| Last updated on July 20, 2007 |
Dayspring Center, Inc. provides emergency shelter for homeless families. The mission of Dayspring is to lovingly meet the basic needs of homeless families seeking assistance and connects them with opportunities to help them realize their potential. Dayspring Center also operates Wellspring Cottage, a transitional housing program.
Description:
Dayspring Center was founded in 1986 to provide emergency shelter, clothing and three meals each day for homeless families with children in central Indiana. Homelessness shows no prejudice and can happen to all types of people from all walks of life. Some of our residents are here to escape domestic abuse, occasionally a family comes to our door after losing everything they own in a fire, others have simply been caught in a series of unfortunate events that have caused them to lose their homes and their dignity.
Currently, we have 53 residents, 17 adults and 36 children staying at the shelter. The shelter not only provides a warm bed and three meals a day but a chance for families to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness and work toward the goal of securing a permanent home. Dayspring is one of a handful of organizations in Marion County serving the emergency shelter needs of the entire family.
The understanding and support offered to homeless families at Dayspring Center is combined with rules and guidelines so that those coming to us for help are given the ability to help themselves. Through a unique 45-day program, families are given much more than the bare necessities. Job training, employment opportunities and family counseling are also part of the plan. At Dayspring Center our goal is to give homeless families the tools and strength to become independently housed. Many of the families who have stayed with us are able to stabilize their lives due to the efforts of our staff, volunteers, and generous contributors.
We also operate a transitional housing facility called Wellspring Cottage. Opened in 1998, this facility provides housing not only to former Dayspring residents but also to any family leaving an area homeless shelter and starting out on the path of independence. Residents can participate in this program for up to two years. We continue to work with residents to ensure they remain employed, reduce their debt and continue to obtain job and life skills training. Realizing that many recently homeless individuals are one paycheck, one illness or one accident away from losing their home, residents contribute program fees and pay utilities according to their abilities. This facility has 12 one and two bedroom apartments where families can find transitional housing for up to 2 years. There are currently 12 families at the facility; 19 children and 14 adults.
Dayspring Center makes a difference one family at a time. Please help us help those families in need. The best way to do that is to simply remember us. Remember us in your thoughts and prayers. Remember us when you plan where you are going to volunteer your time. Remember us when you are going to make a donation to a worthy cause. Remember us, because there is no more worthy cause than giving someone hope; the hope that things will be better for them and their children.
History:
Dayspring Center was created when an Episcopal priest allowed homeless persons sleep on the pews in his church to shelter them from the cold. In 1989 the shelter was created and a decision was made to provide assistance to families. In 1998, Wellspring Cottage was purchased to provide a transitional housing program for former homeless shelter residents. At Wellspring, families can live for up to two years to work on longer term goals (education, debt reduction, etc.)
Contact person: Michelle Jackson, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (317) 635-6788
Address:
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PO Box 44105
Indianapolis, IN 46244-0105 |
Web Site: http://www.dayspringindy.org
Directions:
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Dayspring is located at the corner of 16th and Central, just south of All Saints Episcopal Church. Dayspring is accessed from an alley east of the church.
Nearest Bus Stop: 17, 1 minute walk |
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