First Ever Foster Care Benefit A Mansion-Sized Success
Sunday August 6th, Adult & Child Health and the Gaunt Family hosted The Mansion on the Mile Tour for Foster Youth. The event served as a fundraiser for foster care with donations at the door affording guests the chance to tour the historic Tate Mansion on 228 N. East Street in Indianapolis. The home first belonged to the affluent Warren and Helen Tate at the turn of the twentieth century. Warren, infamous for how we conducted his public business and personal affairs, is best known as the person who murdered a witness in the Marion County courthouse in 1878. Helen was once arrested for operating a house of “ill repute” in downtown Indy. Both were salacious; certainly not known for having warm, nurturing dispositions. Fast forward over a century, when Tom & Jean Gaunt purchased the house with the intention of transforming it into a bed and breakfast. That dream was quickly placed on hold when the Tom & Jean, seasoned foster parents, adopted nine children at once. Turning a once nefarious and relatively empty mansion, into a full and loving home. Tom is a member of the Adult and Child Health’s Board of Directors, he and his wife have fostered over 100 children and adopted 11. Now empty nesters, the couple converted the home into a Bed and Breakfast, and graciously offered to open it to the public for A&C’s benefit. The event had an incredible turnout with over 350 visitors and a total of $4,127.25 in donations. A network of volunteers led guests through the house, describing the rich historic significance of each room. Staff from Therapeutic Foster Care, ELT, and Development as well as Foster Parents, Foster Youth, and members of the Gaunt Family worked tirelessly, to make the event an absolute success! With such a large volume of attendance, we are truly grateful for all the effort put into their roles. A huge thank you to everyone involved with the event! We are so excited for every opportunity to share our mission & engage with the community. The Gaunt’s story beautifully portrays what’s possible when parents are committed to providing a safe and loving home to foster children. Their large & loving family truly shows us that #ThisisWhy. Visit here, for more information on the Mansion on the Mile Bed & Breakfast. Interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Parent, or supporting Foster Care?
Foster Youth Make ‘Goals’ in Football Tuition Toss Event
Summer 2017 came with an opportunity for four graduating foster youths. During A&C’s Tuition Toss event, funds and footballs were up for grabs as four soon-to-be college freshmen competed for $5,000 of college tuition money. The goal: throw as many footballs as possible through a single hole in 30 seconds. Sponsored by Dr. Pepper, the Tuition Toss challenge is intended to encourage foster children to further their education by providing a financial boost. The winner of the coveted $5,000, was able to land 11 footballs through the hole of the 8 foot structure. His winnings will be transmitted to Vincennes University as he begins his educational adventure this fall. The remaining participants all split another $5,000, each receiving a total of $1,665. Those grads are grateful for the additional funds as they journey to Ball State, IUPUI, and Ivy Tech. Family & friends of the youth were invited, as well as the foster care staff, to celebrate their truly momentous accomplishment. This was the second Tuition Toss for Adult & Child Foster Youth. Dr. Pepper has been a dear and valued community partner to A&C, committed to empowering foster youth in pursing their passions.
A&C Joins City of Indianapolis, Anthem, and Partners in Housing to Aid Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Adult & Child Health was recently announced as a partner in the Housing and Medicaid Services Pilot Program, led by the City of Indianapolis, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Partners in Housing. Mayor Joe Hogsett held a press conference at the Blue Triangle Residence Hall to unveil the project. Also being referred to as the ‘Blue Triangle Pilot’, the initiative will support Anthem members experiencing homelessness by improving overall health and quality of life, fostering social connections and supporting housing independence. Mayor Hogsett announced this first-of-its-kind pilot after declaring his commitment to reducing Hoosier homelessness earlier this year. “Without our collective dedication to our city’s most vulnerable neighbors, today’s announcement would not be possible,” said Mayor Hogsett at the press conference. “The pilot program is designed to connect participants with sustainable, secure housing that will support autonomy, provide connection to wrap around services, and improve residents’ health and quality of life.” The program will only be available to Anthem Medicaid members and will target individuals experiencing homelessness who may have significant mental health and/or substance use issues, multiple physical health issues, and need access to acute, care crisis services. Anthem, in addition to providing customary Medicaid benefits, will fund and support intensive health care and social services navigation services and intensive tenancy and housing support programs. The City of Indianapolis will provide funding for beds and facility costs. “We have effective programs to help persons experiencing homelessness, but more work is needed to align efforts across agencies,” said Allen Brown, CEO of Adult & Child Health. “The Blue Triangle Project combines transitional housing, job training, and healthcare services, including mental health and addictions services, so that Anthem members can break through and overcome the devastating cycle of homelessness.” The pilot program, designed as a short term initiative, began serving and placing participants on May 1st, and will operate for one year. The Blue Triangle Residence Hall, located at 725 N Pennsylvania St, can house up to 50 pilot participants at once. Two Adult & Child staff members are embedded in the Residence Hall, providing outreach as well as health care and social services navigation.
Northwood Community Health Center – Open House
#thisiswhy The heart of our mission is our unwavering dedication to hope, wellness, & recovery. We believe in empowering people to reach their full potential; overcoming obstacles & forging new paths of self-reliance. Adult & Child Health recently celebrated the opening of our Community Health Center in Franklin. The event gathered A&C staff, board members, and essential stakeholders at the 15,000 square foot clinic. A cross-section of speakers from the medical, mental health, and education communities assembled to share their perspectives on the impact of the work being done at the center. Their words were innovative, empowering, and encouraging of a healthier Johnson County. While touring the grounds and meeting with direct care and leadership staff members, attendees could quite literally see Adult & Child Health’s commitment to providing affordable, high quality health services to the most vulnerable of populations. The center was quickly identified by attendees as a stigma-free environment with devoted employees who provide individualized, compassionate care. Adult & Child Health views the Franklin expansion as a vital step in carrying out our mission. It furthers our ability to remove barriers and provide convenient access to total healthcare services. We understand that true wellness is the sum of a healthy body & a healthy mind. Thank you to all who attended in person and in spirit, those who have worked tirelessly to bring this whole health for all concept to fruition, and those who continue to champion the mission of Adult & Child Health.
