OrthoIndy Foundation is celebrating over $10 million in grants to organizations throughout the state who make a significant impact in the health, mobility and overall well-being of individuals and their communities. These are some of their stories.
Since 1987, Greater Indy Habitat has leveraged community partnerships to make an impact in people’s lives and build stronger communities, together. An investment in Greater Indy Habitat is an investment in your community, increasing the opportunities for affordable housing. Since 2014, Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity has had the privilege of partnering with the OrthoIndy Foundation serving several Veterans helping them secure safe, decent, affordable housing. In 2019, with the generous support of OrthoIndy Foundation, army veteran Whitney Hamilton became a first-time homeowner. Whitney’s journey to homeownership was not easy, though.
After returning to the states from his service in South Korea in the mid-1970s, Whitney earned an automotive technology degree and worked at Allison Transmission for 14 years. However, his life with addiction caught up to him, and he found himself on the streets. Over the years he went through various rehab programs and was able to find the services and support he needed through HVAF. Through running with Back on My Feet, Whitney discovered the sense of accomplishment he needed to drive toward other goals for his life, including homeownership.
“Nobody in my family was a homeowner and I always knew, even while I was in the street, that it was something that I desired to have,” said Hamilton. “I thank God every day because I didn’t think that I would be living the life that I am today.”
In 2018, Whitney applied to Habitat’s homeownership program and was approved. He completed hundreds of hours of sweat equity, including financial literacy classes and homeownership education to prepare him for the responsibilities of homeownership. In 2019, he worked alongside hundreds of volunteers from OrthoIndy to build his first home. Since then, he has referred a number of his veteran friends and peers to Habitat’s program and they also have achieved their dream of homeownership. Whitney is now retired and enjoys working on cars, participating in races and marathons, and spending time with his seven grandkids.
Stephen Craig, Director of Corporate Engagement says, “With ten years of financial and volunteer support, the OrthoIndy Foundation has transformed the lives of hundreds of greater Indianapolis families through first-time homeownership with Habitat for Humanity. Thousands of OrthoIndy employees worked alongside nine families as they built their first home, creating generational change and jumpstarting the life-long benefits like improved health, education, and wealth-building.”
The OrthoIndy Foundation
In December of 2012, OrthoIndy established and funded the OrthoIndy Foundation, whose Mission Statement reads as follows:
The mission of the OIF is to improve mobility and function, specifically for the residents of Central Indiana –with a particular emphasis on veterans and the elderly– by benefiting the end users to increase self-sufficiency, promote wellness, and improve the quality of life for those affected by orthopedic issues.
Since it’s founding, OrthoIndy Foundation has been there for hundreds of people. Learn more about the foundation here, and learn how you can contribute and become a volunteer by clicking here. You can read more of our success stories here.
