The Assistance League dresses the kids of Indy all year long
As social workers in Washington Township SchoolsLaura Hakim and Audrie Conner are used to seeing some of their students in ratty shoes and slightly smaller coats.
It’s hard to watch them go through that, they said.
But a few times a year they see those students overjoyed to bring home new coats, “cool” pairs of shoes, and plenty of socks and underwear to keep them comfortable.
“They’re so excited,” Conner said. “They get the duffel bags, or they have shoes, and they’re excited.”
In their roles, Hakim and Conner work to connect families and students with resources based on their needs.
A strong connection they maintain in both facilitating and helping those most in need is with Operation School Bell, run by the Indianapolis Assistance League. The program helps provide new clothing and athletic shoes to economically disadvantaged children through its three divisions.
“So kids can put on those new shoes or those pants or shirts, and they can go to the gym or to recess and their shoes don’t fall apart or they’re not too small,” Conner, who works at Fox Hill Elementary, said. “It just takes away one less thing for the child to worry about.”
For needy families in Washington Township schools, the Assistance League takes a burden off by providing clothing and shoes for their children during the school year at no cost to them.
That sense of relief extends to the teachers and staff who see them every day, Conner said.
“Anything that boosts their confidence and helps them feel good about themselves while they’re going to school definitely helps them focus more or just be more involved and active in their classroom environment,” Hakim said.
The Assistance League, which began in 1984, has helped more than 200,000 children through its clothing and footwear divisions since its inception. The operation helps children in the Indianapolis Public Schools and schools in Pike, Warren, Washington and Lawrence Townships.
Their goal is to outfit 3,000 kids this year, said Sharon Gleason, the league’s president.
“The main emphasis of this program is that we want to see them succeed in school,” Gleason said.
In addition to Operation School Bell, the nonprofit organization has three philanthropic programs. The Assault Survivor Kits program provides underwear and a change of clothes to people experiencing trauma.
The program serves 13 different agencies.
“They walk into a situation and often their clothing is saved for forensic analysis,” Gleason said. “These are clothes they can go out in so they don’t have to walk out of that hospital or clinic in a hospital gown. They would have a tracksuit, underwear and socks.
The league has more than 175 members, mainly retired teachers and educators, Gleason said.
But they always welcome new members, especially since the organization is volunteer-based with no paid or salaried employees.
At the league’s new distribution center in Northbrook, where they keep inventory for pack-up and delivery, there are rows of uniform jerseys and pants, packages of underwear and socks and a box full of toothbrushes.
Volunteers review the inventory with a sheet completed by a child’s family, which includes size and color preferences.
The center, near West 86th Street and Ditch Road, represents how the league hopes to grow and serve more people, Gleason said.
However, the rent is no longer discounted or free like the previous locations, so they are affected financially.
“It’s fantastic, it’s bright, it’s clean, but we’re having a hard time,” Gleason said. “We don’t want to have to cut back on the services we provide to the community. We don’t want to cut our programs, but unless we find additional sources of revenue and fundraising, that’s a real possibility.”
What is the mission of your organization?
Assistance League volunteers who transform the lives of children and adults through community programs. Gleason said he believes the league’s true mission is “to help people in their most vulnerable moments.”
How many people do you serve?
In the 2022-23 school year, the league served 2,600 children through the Operation School Bell apparel division. They plan to serve an additional 275 children in January. Through its shoe division, the league has served some 2,000 students from IPS and the municipality.
The league’s assault survivor team program serves 13 different agencies. They have delivered 761 kits and an additional 983 underwear this year.
What is your organization’s number 1 need?
The organization needs more donations to offset their distribution center rental costs and volunteers to join them.
How can people get involved?
Go to the league website, alindy.org, to make a donation or volunteer. The league hosts coffee parties for new members several times a year. the league Mission Possible Fundraiser will be held at the Eiteljorg Museum on April 22.
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The shared mission of IndyStar’s Our Children initiative and the annual Season for Sharing campaign is to harness the power of journalism to make a difference in the lives of the youth of Central Indiana. We invite you to join us by making a financial contribution.
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust will match donations dollar for dollar, up to $25,000. All charitable donations are tax deductible.
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Go to indystar.com/ocdonate to give online. If you prefer to send a check, please mail it to: Central Indiana Community Foundation, Attn: Our Children, 615 N. Alabama St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204. You can also donate by texting the word “SHARING” to 80888.
About the Indianapolis Assistance League
Mailing Address: 1475 W. 86th St., Ste. E Indianapolis, IN 46260-2185
Website: https://www.alindy.org/
Rachel Fradette is a general assignment reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at rfradette@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter at @Rachel_Fradette.