Week 8 Action Steps

1. BECOME A MENTOR IN THE JOBS FOR LIFE PROGRAM

   On February 2, 2021, UniteIndy is starting a class with a group of parolees who have decided to settle within Marion or one of the surrounding counties. They will work to help the parolees defeat the curse of poverty for them and their families. Obtaining a good job is the biggest deterrent to returning to incarceration. To aid them in their job search, UNITE INDY has developed SecondChanceIndy.com, the first and only job site that connects those with a criminal record to employers willing to give a second chance. Volunteers are needed to mentor ("Champion") each reentrant as he or she takes the Jobs for Life (JfL) course. St. Luke's member Bob Dillingham is a trainer for this program. 

2. LEARN ABOUT THE SCOURGE OF PAYDAY LENDING AND WRITE TO YOUR LEGISLATORS

   The Indiana Payday Coalition met in December to hear reports from those working to limit the damaging effects of high interest loans on so many in Indiana. The Coalition will push this year for legislation to overturn the rent-a-bank rule, to extend the Military Lending Act to everyone in the country providing credit at 36% or less, and to form a rapid response team to act in the Indiana Statehouse in a timely and powerful way. 

3. ASK INDIANA LAWMAKERS NOT TO OVERTURN GOV. HOLCOMB’S VETO OF EVICTION BILL SEA 148

   With a long COVID-19 winter settling in, the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition urges citizens to reach out to Indiana's state legislators NOW to connect and tell them why it's important not to overturn Governor Holcomb's veto of eviction bill SEA 148 next session. We can't afford a surprise veto override that would expand evictions and homelessness in the New Year. 

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