Child Advocates 
The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, presented Child Advocates with a $100,000 grant on to support capacity expansion of the Undoing Racism Workshop in Central Indiana.
In 2010, Child Advocates began a partnership with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond to begin addressing the disproportionate percentage of African American children in the Marion County Foster System.
“As we advocate for a safe and permanent home for children, we are committed to examining our own implicit biases and examining race and racism in the institutions that affect our families. We are working with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and taking intentional steps to undo racism on behalf of the children and youth that we serve. Child Advocates is very appreciative of the support from The Indianapolis Foundation, allowing us all to work together towards Undoing Racism in our community” said Cindy Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Child Advocates.
The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, was one of the first community foundations in the United States. Funding from the Indianapolis Foundation serves the unique needs of individual communities. Outcomes for this grant to Child Advocates will allow:
• Increased participation in Undoing Racism Workshops
• Increased amount of trainers for Undoing Racism in Central Indiana
• Evaluation and reporting of changes in participants attitudes and community
The Undoing Racism Workshop was originally developed by the People’s Institute of Survival and Beyond. Through the Undoing Racism training and community workshops, The People’s Institute helps individuals, communities, organizations and institutions move beyond addressing the symptoms of racism to undoing the causes of racism so as to create a more just and equitable society.
Thanks to this partnership between Child Advocates and the Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate, Undoing Racism Workshops will continue to be available in the Central Indiana area, generating better outcomes for children and communities.
Child Advocates recruits and trains CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers speak up for the best interests of these children in court and in their community to ensure that each child has the opportunity to thrive by receiving needed services and assistance while helping to move the child toward a safe and permanent home. Last year, Child Advocates provided this support to help more than 9,000 children.
About the Indianapolis Foundation:
The Indianapolis Foundation was founded in 1916 as one of the first community foundations in the country, its purpose was to improve the quality of life in Marion County by providing help where the needs were the greatest and the benefits were most extensive. Today, it continues that work as one of two affiliates of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF).
About the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond: The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB) is a national and international collective of anti-racist, multicultural community organizers and educators dedicated to building an effective movement for social transformation. Founded in 1980, The People’s Institute has impacted the lives of nearly 500,000 people both nationally and internationally. It is recognized as one of the foremost anti-racism training and organizing institutions in the nation.
I would very much like to participate in an Undoing Racism Workshop. I’ve been on the list before, but have been unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, but my schedule is more open now. I’ve been exploring and learning about racism for several years, and I feel called to become more active about “undoing racism.” Could you please advise how I can get on the list to participate in an upcoming session?
Karen – you need to contact nikita@childadvocates.net for a list of dates! Thank You.
Karen, I attended last fall, and have also been feeling that call to do more! Have you read Deep Denial by David Billings? I’m reading it now and though certainly not a substitute for the workshop, it does cover quite a bit of the same info as the workshop.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Wendy! Our workshops are offered monthly now. You can contact nikita@childadvocates.net for dates and pricing information! Thanks!