September Newsletter -

11th Annual Tackling Homelessness is a Success!

On Monday, September 14th, Horizon House held its annual Tackling Homelessness event at the Colts Training Facility. Four hundred guests were in attendance. For the third year, Joe & Jill Reitz hosted the event. Jimmy ‘Mad Dog’ Matis emceed and The Hunter Smith Band performed. Featured speaker was former Board Member and neighbor, LuWanna Jennings who inspired everyone with her courageous story.

Colts players D’Joun Smith, Phillip Dorsett, Hugh Thornton, Jack Doyle, Ulrick John, Denzelle Good and Josh Robinson signed autographs and posed for photos. In addition, Colts Offensive Line including Anthony Castonzo, Jack Mewhort, Todd Herremans & Khaled Holmes participated in a Chalk Talk segment hosted by Joe.

Results are still coming in but so far Horizon House has grossed over $172,000 which is the most the event has generated over its eleven year run.

We could not conduct this event without assistance from volunteers, the Tackling Homelessness Committee, Tackling Homelessness Leadership Team – Loretta Smith, Sharon Reed & Sharon Wood, Board Members, employees and in kind donations.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

Citizens Energy Group

Fusion Alliance, Inc.

Jason & Erin Zoch

KPMG, LLP

Stonegate Mortgage

Union Savings Bank

Woodforest National Bank

Table Sponsors:

Alan Bisler Honda Manufacturing of Indiana

Barnes & Thornburg, LLP Indianapolis Colts

Buckingham Companies Jeff & Loretta Smith

Connection Pointe Christian Church Joe & Sandra Slaughter

David & Lillie Golay KAR Auction Services

Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP Netech

Dr. David & Anna Mandelbaum RCR Technology Corporation

Dr. Scott & Maureen Sheehan RealAmerica Development

Eskenazi Health The National Bank of Indianapolis

Hokanson Companies, Inc. Wildflowers Salon

Fundraiser at Tow Yard Brewing to

Benefit Horizon House.

Elnora’s Story on United Way kickoff.

Ch. 13 Andrea Morehead with Elnora Taylor.

Every year United Way of Central Indiana works with local TV stations to feature a personal story of how a UWCI agency helped someone in Central Indiana find self-sufficiency. This year Horizon House was featured through a story about Elnora Taylor. Andrea Morehead of Ch. 13 news, personally conducted the interview with Elnora at Horizon House and at Rosewood Village where Elnora works as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in the memory care unit.

Elnora moved to Indy, found work but lost it. When we first met Elnora, she was living in her car. She attended our Job Readiness Training Class with her dream being to become a CNA. It was not an immediate process. Elnora had a learning disability that prevented her from succeeding on written exams. Recognizing this, Elnora was offered verbal testing and passed. Now she is doing what she loves most – caring for others.

Please CLICK Here to see Elnora’s Story.

Horizon House is in need of the following items to serve neighbors with respect & dignity:

New men’s & women’s underwear sizes S – XXL
Travel size shampoo
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Men’s jeans
Men’s shirts XXL & larger
Rain ponchos

If you are able to donate any of these items, please bring to Horizon House at 1033 E. Washington St. Monday thru Friday 7am to 5pm. Please go to the entrance off of Southeastern Ave. If doors are locked, please knock.

We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity on behalf of our neighbors.

Please consider a donation to Horizon House for all the homeless neighbors we help overcome their homelessness.