Our credit union is excited to announce the recipients of our 2021 Elements Cares Grants. We are committed to donating 1% of our net income annually to non-profit organizations that support our corporate “Pillars of Giving.” Overall, these values are focused on personal and family self-sufficiency and include:
- Homelessness & Housing
- Youth Development
- Healthy Lifestyles
After reviewing 24 requests in partnership with the Central Indiana Community Foundation, a diverse group of credit union employees selected 7 deserving organizations to receive funds supporting meaningful projects focused on advancing our Pillars of Giving. Watch our social media channels for photos of our staff delivering checks to each winner soon!
Explore our 2021 Elements Cares Grant recipients:
Anna's Celebration of Life Foundation
We are pleased to provide Anna's Celebration of Life Foundation with a gift of $5,000 to benefit Hoosier children with special needs. This gift will provide adaptive trikes for kids in central Indiana who are unable to ride traditional bikes. This foundation impacts nearly 100 children annually with gifts that involve medical necessity, safety, and communication. Their organization is proud to step in and support families when insurance won't cover costs and the amounts are beyond the financial reach of the family.
Learn more about Anna’s Celebration of Life Foundation
Groundwork Indy
Our gift of $8,300 to Groundwork Indy will allow the organization to employ Indianapolis youth to work on community-based projects. Their group is focused on changing places and changing lives by tackling projects that equitably enhance environmental, economic, and social well-being. Their youth programs, which primarily engage low-income black youth, are committed to providing a structured work environment that builds resilience and emphasizes job-preparedness training.
Learn more about Groundwork Indy
Indianapolis Youth Leadership Academy
We are excited to support the Indianapolis Youth Leadership Academy with a $3,500 grant funding a tuition-free five-day learning experience for local teens. Students are accepted from the Indianapolis metropolitan area and the focus of instruction is specific ways these teens can lead teams with differing levels of ability and motivation. The group focuses on developing strong character and ethics through mentorship and education by volunteer instructors.
Learn more about the Indianapolis Youth Leadership Academy
Little Red Door Cancer Agency
Our grant to the Little Red Door Cancer Agency of $5,000 will support the opening of the “Little Free Store” at their downtown headquarters. This new program provides their clients a safe space to pick up complimentary nonperishable healthy foods for their families each week. This store seeks to improve clients’ overall diet and eating practices, helping improve the outcomes of their cancer treatment programs. The Little Free Store is being offered in partnership with Second Helpings, Gleaner’s, and Indy VegFest.
Learn more about Little Red Door Cancer Agency
Damar Services
Because of a $5,000 grant from Elements, Damar will be empowered to build a playground for children with autism at its Avon-based Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy center. The organization will construct two new state-of-the-art playground areas with autism appropriate equipment. Damar serves more than 50 families who will have the opportunity to enjoy these new outdoor recreational areas. Damar’s autism services are accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, achieving the industry’s highest clinical and administrative standards.
Learn more about Damar Services
Resources of Hope
We are excited to fund the entire 2022 “Teen Connect” program at a cost of $11,200 for Resources of Hope. This non-profit is dedicated to meeting the needs of foster children and foster families in Indiana. Teen Connect is a monthly collaboration of foster youth and adult volunteers meeting together for fun, personal advancement activities, and education. Foster youth are at higher risk for addiction, poverty, domestic violence, mental health issues, and teen pregnancy, so the organization looks to provide positive adult role models and resources to overcome these potential challenges.
Learn more about Resources of Hope
School on Wheels
With the goal of expanding into more schools and intensifying engagement, our gift of $12,000 will support School on Wheels’ Student Success Volunteer Support program. This grant supports the infrastructure to recruit, train, and place new and diverse volunteers who will provide tutoring and academic support services to students of all ages impacted by homelessness. The organization’s staff of educators and social workers are supported by 400+ volunteer tutors who provide programs at more than 20 school and shelter locations each week.
Altogether, Elements is proud to award $50,000 to these well-respected organizations to make the community where our headquarters is based better!
