As the saying goes, “when it rains, it pours.” During some recent precipitation, the rain was running from the ceiling into Ann's living room. She had to periodically empty a thirty-three gallon can to combat the onslaught of water. It was definitely not a recipe for a good night's sleep! Today Ann can sleep peacefully through the night, regardless of the weather. NeighborLink Indianapolis recently completed installation of a new roof on her home. This was made possible thro

Sometimes big challenges can be overcome with a simple solution. Betty found that out recently, thanks to NeighborLink Indianapolis. Betty, age 80, is a homeowner of 55 years. Despite knee problems and arthritis in her hands, she gets around fairly well and lives independently. However, getting in and out of her vintage clawfoot bathtub was becoming difficult. The danger of falling was very real. Betty explored the option of removing and replacing her tub with a walk-in.

They are a vibrant couple. Joe and Lil are aging, but they act forever young. They have no intention of leaving their home of 52 years. It is at the heart of their identity as a couple. Their modest two-story home sits behind a fence bordered by a hedgerow of Rose of Sharon. Lil notes, with pride, that her auntie gave her the flower 45 years ago. A ring of hostas surrounds their porch. A huge canna lily is off to one side. Recently, their flat roof has been causing problems,

At 89 years young, Dillie P. says that she takes each day as it comes. She has lived in her home for 24 years and intends to stay there. As she strives to maintain her independence, she has benefited from assistance from NeighborLink Indianapolis on various projects, including the installation of a new railing on her steps, cleanup of her yard, HVAC replacement, and other accessibility projects. Dillie worked as a caregiver for more than 30 years until retiring in 2019. Unfor

Can you imagine living in the same home for more than 50 years? Ms. Maime is 90 years old and has called the same house home for the last 56 years. She can't imagine being relocated anywhere. To go out from this world and into the next from the comfort of her familiar bedroom surrounded by the community she has known and loved for more than half a century is a perfect example of why it's so important to support our neighbors in need with aging in place. A ging in place is the

We love it when a community comes together to support a long-time neighbor! Eastern Star Church's Care Committee paired up with the Arlington Woods Neighborhood Association to serve Mr. Willie Parker. Mr. Parker, originally from Macon, GA has called Indianapolis home for the last 25 years. His home is the home of his fondest memories of watching his children grow up. It has served as his safe space where he finds peace. His favorite thing about his neighborhood are the abunda

In March of 2021, Marian University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program began to sketch out an opportunity for students to work with individuals. Participating in NeighborLink Indianapolis’ in-home client assessments proved to be a perfect match. We partnered with a classmate and NeighborLink Indianapolis Director of Client Services, Tom Miller, for home visits. In these face-to-face meetings with clients we were able to hear their stories and gain a bigger picture of the

Leonard Banks has the most amazing stories. He has recorded music with John Mellenkamp (who he says is a very nice guy), stumbled upon technological marvels in unexpected places (I’m sworn to secrecy on this one), and has worked as a contractor here in Indy for over 30 years. Leonard has many remarkable stories, but one of the most remarkable is of the first time he saw his house. He grew up in the neighborhood he lives in now and remembers the house being built. “I rode by o

Recent studies have shown your zip code can impact your life expectancy, both positively and negatively. Known as social determinants of health, Eskenazi Health recognizes where you live, learn and worship can significantly affect your health and quality of life. For more than 160 years, Eskenazi Health has continued to find and support new ways to address social determinants of health affecting the patients and communities Eskenazi Health serves. Food as medicine Nearly 200

NeighborLink Indianapolis works hard to connect with each of the homeowners we work with to truly understand their needed repairs and situation for aging in place safely. The homeowners we work with are typically among the lowest income in our community and their standard of living often surprises some of our volunteers who are pretty far removed from anyone who would qualify as “low-income.” Last year, we partnered with Marian University’s School of Social Work to provide an

On the surface what NeighborLink Indianapolis does for homeowners is pretty simple. We provide home repairs for individuals who financially or physically can not complete them. This can look like a replaced set of outdoor steps with a handrail or cleaned up and repaired gutters around their home. It’s a nice visual and has a clear use for the homeowner. But what of the bigger picture, the bigger impact. Let me share a story of a homeowner we recently helped. Deloris has lived

By Wes Trapp & Eric McMillion At NeighborLink, our mission is clear, help individuals with disabilities and senior homeowners in-need age-in-place safely and with dignity. When we get a chance to partner with an organization that shares the same passion in helping among some of the most vulnerable in our communities, we take it. In 2021 NeighborLink partnered with Indiana Construction Roundtable (ICR) for their BY Plus Training Program . ICR provides a successful BY program t

Fifty years in a neighborhood is a pretty substantial amount of time. For Ms. Wanda Ward, also known as “Grandma” it’s been her home, her community, and the hub of her family for decades. Though Grandma has oodles of grandkids, she’s known throughout the neighborhood by that moniker. “I helped rear almost all the children in our neighborhood. They would come to my house and play while their families were at work, explained Ms. Ward. “Everybody just started calling me Grandma.

Many of our homeowners have had inspiring stories of buying their homes or inheriting their homes and it being a huge part of their family and lives. Not so much for Mr. Jodi Davis—Jodi stumbled into homeownership after his mom owned the home. Initially it was more of a heavy weight, especially after a life of travel and plenty of adventure. But, after thirty some-odd years of being at this house, it is officially home. Home means a space where privacy, security and safety ar

Our costs have shifted with our updated ways of covering the needs in our community, with that, we’ve noticed three big areas where funding

Today is a day full of gratitude. We give thanks for every person that has contributed in some way to our mission of helping homeowners age in place safely and with dignity. Frequently we hear from homeowners we’ve been able to help and we’d like to share three of those notes of thanks with you. Ms. Willa is a sweet homeowner in her eighties who shares her home of 48 years with her grandson, his wife, their little baby and an adopted daughter. For the last two years the fami

In September a local church, Eastern Star Church and their Care Committee, and the Arlington Woods Neighborhood Association came together to help an elderly neighbor, Mr. Willie Parker. Originally from Macon, Georgia, Mr. Parker has lived in his Indianapolis home for the last 25 years. Built in 1946, the home does show its age and well-worn life. It’s this home that has seen his children grow up. It is this home that serves as Mr. Parker’s safe space where he can feel at peac

BOO! Home Repair Doesn’t Have to be Scary encouraged volunteers, both seasoned and new, to provide home repairs

Tom Smith and his wife Kim have lived happily for 35 years in a sturdy older home built around 1915 in the neighborhood where Tom grew up. In fact, his childhood home where he moved as a five-year-old, is just across the street. Their present home had been owned by Tom’s father as a rental property, before the Smiths decided to purchase it and raise their own children there. Their neighborhood, Bean Creek just east of Garfield Park, is one with longtime family connections. T

Dave Withey, founder of NeighborLink Indianapolis, was honored with the prestigious Golden Hoosier Award September 15, 2021. The Golden Hoosier Award has been awarded to Hoosiers who are being recognized for a lifetime of community service and commitment to serving others. The award ceremony was hosted by Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch The Division of Aging, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Indiana History Center AARP Indiana. Dave was one of 21 recipients and w