Investing in Hope: Faith & Action Project Awards $125,000 to Seven Community-Led Solutions 

 

Christian Theological Seminary believes that poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing our community—but it is also one we can address together. 

Now celebrating ten years, the Faith & Action Project Grant Program invests in evidence-based, collaborative, and scalable initiatives already making a measurable impact in the Indianapolis community. It prioritizes faith and community partners addressing the complex realities of poverty through holistic solutions that promote long-term stability and well-being for individuals and families. 

Launched in 2015, the Faith & Action Project was created with the recognition that extraordinary work is already underway across our community—and that its impact grows when it is connected, amplified, and accelerated. 

Rather than funding isolated programs, the Faith & Action Project invests in a portfolio of collaborative solutions that strengthen the systems, relationships, and opportunities people need to thrive. Together, these organizations are expanding opportunity, strengthening stability, and building skills that help individuals and families flourish. 

This year, the Faith & Action Grants Program is proud to invest $125,000 in seven organizations whose work reflects both compassion and proven impact. Marking the tenth year of the grants program, this milestone reflects CTS’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community-driven solutions to poverty. 

“These organizations are demonstrating effective, relational approaches that lead to long-term transformation,” said Faith & Action Program Director Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch. “We are excited to highlight their best practices because they can be learned from, replicated, and scaled to increase positive outcomes for more youth, individuals, and families across our community and beyond.” 

Together, these investments support initiatives that expand opportunity, strengthen stability, and build the relationships and skills that help individuals and families thrive. 

The 2026 Faith & Action Grant recipients demonstrate the many ways faith-inspired organizations and community partners are working to reduce poverty and strengthen communities across Central Indiana. Although each organization serves a distinct population and need, their work aligns around four broad areas of impact: building opportunity for youth, strengthening housing stability and support, promoting healing and mental well-being, and strengthening families and communities. Together, these grants reflect the Faith & Action Project’s commitment to investing in collaborative solutions that foster belonging, resilience, and long-term community flourishing. The following profiles highlight each of this year’s grantees and the projects supported through the 2026 Faith & Action Grants Program. 

Building Opportunity for Youth 

DREAM Alive — $20,000
DREAM Alive empowers students attending Indianapolis Public Schools to discover their purpose, prepare for meaningful careers, and build lasting relationships with caring mentors. Beginning in sixth grade and continuing through high school graduation, students receive academic support, career exploration, and consistent mentorship that helps them envision a brighter future. 

This investment expands DREAM Alive’s reach across every IPS middle school, strengthens access to career exploration experiences through transportation support, and ensures students facing food insecurity receive consistent after-school meals and snacks. Through deep partnerships with schools, churches, universities, and community organizations, young people are surrounded by caring adults who open doors to opportunity and long-term economic mobility. 

Elevate Indianapolis — $20,000
Guided by the belief that “No one gets there alone,” Elevate Indianapolis pairs students with long-term Teacher-Mentors who walk alongside them through middle and high school. These relationships provide steady support through academic, social, and emotional development during formative years. 

This investment supports the creation of a welcoming “third space” where students can gather, build relationships, and experience belonging beyond home and school. A youth-designed mural will further shape the space as one defined by student voice, identity, and shared ownership—transforming environment into connection. 

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church — $20,000
Through its expansion of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® program, St. Luke’s is increasing access to six weeks of literacy-rich, relationship-centered learning for elementary students. The program blends academic enrichment with social-emotional development and family engagement, creating a holistic approach to early learning. 

This investment helps ensure more children experience a safe, supportive environment where literacy growth is paired with confidence-building relationships and a deeper sense of belonging—foundations that support long-term educational success. 

Strengthening Stability Through Housing and Support 

Outreach, Inc. — $20,000
Outreach, Inc. serves young people experiencing homelessness by meeting immediate needs while supporting long-term stability. Its Near Eastside drop-in center provides meals, showers, laundry, computers, case management, and a consistent community of care grounded in dignity and trust. 

This investment strengthens housing navigation, diversion, and triage services so more young people can secure stable housing before homelessness becomes chronic. By pairing practical support with individualized care, Outreach helps youth move from crisis toward stability. 

Healing, Belonging, and Mental Well-Being 

We Bloom — $20,000
We Bloom creates safe recovery spaces for individuals to heal, grow, and build community, recognizing that recovery and stability are deeply rooted in belonging and connection. 

This investment supports a trauma-informed recovery community at Recovery Café Indy, including a queer-affirming group, where participants can reduce isolation, process trauma, and rebuild social connection. At its core, this work strengthens the members mental health and well-being and builds relationships that make long-term healing possible. 

Indiana Youth Group (IYG) — $15,000
Indiana Youth Group provides affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can find safety, support, and community amid significant barriers such as family rejection, housing instability, and limited access to resources. 

This investment expands mental health counseling and case management services, helping young people navigate complex systems while strengthening emotional well-being and social connectedness. Through consistent, individualized support, youth are better able to build resilience and avoid pathways that too often lead to long-term instability. 

Strengthening Families and Communities 

Tu Refugio Seguro — $10,000
Tu Refugio Seguro supports Spanish-speaking women and families impacted by domestic violence through culturally responsive care and pathways toward healing and economic stability. The organization addresses critical gaps for individuals navigating language, cultural, and systemic barriers. 

This investment expands trauma-informed leadership training across six congregations, equipping faith leaders and volunteers to recognize and respond to domestic violence and connect individuals to support. By strengthening trusted community networks, this work extends care far beyond a single organization and helps interrupt cycles of violence and instability. 

This year’s grant recipients reflect not only what works theoretically, but what is working in practice across our community. In lifting up these models, the Project seeks to strengthen a broader ecosystem of practice—one in which effective approaches are shared, adapted, and sustained across organizations and communities working toward the same goals. 

Together, these investments reflect a shared commitment to communities where hope is strengthened, opportunity is expanded, and individuals and families are supported on pathways toward lasting stability. The Faith & Action Project is honored to partner with these organizations in that work. 

 Mark your calendars! The Faith & Action Project will continue highlighting innovative responses to poverty at its Faith & Action Fall Event on October 27, featuring a moderated conversation with New York Times bestselling author and youth advocate Jason Reynolds. The event will explore expanding opportunity, resilience, and the role of relationships in helping young people thrive. Watch cts.edu/events for more information!