Our Stories

Our Stories

Too many Indiana kids cannot read. This bill can help.

Mar 2, 202303 min read
Too many Indiana kids cannot read. This bill can help.
I support House Bill 1558. Because I am a reader and my children are readers and even my grandchildren are readers. I did not initially think Indiana was facing a literacy crisis. But then I began to volunteer with my church. And in asking elementary through middle school students in my Sunday school class to […]

Our juvenile system is meant to be rehabilitative

Feb 27, 202303 min read
Our juvenile system is meant to be rehabilitative
I appreciate Representative McNamara for authoring House Bill 1493. Below is my personal story and reason I believe HB 1493 is a great step in the right direction for our youth justice system. I would have never imagined the stress of having a child go through the criminal justice system before experiencing it. A few […]

I am pursuing my dreams because of the 21st Century Scholarship program

Feb 23, 202301 min read
I am pursuing my dreams because of the 21st Century Scholarship program
Growing up, I never thought I would be able to attend college because of our financial struggle. Now, as a senior at IUPUI, I am still amazed I am doing it and know that I am pursuing my dreams because of the 21st Century Scholarship program and the teacher who told me about it in […]

Costs and fees don’t teach kids that they have a future

Feb 14, 202302 min read
Costs and fees don’t teach kids that they have a future
As someone who has experienced our youth justice system, I want to share my story –that explains why I support House Bill 1493 and why I spoke at the statehouse to offer my support for this bill. In the 7th grade, I was pulled out of my classroom by the police because of unpaid costs […]

Statement: Stand for Children Indiana appreciates delayed IPS vote

Jan 28, 202301 min read
Statement: Stand for Children Indiana appreciates delayed IPS vote
Justin Ohlemiller, Stand for Children Indiana Executive Director, released the following statement today regarding the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) Board of School Commissioners delaying the vote on the proposed operating referendum: “Advocates and parents affiliated with Stand for Children Indiana appreciate the decision by IPS Superintendent Dr. Johnson and the board of commissioners to delay […]

Join me in fighting for a better funding plan for our IPS schools

Jan 19, 202301 min read
Join me in fighting for a better funding plan for our IPS schools
The IPS board is moving fast on a plan to fund the district’s strategic plan, which impacts all of our children and our neighborhoods. The big concern: some schools and children are being unfairly treated in the plan. The referendum, which would use my tax dollars and yours, would short-change some schools in the IPS […]