Partnerships matter as we work so hard to help students break the cycle of poverty. One such essential partnership is the IU School of Optometry. They come and test our students as young as 3 years old to determine any kind of visual challenge that may...
In a season where there is a lot of political conversation, I am reminded that there are lots of conversations and promises related to poverty. Yet, very little has been accomplished in the war on poverty. I often hear about how more programs and more money...
Is there enough food in Indianapolis? Is there enough housing in Indianapolis? The answer to both is, simply, yes. Poverty is not the lack of resources, but it is more about access to resources. So how do we create access to the things our neighbors need? Is that true poverty...
There has been a lot written about the different tests that students take. While our tests and scores are better than most, we are not satisfied. This is not about competition between schools, it is about a student who has a name and a face. Our...
So, it is Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. Whenever I am having a bad day, I take a short walk through our building to see the faces of our students and neighbors. When I do this, I am reminded about how blessed...
Mario Morino says in his book, “Leap of reason,” “The great organizations are those who tackle issues bigger than themselves and partner with others to tackle it.” Partnerships are a key part of Shepherd Community. One great partner is Community East Hospital. In an attempt to better...
It is a challenging time! Giving is down in all sectors of the non-profit world. Governments are talking about taxing non-profits. Many of our families are dealing with major life challenges. Yet I have hope. Why? Because money doesn’t define us. The government will do what it wants, and...
Today, July 31st is the 23rd anniversary of my family moving to Indianapolis to join the work at Shepherd Community Center. We have fallen in love with our neighbors. It has been our privilege to serve with our neighbors to make the near Eastside a better...
So the “heat is on," as the song says. It seems as if there was no spring. Yet for our neighborhood, this is a life and death situation - being stuck in an apartment with no air movement. The local EMS have been busy transporting folks...
Here in Indianapolis we have plenty of food, but we still have hungry people. We have lots of hospitals, but kids still go without healthcare. Indianapolis has lots of great schools and dedicated teachers, but illiteracy is a huge challenge. So what is the problem? Here in Indianapolis, there...
