Over the past few months, Indy Warrior Partnership has been fully immersed in the Indy Veteran community, forging alliances at every opportunity! Here at IWP, we are hard chargers, and we want to get to know every veteran in our community in order to execute our organization’s mission with precision!

Momentum has been building over last month as our newest Outreach Specialist has started to assimilate in the veteran community here in Indy. Her mission: make connections, drink copious amounts of coffee, and remind our Hoosier warriors that IWP has their six. IWP has loved participating in conversational events this month, including the “Coffee with a Vet” group, “Two is Better than One” events, and at Schoolhouse 7 with Indy Vet to Vet.

IWP joined forces with the veterans of Eli Lilly to assemble care packages for those in need this Veteran's Day. While it was too icy outside to host their annual Lilly Army/Navy Flag Football Game, Eli Lilly moved the event inside serving lunch to their staff and honoring their veteran employees. Local community resources were brought in to assist veterans, veteran family members and caregivers and provide support.

At Indy Warrior Partnership (IWP), we believe that veterans and their families deserve strong support and real connection. Blue Star Families helps military families across the country, while we help veterans right here in Central Indiana; that’s why our partnership with Blue Star Families (BSF) means so much to us, as well as the community we serve. Together, we make sure veterans and their loved ones feel welcome, supported, and empowered.

Earlier this August, leaders and advocates from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 12th Annual Warrior Symposium, hosted by America’s Warrior Partnership. Held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together a powerful mix of voices committed to improving the lives of veterans, and Indy Warrior Partnership (IWP) was proud to be among them.

Kirby Gray, a native of Indianapolis, dedicated 27 years to the U.S. Army and National Guard. He began his service in 1978 as a tanker and went on to master artillery, heavy and light vehicle mechanics, and mechanized infantry.