ICAN is a phenomenal organization with a dedicated staff whose passion shines through in every…read moreinteraction--with volunteers, clients, and, most importantly, the dogs. As Indiana's only accredited service dog training program, ICAN upholds incredibly high standards, exceeding even national benchmarks. As a volunteer, donor, and corporate sponsor, I've felt truly appreciated at every level. But ICAN shouldn't be a hidden gem in our community--it deserves the spotlight! If you're looking to make a difference, consider getting involved as a volunteer, donor (every contribution helps!), or corporate partner. Your support changes lives--both human and canine.

About once a year, my office is gifted by our leadership with a visit from the Indiana Canine…read moreAssistant Network. Today, was that day. The Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization that offers accredited service dog training and Indiana placement. This provides safety, friendship, and independence for children, veterans, and adults with disabilities and veterans with service-related trauma specific to PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. As an adult with a disability myself, I'm a paraplegic/double amputee and wheelchair user, I've long contemplated the idea of a service dog but have never felt like my needs rise to the level justifying it. ICAN utilizes three correctional facilities in Indiana and works with the inmates to train dogs. This includes Indiana Women's Prison, Pendleton, and one other one that completely escapes me right now. It costs $25,000 to fully train a service dog, however, ICAN charges the recipient only $2,500. For veterans, it's slightly different - There is no placement fee for veterans placed with a service dog that is assisting with symptoms of PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual assault. If the veteran needs a service dog for mobility as opposed to PTSD, MST, or TBI, the costs and programs may differ. There are multiple ways to volunteer for ICAN and multiple ways to support the organization. This information is available on their website. According to their most recent available numbers, they currently have 110 service dogs active, 58 dogs in training, 61 applicants awaiting a service dog, and an estimated 230 dogs have been placed since 2002. I also learned that they follow the dogs while they're active. In fact, it's possible to lose a service dog for reasons like not utilizing them for their intended purpose and/or not caring for them appropriately. It is very rare, but it has happened. They also have some dogs that will qualify for different settings - for example, a dog may not be appropriate for a home setting but could be a facility dog. Amazing work for an amazing Indiana non-profit.

I never realized this Goodwill was here, it's in a quiet strip mall off Michigan…read more Clean, quiet and organized. Staff was very sincere

My mom, my daughter, and her son went with me to this Goodwill. We decided to try the Goodwill date…read morenight thing that we had read about on the internet where you go to the Goodwill and pick out each others clothes and then you go out. My daughter picked out my mother's clothes, I picked out her clothes, I picked out her son's clothes, and my daughter picked out mine. It was a bit crazy because the dressing rooms in the Central Indiana Goodwill stores are still closed because of covid. We found a way around that, we found a full-length mirror that was for sale and we set it up on a couch that was for sale and just tried on all of the clothes over our clothes. We had a blast and some of the things we picked out for each other we wouldn't wear but it was crazy trying them all on and we laughed so hard. So we picked out all of our clothes and went in the restroom at Goodwill and put them on and we went to lunch! In our "new" clothes! Actually a couple items were new with tags so that was a bonus. We also picked out shoes. This was an absolutely fun day out and with four generations of family together we could not have had a better time. My mother is 80 so every chance we get we go do something and now we can check this one off the list. It was a pretty nice Goodwill and we found a lot of nice clothes and my daughter even took home a Halston jacket to wear to work. The cashier was friendly and the staff didn't bother us at all as we tried everything on in the aisles and by the couch!

Dotted Line Divas was started by an incredible woman who, while going through a hard time a few…read moreyears ago, spent every Saturday driving to local pantries to collect items for her family. She quickly realized that most food pantries had almost no personal hygiene or home items necessary to sustain a family. She redirected her attention to couponing and became incredibly good at it. She now uses her extreme couponing skills to serve 100+ families each month. She opened a personal care pantry that offers the following: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care items, diapers, wipes, toilet paper, home cleaning supplies, detergent, deodorant, books and more. This pantry is located in the new Mercy Road church off of 96th and Michigan Road and is open for "pantry day" every third Saturday of the month from 10am-12pm. Families can register beforehand or show up and fill out paperwork. Volunteers will then call a family up, take them through the pantry and ask if there's anything our team can be praying for. If there are extra items in the pantry from 12pm-1pm, people who need it can pay $1 or $2 to snag additional items. There needs to be ideally 20 volunteers to make this nonprofit possible every third Saturday. Bonus points if you can speak Spanish or Burmese. Please sign up on their website sign up link before showing up to volunteer so they know you're coming. If you have a few extra hours, it'll mean the world to the families and you'll meet incredibly kind people that you'll feel honored to help! Everyone is so kind and sweet. I even learned a ton of Spanish thanks to the patient people who taught me while we shopped!

The founder is so passionate about her project that you can't help but get swept away…read more Truthfully this is a worthwhile project. There are so many food banks, but those do not supply any kind of hygiene articles: the shampoos, soaps, sanitary napkins, toilet paper, detergents, toothpaste, diapers... those type of things are just as necessary for your health as food. Dotted Line Divas steps in here and tries to supply at least some of the most needed items. Of course they are dependent on our assistance. So consider donating your time or money or goods to this worthwhile cause. Keep in mind that sanitary napkins, tampons and diapers are the most needed items.

I'm all about visiting the Habitat ReStore stores lately. I feel like I found a secret that's been…read morehidden in plain sight. This is a thrift store with curated items and has some of the best vintage goods you'll find at some of the best prices. I went to the Zionsville location looking for dinner plates and side tables. I was very close to pulling the trigger on some vintage ceramic plates, but decided to keep looking at the last minute. The friendly woman behind the counter said that the merchandise changes very frequently, so I should check back soon. This store has lots of home goods, including frames, flatware, furniture, decorations, mirrors, rugs and light fixtures. There is also a small supply of raw items like kitchen sinks, doors, cabinets and other materials. The prices are very good, but just a tick higher than some of the other Habitat ReStores that I've visited in the Indy area. Still, I'll be back soon to see what new goodies have come in!

Whether you're looking for reasonably priced antiques and vintage items or trying to furnish your…read morefirst apartment, ReStore has it all. You can find some pretty nice stuff there and all the money goes to help others in need. The store is staffed mostly by volunteers. They are welcoming and sometimes even entertaining. The store is stocked with furniture, kitchen ware, art, garden ware, some appliances and misc building supplies. Merchandise is clean and well organized. Today, I found a beautiful set of four signed Hitchcock chairs in great condition. I left behind an awesome set of mid century dishes that were amazing. The stock turns over fairly quickly. We also make regular donations. As other reviewers have noted, sometimes the donation process is a little slow if they are short of volunteers. They are closed Sunday and Monday, but opened at 10 a.m. other days.

Very very good services. Wonderful bedside manner and you can see the passion and care Missionary…read moreVolunteer Services put into their work for the community. They will thoroughly meet your needs. I'd give 6 stars if I could.

From the owner: We specialize in community care, including outreach to the less fortunate, meals and care for the…read morehomeless, holistic, practical home health care support and personal care, and so much more. Our trained and Certified staff put forth their best faith efforts to meet and exceed your expectations.