Family Support Services looks to Propel its Supportive Housing Program forward

Family Support Services of West Central Indiana has just a little time left to Propel itself into the finals of a United Way contest that could net the organization up to $100,000.

Through the Propel initiative, administered by United Way of Central Indiana, human services organizations will pitch their ideas on how to reduce barriers for those from under-resourced communities or asset-limited backgrounds. The event is open to nonprofits serving residents in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan or Putnam counties. This year’s event is sponsored by Audiochuck.

While four finalists for the United Way program have already been selected, Family support Services is competing with three other organizations to be one of the other two finalists.

One finalist will be selected by the number of donations made in support of their innovation. The other finalist will be selected by the amount of dollars donated in support of their innovation.

However, time is short, as voting closes on Wednesday, April 12 at noon.

“Family Support Services needs our community to give us an opportunity to pitch the Supportive Housing Program in an attempt to win additional financial support,” FSSWCI Executive Director Scott Monnett said. “We believe in the power of our network and community. Please go online and vote today.”

Votes can be made at https://www.uwci.org/propel

As of Monday morning, FSSWCI was in second place in total dollars raised and first in total individual donations, but the margin is close.

Family Support Services entered the pitch contest with the goal of supporting its Domestic Violence Supportive Housing Program. With a focus on the Housing First Model, the mission of Supportive Housing focuses on getting survivors of domestic violence into stable housing quickly.

Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. Through the Housing First approach, FSSWCI advocates focus on getting survivors of domestic violence into stable housing as quickly as possible, and then provide the necessary support as they rebuild their lives. Components include survivor-driven, trauma-informed, mobile advocacy; community engagement; and flexible financial assistance.

Through the Propel initiative, six finalists will pitch their idea live on April 27. The four finalists already selected are Circle City Village, Fathers & Families Center, Indianapolis Legal Aid and Project Will. Family Support Services is competing against Fight for Life Foundation, Ivy Tech Foundation and Pathway Resource Center to be one of the two additional finalists.

Anyone wanting to learn more or who has questions may contact Monnett at scott.monnett@pcfss.net.

Familly Support Services of West Central Indiana is a not-for-profit organization providing services to Putnam, Owen, Clay, Montgomery and Boone Counties with a mission to prevent child abuse, neglect and domestic violence through education, guidance, intervention and supportive services.

Each year, the organization serves more than 1000 families through its domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention programs, Healthy Families and other outreach initiatives.