09 Aug Because of YOU…we’re more than halfway there!
I have some incredible news to share with you!
Last year, Wheeler Mission launched a $12 million capital campaign to expand our Center for Women & Children in Indianapolis. This past Wednesday, we officially announced that—while we still have more funds to raise—we hope to break ground soon and begin expansion!
Earlier this summer, Lilly Endowment generously granted Wheeler Mission $3 million for our capital campaign. With this gift, we’ve raised more than $7.3 million toward our $12 million goal—we’re over half way there! Lilly Endowment will also contribute up to an additional $1 million through a one-to-one matching funds challenge, which began in July and ends Oct. 31, 2020.
(Pictured left to right: Vop Osili (President, Indianapolis City-County Council), Rick Alvis (President/CEO, Wheeler Mission), Chuck Preston (Program Director, Lilly Endowment Inc.), Allison Melangton (Campaign Chair and Sr. Vice President, Events, Hulman Motorsports Properties), and Colleen Gore (Executive VP of Women’s Programming, Wheeler Mission)
After all the planning, prayers, and waiting—we are ready to get started. And as you can see from the rendering below, the building will be wonderful!
We are extremely grateful to Lilly Endowment for its contribution to our Center for Women & Children. Once transformed, this facility will provide much-needed services to homeless women and children in Indianapolis. However, our work is not over. The fundraising process will continue because the need will continue. I want to remind the community that we must come together to change the trajectory of homelessness in Indianapolis forever.
Indianapolis is in the midst of a crisis regarding the number of women and children experiencing homelessness. In June 2019, we had to turn away 1,100 requests for service. Just last month, the number continued to climb to 1,300 calls for service that could not be met. This is solvable, and this gift from Lilly Endowment will help us take huge strides toward life-changing solutions for these vulnerable members of our community.
To learn more about our “Building for Change” campaign, please go here.
I’m so thankful for this progress in our campaign. While there is still work to do and money to raise, let’s give thanks for this remarkable leap forward!