Satellite center for youth experiencing homelessness one of a plan for many, across Indianapolis

An Indianapolis social services organization opened a new satellite center to help youth experiencing homelessness. The center is the third site from Outreach, a group that serves youth experiencing homelessness. It will have showers, washing machines, counselors and food.

Mary Voigt, Outreach Communications Manager, said the goal is to have satellites all over the city, so youth experiencing homelessness don't have to travel more than 15 minutes to access services.

“Especially for youth, transportation is a huge barrier for them,” Voigt said. “We know they may not have access to the car. They may not be near a local bus stop, and if they are, may not have access to bus passes – to be able to get here.”

Voigt says Outreach, Inc. has a relationship with Lawrence Township schools. This new site will be just more than one mile away from Lawrence Central High School.

Outreach works with people between the ages of 14 and 24. Voigt said every youth it serves has a different story, but she underlined most of those stories include history with the foster care system.

“In 2022 we saw a total of 767 youths. Of those, 86% had a history of foster care,” she said. “So we know that is a huge factor that plays into the role. Again, not all of them may have aged out, but there is that history there.”

The new site, located in the Lawrence United Methodist Church, is open on Thursdays between 4 and 7 p.m.