Your Story. Our Community.

Over the years the library has changed night and day. The physical structure of the library and the change with the world digitizing has made the library change. The library is always there wherever you go, in different cities. They’re the first step to life-long learning.
–Terence, patron at The Indianapolis Public Library

I started here as a volunteer in 2000 and the organization was founded in 1998, so everything was young and new. For me it has been a tremendously rewarding blessing. I’ve seen literally hundreds of students come through this program. We can’t function without our volunteers, financial donors and our food donors. If we had to replace any of them we wouldn’t be able to operate. CICF was the first major foundation to step in and say that “we believe in this mission and we want to support it in getting off the ground”. CICF has been with us since the beginning.
–Jennifer, CEO at Second Helpings

If there’s no funding for arts education, then kids that thrive in the arts lose one of their top motivators to attend school. Many districts with low engagement in the arts see higher levels of truancy. There are connections between the arts and higher grades and higher rates of attendance among students. It’s not just about creating the next great artists; it’s also about using the arts to transform students.
–Ernest, director of grant services and education partnerships at The Arts Council of Indianapolis

I volunteer by taking seniors places they need to go and cleaning their homes. I started when my dad passed away. I noticed that my mom was still very independent but occasionally she needed extra help. It’s interesting to think that we’ll all be in the same boat someday. Now I’m helping someone and someday I hope someone will help me.
–Cindy, volunteer with Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County

A performance I attended with my family when I was ten, was extremely influential. It was a production of “Carousel” that I saw in Chicago. I was sitting in the aisle, and an actor playing the lead came down the aisle singing. All the hair on my body stood up.
–Janet, executive artistic director at Indiana Repertory Theatre

I believe that people in Indianapolis want to welcome refugees. The community wants to continue to make Indianapolis a diverse place for everyone. When you are advocating for others to feel welcome, you are also advocating for yourself that you belong here. Indianapolis should be a home for everyone and not just specific people.
–Sara, case manager at Exodus Refugee