Understanding context while still believing in growth and accountability Over time, I have come to believe that supporting people well requires more than addressing a single problem; it requires stepping back to see the whole picture. In my work with youth, I often shared a phrase with them: “Explanation is not justification.” Understanding the context behind someone’s actions helps us make sense of what is happening, but it does not remove accountability. Growth happens when

How New Shoe Day Is Building a Shoe Secure Indiana We were at one of our early shoe events, handing out brand-new pairs of athletic shoes to kids in the community. One young person sat down, opened the box, looked inside, and then looked up at us and said, "I've never gotten a pair of shoes in a box before." That sentence reframed everything. We were not just giving away shoes. We were stepping into a space where something as fundamental as a new pair of shoes in a box was a

When I made the decision to relocate to Indianapolis in the summer of 2021, I arrived with a mix of focused determination and an eager, open curiosity about what the city held for me. It was the quintessential fresh start. Much like countless others who arrive in a new landscape, my immediate, primary focus was directed toward establishing and building my professional career and, perhaps more abstractly, discovering where I truly fit within this new community. I threw myself

Day by day, I see the term “community” used in various ways; some loose, some more exacting, some a bit myopic, some a bit more intentional. At its most basic level, community is a group of people connected by shared place, identity, experience, or purpose. I imagine there was a time when community literally meant your neighborhood, your street, or your block, but in 2026, that isn’t the case. Even in these shared spaces and shared ideologies, there’s nuance. The monolithic n

Success for women has too often been defined by impossible standards – balancing careers, families, and personal dreams without missing a beat. The pressure to be everything to everyone can feel relentless. In a world that often tells women to “do it all,” InspireHER Collective offers a powerful alternative: a trusted circle where ambition and authenticity can sit at the same table. Launched in 2024 by Colleen Hungerford and Cheryl Medeiros, InspireHER is an all-women’s ma

Inside the Life in Indy initiative: how local women are opening doors, sharing stories, and helping others call this region home. Indianapolis is a city of momentum. The Indy region is a place of opportunity—ranked among America’s Best Places to Start a Career, a Best Food City, and one of the Hottest Housing Markets in the country. It’s a place where careers take off, ideas are nurtured, and communities welcome you in. But beyond the numbers and accolades, what makes this