's event very special.

If you have an interest in volunteering at B2R, want to make a handbag for the competition, want to recruit friends to make a handbag, or wish to join the planning committee, please email me at bhannon@trustedmentors.org

Mentor Training

Please join us tonight for our Mentor Training (Part B). 6-8pm at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 402 E. Prospect Street. Learn how you can join us in our fight to prevent homelessness in Indianapolis!

We can always use more volunteers. Please call Bryan at 985-5041 for more details.

Homeless in the 'Burbs--It can Happen to Anyone

Homelessness in rural and suburban America is straining shelters this winter as the economy founders and joblessness hovers near double digits – a "perfect storm of foreclosures, unemployment and a shortage of affordable housing," in one official's eyes.

"We are seeing many families that never before sought government help," said Greg Blass, commissioner of Social Services in Suffolk County on eastern Long Island.

"We see a spiral in food stamps, heating assistance applications; Medicaid is skyrocketing," Blass added. "It is truly reaching a stage of being alarming."

The federal government is again counting the nation's homeless and, by many accounts, the suburban numbers continue to rise, especially for families, women, children, Latinos and men seeking help for the first time. Some have to be turned away.

"Yes, there has definitely been an increased number of turnaways this year," said Jennifer Hill, executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness in suburban Cook County, Illinois. "We're seeing increases in shelter use along the lines of 30 percent or more."

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's annual survey last year found homelessness remained steady at about 1.6 million people, but the percentage of rural or suburban homelessness rose from 23 percent to 32 percent. The 2009 HUD report, which reflected the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2008, also found the number of sheltered homeless families grew from about 473,000 to 517,000.

Greta Guarton, executive director of the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless on Long Island, led a recent group of about 40 volunteers to scour vacant lots and industrial parks for this year's HUD survey; results are expected in several months.

"One of the things that we've noticed is a lot more unsheltered, mostly men who claim this is the first time they've been homeless, who indicate that it's due to a loss of wages or loss of job, because of the economy," Guarton said.

**To read the full Associated Press article, Suburban Homeless: Rising Tide of Women, Families, 16 February, 2010. please click here.

Training Canceled/ Rescheduled

The mentor training for February 9th has been canceled due to inclement weather, including snowfall, high winds and drifting snow.

We will offer Part A of the training on February 16th from 6-8pm. Training will be held at Trusted Mentors' office, 872 Virginia Avenue. Part B remains scheduled for February 24th, 6-8pm at Immanuel UCC, 402 E. Prospect St.

If you have any questions, please contact us at bhannon@trustedmentors.org or call the office at 985-5041.

Thank you for your understanding. Be Safe!

February Trainnig Dates

Interested in learning more about Trusted Mentors, or how you can get involved as a mentor?

Please join us in February to learn how we are making a difference in our community and how you can join our efforts! We always have a need for new volunteers, and currently we have a need for men who are willing to become a trusted mentor. Hope you can join us!

Tuesday, February 9th, 6-8pm
Trusted Mentors Office
872 Virginia Avenue
(Part A)

Wednesday, February 24th, 6-8pm
Trusted Mentors Office
872 Virginia Avenue
(Part B)

A New Referring Agency--Connected by 25

Connected by 25 is an initiative of United Way of Central Indiana with a mission to ensure that foster care youth are educated, housed, financially stable, employed and connected to a support system by age 25. Trusted Mentors and C25 have partnered to recruit and train volunteers to mentor the young adults in the C25 program!

Beginning in 2010 C25 will begin referring young adults to Trusted Mentors. These young people will be matched with a mentor who will be there to be supportive as the mentee works to secure housing, find a job, establish financial literacy, or advance their education.

Young people leaving the foster care system are an at-risk population who will benefit from the strength of a mentor.

• One in five emancipated youth will be homeless
• Only 50% will have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Nearly 50% will be unemployed
• 25% will be arrested or incarcerated

Connected by 25 and Trusted Mentors are working to help emancipated youth overcome these challenges.

To learn more about Connected by 25 visit their website

Help Us Celebrate!

Trusted Mentors invites you to to join us at our Open House on Wednesday, January 27th to celebrate our new offices and new location! It's a great chance to learn about Trusted Mentors, network with board members and staff, and have some great food and drinks!

Stop on by between 4:30pm and 7:30pm. We are located at 872 Virginia Avenue in Fountain Square.

Thanks to our event sponsors:

Bingham McHale
Sweet Temptations Catering
Sun King Brewery
Calvin Fletcher Coffee

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A day for all of us to work to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned. Today is a day of service, but we don't have to stop there. We can resolve to make this a year of service and make a real difference in our community!

Begin today. Continue the work. Make a difference. Volunteer!

Off the Streets and Giving Back

Jimmy Battle grew up in foster care. He made some bad choices, sold drugs and spent time in prison. But with the help of a D.C. non-profit and the guidance of a mentor he was able to turn his life around. Now he returns the favor. He mentors young men who are "struggling" in the community and he shares with them what he has learned. Jimmy leads by example, showing young men that they have more choices than they might realize and that they must have discipline in the face of adversity.

Read Jimmy's story by clicking on the link below.

http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/guestinsights/2010/01/mlk-off-the-streets.html

January Training is Moving

January 2010 mentor training dates will still be held on the 13th and 25th at 6pm. However, the trainings will now take place at Immanuel UCC, 402 E. Prospect St. instead of Trusted Mentors office.

We currently have more signed up for the 13th training than we can accommodate at our office (a good thing!).

If you have any questions, please feel free to call 985-5041.