INDIANAPOLIS — An effort that gives the homeless a "hand up" and not a "hand out" here in Indianapolis, received a big financial boost Tuesday.
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation announced a nearly $75,000 grant to help fund the Street Reach Indy Program.
Street Reach Indy is a joint effort between the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) and Downtown Indy. The goal is to help remove the financial and healthcare barriers that often prevent the homeless from finding permanent housing. For example, one couple who had the money to pay their rent but not the security deposit.
"Street Reach Indy was able to quickly cover the deposit so the family could move into housing. Once housed, the family was able to get their children back," Tom Tuttle, Street Reach Indy manager, said. "And I'm proud to say it's been over a year and the family is still housed. It's stories like these that tell Street Reach's impact."
You can make donations to help Street Reach Indy at special boxes and parking meters around the city.
Tuesday's grant will help 146 people.On any given day, there are about 1,700 people who experience homelessness in Indianapolis.
