{"id":2291,"date":"2025-08-21T15:19:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T15:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stand.org\/indiana\/?p=2291"},"modified":"2025-08-21T15:20:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T15:20:46","slug":"together-we-thrive-a-vision-rooted-in-real-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stand.org\/indiana\/our-stories\/together-we-thrive-a-vision-rooted-in-real-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Together We Thrive \u2014 A Vision Rooted in Real Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last night, I stood in front of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) with a mix of pride and urgency. Alongside other parents, students, and educators, I helped release Together We Thrive<\/em> \u2014 a shared vision for student success<\/a> in our city. It\u2019s not just a document. It\u2019s a reflection of lived experiences, hard truths, and real hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a father of two autistic boys who attend Matchbook School #63. Their school has worked hard to support them, and I\u2019ve seen teachers show up with heart and commitment. But I\u2019ve also had to make school choices based on transportation \u2014 not what\u2019s best for my kids \u2014 because I don\u2019t have a license. That\u2019s the kind of barrier this vision aims to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this group first came together, I felt something I hadn\u2019t felt in a long time: hope. Hope that we could finally move past the tension between school types and focus on what really matters \u2014 our children. We\u2019ve seen the gaps in opportunity. We\u2019ve lived the challenges. But we\u2019ve also seen the good \u2014 schools where students thrive, communities that care deeply, and educators who go above and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together We Thrive<\/em><\/a> is about building on that good. It\u2019s about creating a city where every child \u2014 no matter their background, ability, or school \u2014 has the opportunity to succeed. It\u2019s not about picking winners and losers. It\u2019s about building something better, together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t already, I invite you to read the vision<\/a> and add your name to the petition<\/a> in support of it. Even if you\u2019ve already signed, share it with someone who hasn\u2019t. Every voice matters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n