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Project Good: Zionsville residents serve at Outreach

CIZ COM 0711 Project Good Outreach 2

With the table spread with good things to eat, Anthony Dumas, far left, serves as the manager of the Drop-In Center and offers a prayer before the meal. Pat Ellis, second from the left, after finishing cooking can now enjoy the time with the youth clients.

Commentary by Brad Thompson

Outreach is a faith-based nonprofit organization on E. New York Street in Indianapolis that reaches out to homeless young men and women (ages 14-24).  Every week, nearly 100 youth walk through their Drop-In Center, where they can hang out in a safe environment, enjoy a hot meal, use laundry and shower facilities, access the food and clothing pantries, look for jobs online in the computer lab and discover healthy Christ-centered relationships with Outreach staff and volunteers.

Pat Ellis of Zionsville once a month helps to prepare breakfast for that Drop-In Center. She arrives a little after 9 a.m. and works with a team of other volunteers preparing egg casserole and other such dishes. Most of the volunteers take one or two such sessions for a couple of hours each month to help out. In addition to hospitality, some volunteers supply office-based support for the other services Outreach offers.

Staff and volunteers build a trusting relationship with the youth. Together they work through struggles, develop a life plan, and search out vocational training and educational programs. (Photos by Brad Thompson)

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