DONATION RESOURCE // Outreach Indiana
Who were your role models growing up? Maybe you looked up to your parents or grandparents, an aunt, a teacher, or maybe your neighbor down the street? I’m sure someone comes to mind for you, and you could probably tell me countless ways they’ve impacted how you live your life today.
Mary Voigt had some incredible role models growing up, sparking a passion to provide that same sense of support for others. She has been given the perfect opportunity to do so in her role as Communications Manager at Outreach Indiana, a local organization seeking to provide hope for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. While Mary has been such a positive light, she has received more in return than she ever expected.
“It’s one of those things where I thought I’d be making an impression on other people’s lives, but the young adults here have been such a bright light in my life.”
Outreach is a powerful organization here in Indianapolis working to meet youth and young adults experiencing homelessness where they’re at, striving to equip and empower them to achieve stability while transforming their lives. They provide food, clothing and hygiene items to those in need, as well as access to laundry services, showers, and computers at their program centers. Outreach seeks to create a safe space for young adults to come and receive any help they may need. With relationship building at the core of what they do, their staff works to provide anything from case management services to transportation, and a multitude of other services in between.
I recently had the privilege of connecting with Mary to learn more about the heart behind Outreach, and how we at The Baer Minimalist can get involved with all of the amazing things they are doing!
What kinds of donations are accepted?
There are a myriad of items accepted, including both new and gently used items. Since showers are provided at the program centers, hygiene items are always needed, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant (travel sizes are best!). Laundry pods and dryer sheets are also helpful since laundry services are available at the centers as well. As far as gently used items, clothing such as socks, sweatpants and leggings for women are in high demand. Layered items become more of a priority once winter approaches. When donating clothes, please make sure they are clean and free of holes! For a full list of donation needs, check out this link!
What are the greatest needs right now?
The top two needs at the moment are bus passes and underwear (both mens and womens!). Outreach works hard to provide transportation to the young adults who come to their centers, specifically for job interviews, transportation to jobs, as well as transportation to and from Outreach’s program centers. New underwear is ALWAYS needed, and runs out of stock quickly.
Approximately how many young adults have been reached?
Every year, about five hundred young adults are served through Outreach - isn’t this incredible?! Each day fluctuates between ten and fifty young adults that come through, mainly depending upon weather. In 2020, Outreach served four hundred and eighty-two young adults, and have currently served nearly four hundred to date so far this year!
What can we anticipate seeing from Outreach in the next 3 years?
Outreach is continuing to grow and reach more young people, as you can already see in how many lives they’ve touched this year. They opened a satellite center in 2020 with the goal of meeting youth and young adults where they are, recognizing the limits of transportation throughout the city. Since many young adults don’t have a bus pass, they can’t physically get to Outreach’s program center, so they hope to open more satellite locations in order to better serve youth across the city.
How can readers get involved?
There are so many opportunities for people to get involved! Aside from in-kind donations, Outreach has an Amazon wishlist of ongoing needs. There are also over thirty volunteer opportunities listed on their website, including both individual and group opportunities.
Where can we follow along?
Facebook: @OutreachIndiana
Instagram: @outreach_indy
LinkedIn: @Outreach
It was an absolute JOY getting to know Mary and learn more about the mission of Outreach! She’s passionate about what she does, and expressed how she feels overwhelmed with gratitude each time a young adult comes back to share the impact Outreach has had on their life. This wouldn’t be possible without support and donations from the community. So, next time you go on a trip, snag some travel size shampoos and conditioners from your hotel or pick up extra dryer sheets at the store because we have the perfect place for you to take them!
We’d love to hear about your role models - comment down below and tell us who you’ve looked up to and how they’ve impacted your life!
The Baer Minimalist helps busy families create ORGANIZED + STYLIZED spaces throughout Indianapolis. While she doesn’t have teenagers (yet!), she has twin two year-olds who keep her on her toes and put her organizing to the test!
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