CaregivingExploring a Community Center i Never Had
I decided to take a closer look at Concord Neighborhood Center. Women’s Fund has provided significant funds to this organization for a number of years – from computer training for girls to childcare for women; assistance with basic needs to youth development.
New Name, Same Critical Services
Family Service is changing it's name - to Families First. Their services to provide affordable, professional support services to central Indiana families.
A Special Christmas Party at the Indiana Women's Prison
Volunteers from Women's Fund organized a special Christmas party for moms participating in the Family Preservation program at the Indiana Women's Prison. The day was joyful, yet emotional - both for the moms and the volunteers.
New Grants Give More Opportunities to Women and Girls
We are excited to announce we have made grants of $354,413 to benefit 17 organizations in central Indiana. Learn more about the organizations we funded and the important work they are doing in our community.
National Family Caregivers Month - Think About the Caregivers in Your Life
This month is National Family Caregivers Month, which got me thinking about the roles of traditional caregivers.
Caregiving Challenges and Solutions
Women's Fund has made a concerted effort to fund organizations focused on caregiving. We have made great strides in central Indiana, granting over $832,000 to address caregiving issues through organizations.
A Conversation Seven Years Ago Becomes a Beautiful Home for Pregnant Teens
Project Home Indy is opening a home for pregnant and parenting homeless teens, to meet a demand that is greater than what is available in central Indiana.
Discovering
I truly have had a great time getting to know Womens Fund better over the past few months. Yes, I went through OPTIONS several years ago. Yes, I know several of the organizations who benefit from Womens Fund grants. Yes, I have a few friends on committees and/or the board. But Ive discovered some new things I didnt know (or maybe didnt remember). Take, for example, some of these did you knows that ive discovered or rediscovered.
Women's Fund Awards $337,500 to Organizations Supporting Caregiving, Domestic Violence and Insufficient Income
(Indianapolis) Women’s Fund of Central Indiana recently awarded $337,500 to organizations giving opportunities, encouragement, knowledge and hope to women and girls in central Indiana. The grants, awarded to 13 organizations, target central Indiana’s organizations focused on caregiving, domestic violence and insufficient income.
Options and Opportunities
My grandmother graduated in 1949 with a Chemistry degree (pictured is the two of us in recent years). Her five hard-working daughters became a teacher, nurses, doctor, and a graphic designer/business owner. From a young age, my closest friends were education-focused, and they are now working in a variety of career fields. You might imagine one of the most important values to me is education, and I am fortunate this was modeled by many strong women in my life.
7 Billion and Climbing
The world is about to reach a population of 7 billion people, which could have big implications for us - particularly for women.
Southside Community is Centered on Concord
Each time I visit a Women's Fund grantee, I walk away amazed—at the work being accomplished, the challenges faced in our community, and the creativity of staff members to make tight budgets go even further. My visit to Concord Community Center last Tuesday was no exception. I joined Women's Fund Advisory Board, Grants Committee, and OPTIONS Class 10 members to learn about this center's services to families on Indianapolis' Southside, services Women's Fund has supported since 1999, through grants totaling over $107,000. We had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Niki Girls, director of Concord for about 25 years.
I Walked in the Shoes of a Struggling Woman – and Walked Away Relieved
Women's Fund hosted a program called "Take a Walk in Her Shoes" which allowed participants the opportunity to become a woman in our community faced with complications, obstacles and barriers, struggling to get by. Our job was to try and navigate the social services available to people trying to escape poverty.
Let’s Go Reggio! A Visit to the Day Nursery Ruth A. Lilly Center
Jenny Burch, OPTIONS Class 11 Member, shares her perspective on a visit to Day Nursery's Ruth A Lilly Center.
Back to School...Or Not?
"Kids go back to school... or maybe not" talks about the challenges the Indianapolis Public School (IPS) system faces this time of year.
Transforming Lives and the Community Through Business Ownership
By: Kelli Reifel, OPTIONS Class 10 member As a member of OPTIONS Class 10, I recently had the opportunity to attend a site visit at Business Ownership Initiative of Indiana. BOI is one of the countless amazing organizations Women’s Fund supports. I was, once again, impressed to learn about how yet another organization supports women and children in Indiana.
Summercamp...At Indiana Women's Prison
How many of you think back to childhood and remember the joy of summer camp? So, as much as I LOVE summer camp, I have to say I was astounded to learn about summer day camp at the Indiana Women's Prison (IWP).
Imagining a Nation Where Family Leave is Not Questioned
Family leave is a hotly debated topic, and even moreso in recent months with statements made by prominent executive mothers. Creating and growing policies that work for more families and employers is critical and needs additional attention.
Family Preservation @ the Indiana Women's Prison
Women's Fund has long supported the Family Preservation Program at the Indiana Women's Prison (IWP) because we believe a woman is more likely to live a lawful life and not re-offend if she has the tools necessary to be a good mother. So what does this mean?
Theodora House Helps Female Offenders
Can you imagine being in prison, close to being released, and having to figure out how to pick up the pieces and restart your life when you return home? I can't. As if the challenges around being in prison are not great enough, it is even more difficult to rejoin society as a productive citizen, free of the barriers and issues an offender had when entering the system.
Indiana Women in Prison
The front page of today's Indianapolis Star tells a story we are, unfortunately, familiar with at Women's Fund. In the past eight years, the number of women incarcerated in Indiana has risen 61%.
UN Women Reflects Goals for Women Everywhere
I was intrigued to learn about the United Nation's vote on Friday to establish UN Women. The goals of this entity are to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. I'm truly excited about a new international platform to address issues impacting women, and I hope this effort is successful in accomplishing its goals.
Caregiving... What I didn't know
Caregiving is more than an issue Women's Fund focuses on, it is an issue impacting all of us in one way or another. Many of us are responsible for the care of children, or are faced with elder care issues. The related statistics are striking. Following are some facts about caregiving, which we have uncovered in our research publication, Still on Shaky Ground 2006:
Hawthorne Community Center is the heart of its neighborhood
Contributed by Julie Rowlas, Community Volunteer. A few days ago I shared the experience of visiting Hawthorne Community Center with some friends and new acquaintances I’ve met through my volunteer activities with Women’s Fund. It was a beautiful day and the center was bustling with activity as it was assuming its role to be the neighborhood children’s cornerstone for the summer.
Recognizing Older Women in Our Community
May is Older Americans month. Learn about the role older women play in caregiving and the reality of some older women's circumstances.
Sniffles and summer vacation mean extra planning for moms
Today I was struck by my good fortune of having a strong network – particularly in terms of quality daycare, a good family who helps with the kids and the ability to tap into the great community resources available for working moms. I’m currently facing two situations that are not uncommon to working moms – a sick kid and planning for summer care. Both raise the question of balancing work and family responsibilities.
Challenging what we know
Contributed by Raquel Richardson, Principal, Silver Square :: Marketing + Design. We know the sun will come up tomorrow. We know the leaves turn colors in the fall. We know the earth is round. We know the truth – until we don’t. Our world has a funny way of keeping us off balance and adding in those little idiosyncrasies that make us pause and take note, challenging what we know.
Day Nursery Q & A with Marsh Hearn Lindsey
As we anxiously await the arrival of Development Officer, Abigail Coleman's baby we felt this would be a perfect time to repost this entry about Day Nursery and the invaluable services they provide to parents and children in our community.
OPTIONS Perspective: Project Home Indy
OPTIONS Class 11 visited Project Home Indy on Tuesday, April 12. Class member Maggie Bowden shares her perspective on the visit.
Caregiving Options Help Central Indiana Women
Women’s Fund puts philanthropic support to work through strategic investments focused on building and strengthening our community.
Madeleine Albright: A Trailblazing Leader
Since March is Women's History Month, it is fitting to highlight a trailblazing woman in history, Madeleine Albright. Last night, Dr. Albright spoke at Butler University as part of the Celebration of Diversity distinguished lecture series, captivating the audience with a sincere, inspiring, witty, and thought-provoking presentation.
Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate women's contributions to history, culture, and society. It's only fitting to pay tribute, as we have through our blog recently, to women such as the WWII WASPs and female black civil rights workers, in honor of their tireless efforts to provide a foundation for women's success today.
Women and Girls in Central Indiana: Still on Shaky Ground
Still on Shaky Ground 2011 reveals, although progress has been made in areas of caregiving, domestic violence, and insufficient income, there is much progress yet to be made.
Day Nursery: A Childcare Leader
Did you know: In central Indiana there are only 24 licensed childcare spots for every 100 children under the age of six whose caregivers work outside the home? Women's Fund has awarded $830,000 to address caregiving challenges in central Indiana, funding organizations like Day Nursery Association of Greater Indianapolis.
Mom/Daughter Time with the Wannabes
How often do you and your mom or you and your daughter get together with the explicit purpose of laughing, poking fun at each other, and seriously discussing issues of which your dad, husband, or brother have absolutely no clue?
Strengthening Families through Indiana Women's Prison
Children whose parents have been incarcerated are seven times more likely to be re-incarcerated themselves. Women's Fund has provided support to programs focused on strengthening family ties at the Indiana Women's Prison since 1999.
Babies Behind Bars on TLC
Babies Behind Bars is a two-part series that airs on TLC this week. The program highlights the Wee Ones Program and the work the Indiana Women's Prison is doing to help inmates bond with their babies. Interesting program; really interesting show to watch.
Honoring Black Women in History
February marks Black History Month, a time dedicated to reflect on the contributions made by women, men, and children in black history.
Insights Into Issues Facing Women & Girls
Julie K. Koegel, Grants Officer for Women's Fund of Central Indiana, shares some valuable insight into issues facing women and girls.
Day Nursery Talks "W" - Winter Weather and Impact on Caregiving
Today’s blog post is brought to you by the letter “W” and Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis, Indiana’s oldest child care provider. We visited with Day Nursery Chief Operating Officer Marsha Hearn Lindsey to talk about two words that begin with the letter “W”—winter and weather and how they affect the operation of the 112-year-old agency’s seven early childhood education centers.
In It for the Long Haul
Sara Fichtner, OPTIONS Class 13 member and Divisional Grant Coordinator, The Salvation Army, shares her insights and take-aways from a recent visit to Concord Neighborhood Center.
Women. Girls. Central Indiana. - January 2013
A monthly update on Women's Fund happenings from Jennifer Pope Baker, Executive Director.
Childcare Wanted: My Personal Struggle
Finding quality childcare for my infant has proved more difficult than I ever understood, which is why I'm personally glad Women's Fund is tackling this important issue.
Women Are on the Up and Up
What is in store for women in 2012? Many challenges are ahead. Will you join Women's Fund in making a difference?
New Year’s Resolutions for Women’s Fund?
Do nonprofits make resolutions? Does Women's Fund? One writer identifies four New Year's Resolutions all nonprofits should make in 2011. Find out what they are and how Women's Fund may relate to them.
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