Dear Indy,
We’re starting this week with a new story from eastside reporter Darian Benson, who spent some time learning about the Fathers and Families Center’s new construction training center.
Here’s how Darian’s article begins:
John Plump suffered a stroke in 2017. The father of seven said his speech was affected and he experienced memory loss. He also lost his job remodeling kitchens and bathrooms.
While trying to figure out his next step, a friend recommended the Strong Fathers class from the nonprofit Fathers and Families Center.
“I wanted to take advantage of this, you know, to kind of be a stepping stone back to recovery,” said Plump, 61.
The program is a free three-week course that helps men become better fathers through life skill development, education assistance and guidance on relationships and legal issues.
It also prepares them for the workforce. The program helps men explore careers, prepare for interviews and learn more about career growth strategies.
“We want to ensure that we are providing opportunities for men who need a second, third, fourth chance, you know, that’s crucial,” said Larry Smith, Fathers and Families Centers CEO.
At the end of the program, participants can either apply for jobs or go through job certification programs, including construction training at the nonprofit’s new training center on the east side.
That’s what Plump is doing now.
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In other news
- Nicole Sipe, the editor of Indy’s Child, provided the latest Culture Journal. See where her cultural life took her over the week.
- For now, a stretch of land in the southeast side remains only a landfill. Soon, though, the city hopes to outfit the area with solar panels as part of a community solar project.
- Sometimes saying sorry is hard — and saying it the right way can be harder. For advice, service reporter Sophie Young reached out to a therapist, pastor, public relations professional and two kindergarten teachers. We can all learn something from what they shared.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow: Hear new poems by Butler University’s MFA poetry students at Dream Palace, 111 E 16th St., starting at 6 p.m. Poet and professor Bryce Berkowitz will be presenting. Free.
- Friday, May 3: First Friday at Alley Cat Ceramics, 2209 E. Michigan St., includes a food pop-up from The Handshake — owned by artist and foodie Dominic Senibaldi — floral arrangements from Fridas Flowers and massage therapy from Auradelic. From 6-10 p.m., you can also try clay activities and buy yourself some pottery. Free.
- Saturday, May 4: At the Indianapolis Liederkranz, 1417 E Washington St., you can have dinner, enjoy a concert and dance for $30. The Women’s Choir, in addition to the band Indy Polkamotion will perform from 4-10 p.m. Rouladen is what’s for dinner.
— Jennifer Delgadillo, arts and culture editor
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- IndyStar: Responding to last week’s surprise soccer news, columnist James Briggs writes: “I don’t know whose out-of-town money convinced Mayor Joe Hogsett he can bring big-league soccer to Indianapolis or whether his risky gambit will be rewarded. I am confident in one thing: The city’s Major League Soccer odds just rose.”
- The Trace: Road rage shootings are on the rise in the U.S., jumping more than 400% between 2014 and 2023.
Notes from our Documenters
This week is a light one with just two meetings on our schedule.
Today we’re covering the Decatur Township Civic Council.
On Thursday, we’re covering the City-County Council’s Public Works Committee.
What other meetings should we cover? Let me know!
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
IndyStar’s Kaitlin Lange — my reporting partner on last week’s article about gubernatorial candidate Brad Chambers’ company’s unpaid loan from Indy taxpayers — hopped on WIBC’s Kendall & Casey to share some of the findings of our investigation.
If you’re interested, it begins around 32:15 of this feed.
That’s it for today. See you tomorrow.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
