Wheeler Mission President & CEO to Spend 24 Hours on a Bench, Inviting
Honest Conversations About Homelessness
October 7, 2025
[Indianapolis, IN] — October 7, 2025 — On October 9–10, Wheeler Mission will host a unique 24-hour event—
Conversations on a Bench—designed to challenge perceptions about homelessness and spark real, unscripted
conversations of hope. The event runs from 3:00 p.m. Thursday, October 9, to 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 10
outside Wheeler Mission’s Administration Building at 205 E. New York St., Indianapolis. The event is in
conjunction with “World Homeless Day”, which is on October 10.
For the full 24 hours, Perry Hines, President & CEO of Wheeler Mission, will sit on a bench and livestream oneon-one conversations with community members—including civic leaders, donors, former program participants,
and everyday passersby. The simple bench becomes a stage for truth-telling, healing, and inspiration.
“Every person has a story, and every story matters,” said Hines. “This event invites people to see past
stereotypes and engage with the reality of what it means to experience—and overcome—homelessness.”
The public is invited to attend in person, tune in on Wheeler Mission’s Facebook and YouTube channels, or
submit questions and prayer requests online. While the event is not a fundraiser, guests are encouraged to
bring donation items such as canned food, toiletries, and clothing for men, women, or children.
This Indianapolis event is part of a nationwide movement spearheaded by Citygate Network, a faith-based
association of rescue missions and life-transformation ministries. On the same two days, more than 75 CEOs
across North America will take to benches in their own cities to engage their communities in similar
conversations.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
• Visual storytelling: one-on-one conversations on the bench, a symbolic and striking backdrop.
• Interviews with Perry Hines, local leaders, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness.
• Community members dropping off donations and engaging in real-time dialogue.
For livestream access, donation details, or event information, visit https://wheelermission.org/Live/.
About Wheeler Mission Founded in 1893, Wheeler Mission is Indiana’s oldest and largest homeless service provider. Last year Wheeler Mission provided programs and services to 11,973 men, women, and children, with the vision that every man,
women, and child Wheeler serves would be equipped to be productive citizens, enjoying lasting success in
Christ.
About Citygate Network
As North America’s largest association of independent, faith-based ministries, Citygate Network represents a
unified movement of rescue missions, addiction recovery centers, prison outreach programs, and life transformation initiatives working to address homelessness and its root causes.
The network equips ministry leaders and frontline teams with community, resources, advocacy, and best
practices—empowering them to respond with excellence and compassion. By connecting shelters, recovery
programs, and outreach efforts, the organization fosters shared strategies that guide individuals from crisis to
stability and lasting flourishing.
Media Contact
Brian Crispin
briancrispin@wheelermission.org
(317) 635-3575
