S U P P O R T I V E S PA C E INDIANA YOUTH GROUP CHAMPIONS LGBTQ+ YOUNGSTERS

Writer / Renee Larr

Photography Provided

Indiana Youth Group (IYG) has served LGBTQ+ youths in the Indianapolis area for over 35 years by providing supportive programming to empower adolescents and young adults. What started as a drop-in community center in 1987 has become a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ people aged 12 to 24.

Chief Executive Officer Chris Paulsen says one in four LGBTQ+ youths are kicked out of the family home when they come out, due to family rejection. This often leads to couch surfing or staying with friends. In response, IYG launched Project Prism in October of 2020.

“The goal of our rapid rehousing program is to get LGBTQ+ youth into stable, long-term housing,” Paulsen says. “We work with various apartments around the city and pay the rent and utilities. Many of our clients are victims of generational poverty or homelessness, and they’re just trying to break the cycle.”

IYG also provides much-needed case management for individuals in need. Paulsen says case managers interview and assess youth to determine any additional support needed in mental health, suicide prevention, housing, and legal assistance. IYG also offers assistance with basic needs like transportation, hygiene and cleaning products, and clothing.

“Our case managers do a lot of the work themselves, but we do refer the youth that comes to us to different community partners,” Paulsen says. “Our main focus is reducing suicide ideation in queer youth. Around 40% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered suicide in the last year. That is something that we definitely want to address, and make sure that they have a space that is both welcoming and supportive of whoever they say they are.”

Paulsen says IYG FAM is a support group for parents who are trying to understand their young person’s gender identity or sexual orientation, and trying to become more supportive of that young person. She says case managers and mental-health experts guide parents through meetups, online support and one-on-one family counseling.

IYG provides LGBTQ+ Competency Training to businesses, religious groups, educational programs and community groups. Paulsen says the program offers information on topics like proper use of pronouns, gender identity, supporting someone transitioning in the workplace, and ways to improve support of LGBTQ+ youths.

Many of IYG’s clients are referred by a school counselor, mental-health therapist or friend. Paulsen says many of the youths they serve bring friends with them. Some stumble upon IYG through a Google search.

Each year the organization hosts a Youth Summit. The conference provides guest speakers, workshops, discussions and symposiums. Paulsen says the all-day event brings together 100 to 150 youths each year.

Paulsen says the organization also advocates both within the community and at the Statehouse for LGBTQ+ youth acceptance in every space. IYG needs both volunteers and monetary donations. She

While the programming has changed, the core of IYG’s mission stays the same - providing LGBTQ+ youths the best chance at being their authentic selves as they grow into adulthood.

“We’re still a drop-in center where kids can be their true selves and have fun,” Paulsen says. “We serve a hot meal and have karaoke, but we’ve bolstered our programming and case management throughout the years.”

Paulsen says IYG moved to its current location at 3733 North Meridian Street five years ago with a purpose. The site is easily accessible, with the Red Line right outside. She says they chose the area knowing the neighborhood they would be supporting.

The building is adorned with rainbow-colored, waving hands, making it a noticeable LGBTQ+ safe space.

“Recently, Homeland Security put out a warning for LGBTQ spaces,” Paulsen says. “We met with a former FBI agent to look at our systems. We have cameras and doors that automatically lock. There is a high level of security here, which is important to us.”

While many of the services offered are in person, IYG clients can also participate online. Paulsen says participants can log on daily and speak with peers and adult mentors on any topic they choose.

For more information or to get involved, call 317-541-8726 or visit indianayouthgroup.org.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / John Bolinger

February 3 marks Community First Bank’s 20th anniversary. On that date in 2003, Community First Bank of Indiana (CFB) made history by opening the first new bank chartered in Howard County in more than 55 years. Since then, the bank has expanded to 8 offices across Hamilton, Marion, and Howard Counties. Robb Blume (chief executive officer and president), Bea Wiles (chief operating officer), and Bob Hickman (chief credit officer) have been with the bank since its founding two decades ago.

“When we first started to formulate a plan to start a bank, everything was a risk,” Blume said. “In most cases our employees were leaving secure jobs to join the team, our directors were disrupting the status quo in the market, and investors and customers were taking a chance based on their belief in our people and a promise - a promise that we would build a community bank that would focus on local consumers and businesses while providing a stable and safe investment.”

Everyone affiliated with CFB is committed to making their communities better places to live and do business. The bank’s commitment to community was unwavering even amid a global pandemic. In 2020, CFB donated more than $96,000 to nonprofits that entrusted the bank to process their Small Business Administration Paycheck

Protection Program (PPP) loan. The PPP Loan provision of the CARES ACT was intended to assist small businesses/ organizations facing challenges related to COVID-19, primarily helping them to keep workers employed. Each nonprofit donation was equal to the fee the bank earned for processing and funding each organization’s PPP loan, rounded up to the nearest $25 increment.

“We know that, even in the best of times, raising funds in the effort to assist others can be a difficult task. With the economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 virus, we wanted to help by putting all fees earned on not-for-profit PPP loans back into the hands of those organizations to be used for the betterment of our communities,” said Blume.

Through the years CFB has been recognized in a number of ways, not only for being a community leader, but also for making a lasting impact on the community. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce named CFB among the Best Places to Work in Indiana for eight consecutive years. The bank was also named Indiana’s Small Business Lender of the Year for 2022 by the Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation and honored with the Indiana Bankers Association C2C (Commitment to Community) award for outstanding community service performed in 2020 during the pandemic.

“Our CFB family could not be more grateful for the support we have received from so many since our inception 20 years ago,” Blume said. “What began as a group of 16 employees, 14 outside directors and approximately 275 shareholders has now grown to encompass three counties, eight locations, more than 120 employees, and thousands of consumer and commercial customers. We continue to wake up every day with a mission to continue honoring that initial promise.”

For more info, visit CFBindiana.com. Member FDIC