Evansville: Mayor Terry Awards Forward Together Grants

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Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry today announced the recipients of the Forward Together Grant Fund.

The Forward Together Grant Fund, announced on June 3, 2024, was a $500,000 grant fund created by Mayor Terry in an effort to direct American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest dollars to support nonprofits that focus on strengthening neighborhoods and providing pathways out of poverty. Recipient organizations meet this objective by serving Evansville in the following areas: affordable housing, mental health/addiction, food assistance, neighborhood revitalization, job training, youth development, internet access, childcare access, resource navigation assistance and services for those experiencing homelessness.

Eligibility requirements included registered 501(c)(3) status with a Board of Directors, continuously registered for at least the three years immediately preceding application, and direct service to underprivileged or disadvantaged Evansville residents. Applicants could apply for up to $35,000 to fund qualifying programs.

Successful applicants met all eligibility requirements, completed all application requirements, submitted detailed responses and demonstrated sustainability beyond the scope of funds requested.

The City received 79 applications totaling more than $2.5 Million in requests for the $500,000 fund. Ultimately, 18 organizations were awarded the grant funds, sourced from the limited interest on ARPA funds from which the Forward Together Grant Fund was created.

All applications were reviewed by a committee of volunteers, including:
  • Amy Mangold, United Way of Southwestern Indiana
  • Candice Perry, Welborn Baptist Foundation
  • Carol Havens, Non Profit Specialist/Mentor
  • Amy Walker, Retired, Public Education Foundation of Evansville, Inc.
  • Amanda Schmitt, CenterPoint Energy Foundation

Mayor Terry also reviewed the applications and made final decisions on allocations.

"We know that there are countless not-for-profits in this community doing great work, who can always use help to do just that little bit more," Mayor Terry said. "We were fortunate to have the opportunity, through the Forward Together grant program, to offer that help to organizations who are working to revitalize our neighborhoods and to provide pathways out of poverty for our residents.

"I'm excited to see the work that comes from these grant awards, and hope to have the opportunity to continue this program in the future; based on the number of quality applications we received, there is tremendous need in our community for programs like this."

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Ark Crisis Children's Center - $35,000
Ark Crisis Children's Center is receiving funding to sustain its vital Child Care program, which provides free, temporary childcare for children aged 1 to 6 during family crises. This service ensures that no emergency request is denied, offering a safe space for children while parents receive the support they need. By reducing family stress and promoting healthier environments, the program helps protect children from abuse and neglect, strengthening families and fostering community well-being.

Aurora Housing Our Homeless - $35,000
Aurora's Street Outreach Team is a vital part of our community's homeless response system. Funding through the Forward Together grant will ensure that our community has a strong, viable team dedicated to meeting those experiencing homelessness where they are and helping build solutions to improve their lives through housing, income, and supportive service wrap-around care.

Building Blocks - $35,000
Building Blocks, in partnership with the Haitian Center of Evansville, will use Forward Together funding to improve Kindergarten readiness for local Haitian Creole families. The initiative will increase access to high-quality early learning programs and provide over 1,000 bilingual Haitian Creole/English books to foster literacy. By 2025, at least 50 families will enroll their children, ensuring they are prepared socially, emotionally, and academically for school. This effort will also empower Haitian caregivers to support their children's development, helping them succeed academically and thrive as contributing citizens.

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Carver Community Organization - $15,000
Funding will expand after-school and out-of-school opportunities for students ages 9-12. The program will offer hands-on learning experiences, focusing on STEAM to engage youth in real-world problem solving and skill-building. By providing a safe environment for learning and exploration, Carver aims to equip these students with the tools to succeed academically and positively impact their communities. This initiative will support their personal growth, fostering confidence and readiness for future opportunities.

Dream Center - $25,000
Funding will strengthen Dream Center's affordable housing initiatives in the Jacobsville neighborhood. Dream Center manages three properties that provide safe, affordable living spaces, helping to revitalize unused areas and promote neighborhood transformation. In addition to housing, the funding will support community leadership programs and Action Grants that empower residents to improve and beautify their surroundings. This effort is part of a broader strategy to create a sustainable, thriving community, aligned with local redevelopment plans to ensure long-term growth and opportunity for residents.

Echo Community Health Care - $35,000
Funding will strengthen its vital social work and interpreter services, supporting the growing Haitian Creole community in Evansville. In response to the influx of uninsured Haitian immigrants, Echo has become a critical lifeline for those in need of healthcare and resource assistance. This funding will help subsidize essential support staff and interpreter services, ensuring that vulnerable patients, especially those seeking prenatal and pediatric care, receive the comprehensive, culturally sensitive support they need. By enhancing access to in-clinic interpretation and resource navigation, Echo is playing a key role in improving the health and stability of these families.

Echo Housing Corporation - $30,000
Funding will support Echo's eight homeless service programs, which serve hundreds of men, women, children, and veterans in the community. The organization utilizes a low-barrier entry and Housing First model, providing critical services such as mental health crisis response, coordination with behavioral health and law enforcement, and wrap-around support like primary care transportation, harm reduction, and substance use treatment. The funding will also strengthen goal planning strategies that improve housing stability, increase income, and enhance life skills development, helping to empower some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community.

Easterseals Rehabilitation Center - $30,000
Funding will be used to expand the predoctoral internship program in clinical psychology, allowing it to serve more local children and families. The program provides specialized psychological testing and counseling to hundreds of children, regardless of their families' financial means or insurance status. By adding an additional intern position, Easterseals will be able to offer these critical services to even more children in need, while also attracting more psychology providers to the community. This expansion will help ensure that vulnerable children have access to the mental health support they deserve.

Evansville Christian Life Center - $35,000
Funds will enhance key programs such as the GAIN Initiative and Family Care Services, which support individuals and families in breaking free from poverty and achieving long-term stability. These programs offer holistic support, including educational resources, job training, and resource navigation to address challenges like food insecurity, job instability, and financial hardship. The funding will also cover essential operational needs, such as staffing, utilities, and administrative expenses, ensuring the continued success and reach of these life-changing services for the community.

Habitat for Humanity of Evansville - $35,000
Habitat has committed to build 20 homes in the Tepe Park and Jacobsville neighborhoods of Evansville by November 2025. Both areas rank among the city's most distressed, facing challenges such as high vacancy rates, poverty, and crime. This initiative will work in partnership with local organizations like Dream Center, Community One, and Potter's Wheel to improve housing conditions and support the neighborhoods' revitalization plans. The project will contribute to the Mayor's goal of adding 350 affordable housing units by May 2025, helping to increase homeownership and create stronger, safer communities.

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Joshua Academy - $15,000
Forward Together funds will be used to launch a new High Ability Program to help close the achievement gap in Vanderburgh County, where disparities in academic performance exist between Black and White students. The funding will support a certified teacher's salary to identify and nurture gifted students from an early age, ensuring their talents are developed and not overlooked. By providing tailored support, this program will help prevent gifted students from falling behind, ultimately contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty and raising the standard of education for the entire Joshua Academy community and beyond.

Lampion Center - $35,000
Funding will be used to provide critical mental health counseling for the most vulnerable and economically challenged individuals in the community. With many facing severe stressors and life traumas, the funding will enable therapists to offer the support needed to help children, adults, and families heal and move forward. This initiative prioritizes addressing the community's mental health care needs, ensuring that those who are struggling receive the professional care they deserve to improve their well-being and quality of life.

Little Lambs of Evansville - $20,000
The funding will help stock the Little Lambs Store with crucial items like diapers, car seats, and baby gear, which caregivers often struggle to afford. It will also expand the car seat inspection service by hiring an additional Certified Passenger Safety Technician to meet growing demand. Additionally, the grant will provide support for the store's Director and coordinators for Spanish and Haitian services, addressing the increasing need for translation and guidance. Through these efforts, Little Lambs continues to build a community dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of children and families in Evansville.

Missing Pieces Community Development Corp - $25,000
Forward Together Funding will be used to support fare-free transportation services, which connect individuals to essential resources across counties and states. The funding will enhance outreach services for vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities, the elderly, homeless individuals, ex-offenders, and low-income residents. By providing transportation to higher-paying jobs, healthcare, and grocery stores in food deserts, Missing Pieces helps bridge critical gaps in access, empowering individuals to improve their lives and achieve greater stability.

Ozanam Family Shelter - $20,000
Support staffing payroll and administrative operations, ensuring that their dedicated team can continue providing essential services to families in need. The funding will directly support the shelter's cooks and front desk staff, who work around the clock to feed and manage the family shelter. This critical support will help Ozanam maintain its mission of keeping families housed and fed, offering stability and assistance to those experiencing homelessness in the Evansville community.

Patchwork Central - $25,000
Funding will support a variety of essential services for individuals in need, particularly those experiencing homelessness and living in low-income households. The funding will help sustain the organization's food pantry, which provides nutritional support, and its neighborhood hospitality services offering free coffee, snacks, showers, and referrals. It will also aid in the continuation of the bike repair program, which refurbishes bicycles for transportation, and the health ministry, providing services like blood pressure screenings, medical supplies, non-emergency transportation, and health advocacy. These programs are vital in helping individuals meet basic needs and improve their stability.

The Arc of Evansville - $25,000
Funding will support the DiscoverU Summer Program, an inclusive initiative that serves children, teens, and young adults with disabilities or from low-income families, ages 10 to 22. The program focuses on enhancing social and work skills, offering participants a safe and engaging environment for personal growth. Youth will have opportunities to build communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, while exploring career paths and volunteering. The program fosters independence, community involvement, and helps develop essential skills for future academic and career success, promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.

University of Evansville (Emily M. Young Assessments Center) - $25,000
The clinic offers psychotherapy, assessment services, and medical oversight for individuals ages 5 and up, targeting conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. With a commitment to accessibility, the clinic accepts Indiana Medicaid and offers discounted services on a sliding scale for uninsured patients, ensuring care for those who need it most. In partnership with Evansville Promise Neighborhood, the clinic continues to serve low-income and underserved communities, fostering greater mental health support for all.

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