SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
Thursday, September 9, 2021
The Republican
Page A-13
Helping the Homeless in Hendricks County, Minus Pangs of Guilt home caught on fire, a medical emergency brought the family finances to disaster level or major transportation issues caused job loss. One thing leads to another and before you know it, getting back on ones feet without help, becomes impossible. Mindy Duckett with the Purdue Extension of Hendricks County serves on the Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition board. She’s seen many reasons visitors come to the dozens of food pantries in the county. “I don’t think the majority of people are taking advantage,” Duckett said. “Instead of making a judgement, I choose to think, we don’t know their story.” Maybe the person is dealing with mental health issues, perhaps they have a criminal history that makes finding a job difficult, or perhaps they have dealt with trauma in the past and live with fear of not having enough food or the ability to provide for their family.
Panhandling can have legal repercussions in Hendricks County. _______________________________________________________________________________
By Melissa Gibson You see a man or woman standing in the median of a busy intersection. Their clothing might have holes or appear to be dirty. They haven’t shaved and their skin is darkened by repeated days in the sun. They’re holding a sign, pleading for help or asking for food. For many, our hearts go out to them. What if one of our loved ones were hungary, cold or alone? The pang of empathy is often followed by thoughts of why. Why have they not been able to get a job? There’s a food pantry down the street. Are they not aware of the resources the county has available? Talk with local food pantries, homeless assistance, law enforcement and they’ll each tell you – it’s complicated. Homelessness has a spectrum of definitions. According to a 2017 study by Indiana University, 81 percent of Indianapolis homeless individuals reported they slept in a car, tent, bus station, abandoned building or other public place. Another 13 percent said they slept at a friends house or with relatives. The remaining people surveyed said they slept in a shelter or transitional housing program. More than half of panhandlers reported they typically panhandled every day, for more than eight hours per day and more than 20 percent reported panhandling at least three to four times per week. In 2018, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced a proposal to use $500,000 to address the city’s homelessness and panhandling issues which would increase police presence downtown. The other $250,000 would be given to those organizations that support homeless services and housing. Hogsett’s goal was to “end chronic homelessness in five years.” New restrictions and a focus on panhan-
dlers in the area may be the reason Hendricks County residents have noticed an increase in panhandlers on major roadways or in front of large shopping areas. However, Avon Police Chief Sean Stoops says, unfortunately, what you see is not always the reality. In the Town of Avon’s legal ordinance, Article 19, Section 6-282, it states that there are legal repercussions to panhandling within the town. Other Hendricks County towns have similar ordinances. “In my experience, and from what others report in the department, we have never encountered a panhandler in the area with a legitimate need,” Stoops said. “We’ve offered resources and that typically makes them angry. We let them know they can’t panhandle in this area and we watch them walk across the street, get in a BMW and drive away. It’s unfortunate, but we’ve seen a lot of scams and fraud.” In fact, profit from panhandling can range dramatically according to where the individual stands and how many hours they’re willing to work. While some are barely making enough to buy food for the day, many are earning more than minimum wage and still others, are finding the gig quite lucrative. “You’re heart goes out to them. I still find myself wondering if this is the person that is the exception to the rule,” Stoops said. “That hasn’t been the case so far and we have fantastic resources in the county.” Homelessness in Hendricks County is, in fact, an issue – they just aren’t standing on street corners. In 2020, Family Promise of Hendricks County reported ending homelessness for 103 families, preventing homelessness for 601 families and offering stability services to 2,674 families. They’re “couch surfing”, living doubled-up in a small, one-bedroom apartment or sleeping in their car. The family
Family Promise is just one of the many support systems in place to assist homeless and near homeless residents in the community. ______________________________________
Regardless of the situation, the resources available in Hendricks County are thriving and supported by community members and the Hendricks County Community Foundation. The next time you see a panhandler on the street corner, perhaps just a list of resources in the area is a better gift than the change in your console.
How to give or get help • Family Promise helps the homeless find an affordable home or keep those that are under threat of losing their home in place. Call 317-296-3742 or email info@familypromisehendrickscounty. org. • Active Grace walks “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is the motto of the Henalongside veterans, indi- dricks County Food Pantry Coalition. The Coalition provides a viduals and families in network for local food pantires and information for those who need with education, job need help as well as for those who wish to give help. ____________________________________________________ training and placement. Call 317-296-4924. • Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI) serves as Hendricks County’s local housing authority to apply for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Call 317-3961800. • Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation of Indiana provides housing and reintergration services homeless veterans, Call 317-951-0688. • Hendricks County Food Pantry Coalition is a network of food pantries assisting those that are food insecure. Visit https://hendrickscountyfoodpantries.com.
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Hendricks County Church Directory FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF AMO 4779 Pearl St., Amo (317) 539-6920 www.amo1stbaptist.org Sunday worship: 10:30 a..m.
THEWELL.COMMUNITY A Church of Christ 317-244-3974 554 Pitt Road, Brownsburg, IN 46112 Sunday Worship, 10:00 a.m.
AVON CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 47 N. CR 625 E., Avon, IN 46123 317-839-6231 www.avonchristian.org Sunday Worship - 10:35 a.m.
CARTERSBURG COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Fellowship 9 a.m. Sunday Service 10 a.m.
AVON COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 2309 N CR 800E (Dan Jones Rd), Avon, IN 46123 317-272-6289 Sunday Worship 10 a.m.; Wed., 6 p.m.
CLAYTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH 5110 S SR 39, Clayton 317-539-4512 www.claytonchristian.org Sunday Worship 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.
AVON PARKSIDE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 7236 E CR 100 S, Avon 317-272-7902 www.avonparkside.com Sunday Worship - 10:15 am; Wed. night activities 7 pm
CLAYTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Behind the Clayton Cafe 317-539-2036 www.claytonpres.org Sunday worship 9:00 a.m.
BARTLETT CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST 4396 E. Main St., Avon, IN 46123 (317) 745-2504 • bartlettchapel.com Sunday Worship: 9:00 a.m.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLAYTON 4797 Iowa St., Clayton, IN 46118 (317)539-6196 Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST COMMUNITY CHURCH OF HENDRICKS COUNTY 95 N. Jefferson St., Danville Service: 10 a.m. www.uucchc.org
NORTH SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 104 West Pearl Street, North Salem, IN 46165 (765) 676-6501 Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.
EL-BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 7183 E. CR 100 N, Avon (317) 272-2097 www.el-bethelbaptist.net Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
COATESVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 8052 Hadley Street 765-386-7245 Church Services 10 a.m.
WEST BRIDGE CHURCH 1521 S. CR 75 W, Danville, IN (317) 745-2266 www.westbridgedanville.com Sunday Service 9 and 10:30 a.m.
PITTSBORO CHRISTIAN CHURCH 209 N. Meridian, Pittsboro, IN 46167 Sunday Worship - 10 a.m. 317-892-3245 www.pittsborochristian.org
HARVEST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 4825 E. Main St., Avon IN 46123 Worship - 10:15 a.m. & 6 p.m.
COATESVILLE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 5105 Milton St., Coatesville (317) 828-1832 Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m.
HADLEY FRIENDS CHURCH 2100 S Co Rd 450 W Coatesville. Worship at 10:30 a.m.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PLAINFIELD 1012 Stafford Road, Plainfield, IN 46168 317-839-8163 firstbaptistplainfield.org Sunday worship: 9 a.m & 10:30 a.m
WHITE LICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2530 N CR 600 E, Avon. (317) 852-2840 www.whitelickpcusa.org. Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
COATESVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4863 North Milton, Coatesville, IN 46121 www.gbgm-umc.org/coatesville Sunday Worship Service - 10:45 a.m.
JAMESTOWN CHURCH OF CHRIST 110 W. Mill Street, Jamestown Phone 765-676-6404 www.jamestowncoc.com Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m., 4 p.m.
LIVING CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 4800 South CR 600 E, Plainfield, In 46168 317-839-4800 www.livingchristplainfield.com Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
BELLEVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST 5635 S. CR 200 E, Clayton, IN 46118 (317) 539-5258 www.bellevillechurch.net Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m., 5 p.m.
CALVARY CHAPEL OF DANVILLE 2165 E Main St, Danville, IN 317-745-7199 www.firmlyplanted.cc Services at 9 and 10:30 a.m.
LIZTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH 202 N. Church, Lizton, Ind. 317-994-5452 Sunday Worship - 10 a.m.
ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 710 E. Buchanan Street, Plainfield, IN 46168 317-839-6730 www.stmarksweb.org Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
BROWNSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Corner of Williams Dr. &Locust Dr., Brownsburg (317) 852-8013 Sunday Worship at 10:40 a.m.
DANVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 180 W. Main St. 317-745-2310 Sunday 10:30 Worship Service
LIZTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 120 Brumfield Avenue, Lizton, IN 46149 317- 994-5363 www.liztonumc.org Sunday Worship - 9 a.m.
PLAINFIELD FRIENDS CHURCH 105 S. East Street, Plainfield 317-839-6490 - http://www.plainfieldfriends.org Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. (in person or online)
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH 3175 N CR 900 E, Brownsburg, IN 46122 sgbaptist-brownsburg.org Sunday Worship, 10 & 11 a.m.; Wednesday 7 p.m.
DANVILLE FRIENDS CHURCH 45 N 200 E, Danville IN 46122 317-745-5348 danvillefriends.org Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m,
NEW WINCHESTER CHRISTIAN CHURCH 53 S. State Road 75 Worship 10 a.m.
YOUR VENTURE CHURCH 7865 N CR 100 E, Lizton, IN 46149 317-362-5428 www.yourventurechruch.org Sunday Services 9 & 11 a.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
DANVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 820 W. Mill Street, Danville 317-745-4330 • www.danvilleumc.org Sunday: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1005 W. Main, Danville 317-745-4284 www.maryqueenofpeacedanville.org Sunday Masses at 8 and 10:30 a.m. NORTHVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH 623 N. State Rd. 39, Danville 317-745-5990 www.northviewchristian.org Sunday Worship 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
WHITESTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 8045 West U.S. Hwy 36 (317) 539-6029. Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 8350 St. Rd. 236, North Salem, IN 46165 317-531-3013 Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.
NORTH SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH 219 Ladoga Ave, North Salem, IN. 46165 Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.
ST. AUGUSTINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 600 N. Washington Street, Danville, Ind. 317-745-2741 www.augies.indydio.org Sundays, 8 and 10 a.m., Holy Communion.
NORTH SALEM CHRISTIAN CHURCH 6 North California St., North Salem, IN 46165 765-676-6969 Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.
