Marion County serves an outsized number of students experiencing homelessness.
Thousands of Marion County students have experienced housing instability and these students are 87% more likely to drop out of school than their housed peers, according to data from Brightlane Learning.
Brightlane Learning is a local nonprofit that seeks to close these gaps through tutoring programs targeted toward students facing housing instability.
And, this year, Brightlane is bringing community partners into the conversation through a new series of talks focusing on the needs of Indianapolis’ unhoused students.
In the first meeting of their series, Brightlane joined three partners — Coburn Place Safe Haven, IPS Family Resource Center and Moorhead Community Resource Center — to talk about how school and community collaboration can promote academic success.
You can join Brightlane for its next conversation from 9-10:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Katz, Sapper & Miller Conference Center, 800 E. 96th St., Suite 150, to talk about overcoming obstacles in family homelessness.
Another conversation at 9-10:30 a.m. May 13 at Arsenal Tech High School, 1500 E. Michigan St., will focus on how to sustain and expand support for students. Both conversations are free. You can register for one or both events online.
If you’re seeking resources and not sure where to start, finding the right program can be tricky. Here’s four groups that both serve students directly and work to connect families to specialized resources as needed.
Brightlane Learning
What is Brightlane Learning? An educational nonprofit that provides free tutoring to students facing housing insecurity in Indianapolis.
Who does Brightlane work with? Brightlane partners with more than 30 Indianapolis schools, shelters and community groups to meet students where they’re at. The nonprofit serves more than 800 students annually in tutoring sessions conducted during and after school.
Sometimes, volunteer tutors meet students at their school. Other times, tutors work with students in shelters or other community spaces. Brightlane supports students of all ages and counts IPS, Lawrence, Pike, Warren and Washington township schools among its partners.
How can you seek out services? Brightlane works with students referred to the nonprofit through school or community partners. Those interested in connecting a student with Brightlane tutors can reach out to their child’s school to learn more.
How can you help? Brightlane is seeking volunteers to tutor students. Tutors commit to volunteering at least one hour a week. Shifts are available during and after school hours, and Brightlane will provide training. To learn more or apply, visit Brightlane’s website.
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Coburn Place Safe Haven
What is Coburn Place Safe Haven? Coburn Place supports families who are facing homelessness due to experiences with domestic violence.
Who does Coburn Place work with? Coburn Place is well known as a local housing provider for those who have experienced domestic violence. It runs a building with 35 apartments, housing survivors and their families. The nonprofit also provides rent assistance to families living in other locations. Those who stay with Coburn Place are guaranteed housing for up to two years.
The nonprofit also provides financial literacy classes and wellness classes for adults as well as afterschool care, kids camps, and therapy for children. Coburn Place partners with Brightlane to provide tutoring and offers art classes, parenting coaching and other family-based services.
How can you seek out services? Families are generally referred to Coburn Place through partner organizations or shelters. Those seeking immediate help can find a list of emergency shelters and resources on Coburn Place’s website.
How can you help? Coburn Place seeks donations for food, cleaning supplies, furniture and other household items. Most urgently, the nonprofit needs quarters, bus passes and gift cards for grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants. A list can be found on Coburn Place’s website.
Donations drop-offs must be scheduled. Those seeking to make a donation can fill out an inquiry form online or call 317-907-9620. You can also shop the nonprofit’s online Amazon Wish List.
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IPS Family Resource Center
What is the IPS Family Resource Center? A school-based resource run by Indianapolis Public Schools that connects communities to essential needs.
Who does the resource center work with? The center partners with community organizations and groups such as Community Health Network, CAFE and the Indianapolis mayor’s office to provide vision care, medical services and mental health and wellness programs among other resources to IPS students and their families.
How can you seek out services? The resource center is newly located in Arlington Middle School, which was renovated as part of IPS’ Rebuilding Stronger initiative. A list of services provided can be found on the resource center’s website.
IPS families can visit in person any weekday. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enter through door 2 of Arlington Middle School, 4825 N. Arlington Ave. Families can also call 317-226-2340 or email FRC@myips.org to learn more.
How can you help? The center seeks volunteers and donations. Staff say they’re in need of hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes, towels, wash cloths, air mattresses, sheets, blankets, laundry supplies and sleeping bags.
Moorhead Community Resource Center
What is the Moorhead Community Resource Center? The center is run by the Warren Township school district and seeks to eliminate barriers to education through family support services.
Who does Moorhead work with? The far eastside resource center provides referrals to housing and utility support, mentoring, art therapy and employment services for Warren Township’s 12,000 students and their families.
Moorhead serves as a tutoring location for Brightlane Learning volunteers. It also partners with the Warren Township Council of PTAs to house the Sonny Day food and clothing pantry, which is open to the broader Indianapolis community.
How can you seek out services? Stop into Moorhead Community Resource Center, 8400 E. 10th St. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Families can also call the center at 317-532-3854 to learn more about what resources are available or to schedule a visit outside of the center’s business hours. A list of Sonny Day distribution dates is available on the food and clothing pantry’s website.
How can you help? Volunteers can help organize donations to the Sonny Day pantry. Prospective volunteers can contact Moorhead or reach out to Sonny Day for more information.
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Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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