Teach Indy, Teachers’ Treasures, and The Mind Trust, in partnership with the 2022 College Football Playoff- Indy Host Committee, are asking for volunteer support to assemble kits

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (December 2, 2020) – Four local organizations will be taking action to support Indianapolis teachers and students with supplies as schools return to full-time eLearning. Teach Indy, Teachers’ Treasures and The Mind Trust, in partnership with the 2022 Indy College Football Playoff Host Committee, will assemble and distribute 15,000 eLearning kits for Indianapolis students and 250 care packages for teachers.

“As Indianapolis schools return to full-time eLearning, teachers and students need support with supplies that would normally be available in classrooms. Teachers are working hard to plan eLearning assignments, and Teach Indy and The Mind Trust are proud to support the effort to give their students what they need to succeed. We are so thankful for teachers and want to show our appreciation,” said Sara Marshall, Senior Director of Talent at The Mind Trust. The Mind Trust, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), and the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation are the three main initiative partners of Teach Indy, which works to recruit, reward, and retain Indianapolis teachers.

The eLearning student homework kits will contain items like paper, pencils, children’s scissors, crayons, and more to help students complete assignments without the need for families to buy extra supplies. Homework kits will be distributed to students at The Mind Trust’s Community Learning Sites and will be available for teachers at the Teachers’ Treasures 10th Street Store and Northwest Middle School Satellite Store. Additionally, 250 kits will be given to first- and second-year teachers with Teach for America, TNTP Indianapolis Teaching Fellows, and Relay Teaching Residents.

“By assembling and distributing over 15,000 kits for kids most in need, our amazing community can see the results of their support,” said Margaret Sheehan, Executive Director of Teachers’ Treasures. “We all want to lift these kids up and be a part of their learning success. Having our long time partner, Crystal Catering, offering up their event space to allow us to assemble these kits is so great! This is a positive endeavor for so many!”

Volunteers are needed to help assemble kits from December 7 through December 10 at The Crane Bay Event Center, located in downtown Indianapolis at 551 W. Merrill Street. Volunteers can sign-up for a shift at this link. All volunteers must wear a mask and will be provided with gloves. Shifts will be limited to 20 volunteers and will follow social distancing guidelines.

“The 2022 Indy College Football Playoff host committee is proud to partner with The Mind Trust, Teachers’ Treasures and Teach Indy to support the tireless efforts of teachers to provide engaging and quality education for their students,” said Susan Baughman, President of the 2022 Indy College Football Playoff host committee. “We continue to be energized by the passion of teachers and also the committed efforts of those parents and individuals helping with at-home learning.”

About Teach Indy

Teach Indy is a partnership among Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), the Office of Education Innovation, and The Mind Trust designed to bring and retain outstanding teachers to Indianapolis. Teach Indy seeks to elevate the work and lives of Indianapolis teachers by holding networking events, connecting teachers with their best-fit schools, and fostering teacher appreciation throughout the city, often in partnership with other local organizations. To learn more, visit teachindynow.org and follow Teach Indy (@TeachIndyNow) on social media.

About Teachers’ Treasures

Teachers’ Treasures is an Indianapolis-based not-for-profit organization that helps at-risk children get the materials they need to succeed in school by providing teachers with donated educational supplies for use by their students in the classroom. Approximately 5,150 teachers participate in the program selecting supplies monthly from the free store. Founded in 2000, the organization now serves more than 270 schools throughout the Greater Indianapolis area, and affects the lives of 100,000 plus students annually.

About 2022 College Football Playoff - Indy Host Committee

The 2022 College Football Playoff - Indy Host Committee works with the College Football Playoff national office to promote, organize and execute the 2022 CFP National Championship and related events. The Indy Host Committee works in coordination with the College Football Playoff Foundation to support. Extra Yard for Teachers which is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development.