Wheeler Mission celebrates 130 years with new fund
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Indianapolis-based Wheeler Mission is celebrating 130 years by announcing the establishment of a new fund and the organization’s largest largest single, non-estate donation in its history.
The Rick and Julie Alvis Legacy Fund’s namesakes are longtime and significant supporters of Wheeler’s mission. Rick Alvis spent 32 years in the ministry, including serving as president and CEO.
The charity estimated over 5 million meals were served and over 3 million nights of shelter were provided during his tenure.
The announcement of the fund was made during the not-for-profit’s anniversary celebration last week.
“Tonight is not only about celebrating Wheeler Mission’s 130th anniversary, and its legacy of serving the most vulnerable in Indianapolis, but it’s also about honoring two faithful servants,” 130th anniversary emcee Bill Stanczykiewicz. said “Rick and Julie leaned into each other and their faith in Christ to not only steward this great organization but also strengthen it.”
The fund received a pledge of $1 million and another $400,000 in committed funds. Wheeler said it wants to reach $2.5 million by the end of the year.
The Wheeler Mission serves the homeless community in Indianapolis and Bloomington. This year, it has served over 9,000 people with over 309,000 meals and 188,000 nights of shelter. It has nine locations, a $22 million budget and over 200 employees.
“Wheeler Mission has been part of the makeup of Indianapolis for 130 years,” CEO Perry Hines, who was named to the job last year, said in a news release. “We led our homeless brothers and sisters through a great depression, two world wars, the civil rights movement, and countless other seismic shifts in our world, country and community. Our commitment to our mission has never wavered and we have a strong future ahead of us.”
The organization provides a variety of services, including residential and addiction recovery programs and a social enterprise program that offers job skills and leadership training.