125 years ago: Wheeler Mission began with the vision of 3 incredible women: Mary Wheeler, Celia Smock & Luella McWhirter. Their ministry was to “friendless women;” in the first year, 100+ local women were served.
Today: Every month, Wheeler Mission receives nearly 700 requests from women for beds we can’t provide. Our Center for Women & Children has more women than beds… so we set up cots on our gym floor most nights.
BUILDING FOR CHANGE. CENTER FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN EXPANSION.
Homelessness among women and children is growing. The U.S. has the largest number of homeless women in the industrialized world. Today, our nation has the highest number on record since the Great Depression.
Sadly, nearly every woman who enters the doors of a Center like ours has experienced some physical abuse, domestic violence or sexual victimization – and has no safety net for herself and her children when times get tough.
Our new Center for Women & Children Expansion will help meet the growing demand for shelter and services by offering:
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160 new permanent beds
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84 new family shelter beds
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30 new long-term shelter beds
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46 new emergency shelter services beds
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A new, secure childcare space: “Revive: Kids”
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Bathroom & laundry facilities
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An indoor play space for families to use together
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15 full-time and 3 part-time staff to increase our staff-to-guest ratio, security & program support
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New space for medical clinics
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Expanded education center
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More than doubled capacity for our programs (counseling, job training, addiction recovery, etc.)
That’s hundreds more women & children helped every day at Wheeler!
For 125 years: Wheeler has given thousands of women & children hope.
Today: We want to extend that hope to even more by building the largest, most welcoming center for women & children Indianapolis has ever seen!
Goal: Raise the first $1.25 million over the next 125 days to help expand our Center with these critical shelter beds & services.
Help build for change and turn these plans into a reality.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
