Your Story. Our Community.

Stopover took me on a journey that I never thought I’d be on. It showed me the ways that my mother and father couldn’t show me. Stopover gives back to the community for kids who need help—showing them that they can be better than what people tell them and that there’s another way to get through life. They show us how to work. They show us how to get things that we need. When I first got here I didn’t have a birth certificate or a social security card, nor did I even work. So, they made it a goal for me to get my social security card and my birth certificate. Since I’ve been here for the last two months I have both now. I plan on giving back. I plan on helping kids like me who didn’t have nothing growing up and feel like they’ve been left out. For me, I want to give back to the community for kids like me who have been through what I’ve been through.
—Kevin, youth from Stopover’s Safe Place program

My mission is to be a voice and speak out and tell people what’s right and what’s wrong—to be a role model. I feel that it is my duty as a trans woman to be an advocate and speak out and help other trans folks and other LGBT people.
—Lamiya, IMAGE program ambassador at Brothers United

We are a resource for artists, the arts community and the general public as well. We’re associated with a diverse assortment of arts experiences, programs, initiatives and even arts funding. Gallery 924 was the response to the fact that Indy’s gallery scene was shifting. We now show mid-career and established artists because that is the current need, as there aren’t as many galleries downtown anymore.
—Shannon, vice-president and director of Gallery 924 at the Arts Council of Indianapolis

As an educator, I’m a relentless, tireless advocate for kids. I treasure the vision of kids learning and growing. Arts for Learning brings arts to the lives of kids. In my experience, kids need lots of opportunity to build confidence, identity, and creativity. Arts for Learning brings those to the lives of kids.
—Charlie, secretary of the board for Arts for Learning

The most rewarding thing is showing the kids that the bicycle can be used as a tool not only for exercise but for exploring their city. The sky is the limit. As long as we keep plugging along and keep doing what we’re doing, there’s no stopping what we can do.
—Chris, program operations director at Nine13sports

I have seen so many miracles here. You can have the worst day ever but when you arrive at Agape and you see the staff, students and horses, you’re overcome with peace and it turns into the best day ever. You feel so much joy and love by giving back.
–Tina, volunteer at Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources