Charlotte Schmidlapp Trust Awards $25,000 Grant to HealthNet

1/1/2007

INDIANAPOLIS—Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Trust, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee has awarded a $25,000 grant to HealthNet, Inc. and $30,000 to Wheeler Mission Ministries.

For 40 years, HealthNet has been a mainstay in the Indianapolis community. Through its network of five community-based health centers, one OB/GYN and pediatrics care center, and six school-based clinics, HealthNet annually serves over 40,000 individuals and families. Many of them are uninsured or underinsured and live below the federal poverty level.

For nearly 20 years, HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) has helped homeless persons in Marion County reach a level of independence consistent with their goals and capabilities for health and well-being. HIP serves more than 3,200 people each year with housing, health care, street outreach, case management and employment services.

“This grant will not only provide funds to empower homeless women towards self-sufficiency, but the expected positive results will help HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program demonstrate to the community why funding for supportive services is so important in moving women from homelessness into employment and housing,” said Sharon Stark, Director, Homeless Initiative Program.

The $30,000 grant to Wheeler Mission Ministries will be used to support Wheeler’s Higher Ground Program, an addiction recovery program for homeless women. Founded in 1893, Wheeler Mission Ministries is the oldest continuously operating ministry of its kind in the state of Indiana. Wheeler is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to homeless, poor, and needy of Central Indiana without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or religion. Wheeler is not a church, but does cooperate with many different churches that are concerned about poverty and homelessness in the inner city.

This grant will really boost our efforts with our Higher Ground Program,” said Rick Alvis, President & CEO, Wheeler Mission Ministries. “The program includes comprehensive services beyond the recovery curriculum, which will focus on furthering education, developing job skills, and training in financial matters.  A two-year after-care program is also in place to help the women continue in sobriety and bring stability in the new life situations they have developed.”

“This grant addresses the important needs of our community,” said John Pelizzari, President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana.  “We are proud to continue the legacy of the Schmidlapp trust by supporting the meaningful and important work of both HealthNet and Wheeler Mission Ministries.”

CONTACT: 

Natalie Guzman, 317.383.2372 

Kay Johnson, 317.781.4989