Justin Wedges - Case Manager/Resource Coordinator
Started at Outreach in August 2010
Who I am - Justin Wedges graduated from Crossroads Bible College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Before joining the staff of Outreach, Inc. he was an Assistant Graduation Coach at the Herron High School, and he served as an Assistant Teacher at a private Academy and as Physical Education Teacher. Justin has a strong background in youth counseling and brings to his position a passion to serve kids and their families. He and his wife Teresa have two children. Justin enjoys many hobbies including reading, fishing, and soccer and in all things seeks to love others
What have you learned that you hadn’t expected in the last few weeks? “I really, genuinely like talking to community members who care about our unique youth population. Much more so than I had expected to.”
What I do - I work alongside young people, helping them with housing, employment, social services, education, finances, and whatever else is necessary. Additionally, I work at building relationships with our kids, providing them with additional emotional and spiritual support as necessary. In the process, hopefully, they get to see a glimmer of the love of Christ.
Favorite Scripture - Revelation 5
My Church Home - New City Church
Favorite Book - I have too many to zero in on one favorite, but a great read, ”Till We Have Faces” by C.S. Lewis
Favorite Food - smoked meat!
Luke Mertes - Case Manager/Resource Coordinator
Started At Outreach - October 2009
What I do - As a Case Manager, I have the awesome privilege of offering holistic social and spiritual services in the name of Jesus Christ to our male clients. I seek to approach this task with humility, excellence and leadership directed toward empowerment. As a Resource Coordinator, I also serve Outreach by building partnerships with local businesses, churches and other social service organizations in order to ensure that Outreach consistently offers the most cutting-edge services to its clients.
Why I Serve - 2 Corinthians 4:11-12
My Church Home - College Park Church
Rob Pallikan - GOAL Case Manager
Started at Outreach in March 2005
What I do - My work is to come along side students of Indianapolis Public Schools that are homeless. I build relationships with them, & help them to become stable & earn their high school diploma. This encompasses tutoring, life skills training, job hunting, transportation, food provision, housing assistance, college visits etc.
Why I serve - James 1:27 states that true religion is to help widows & orphans. As a follower of Christ I help those in need, who have been abandoned. This scripture inspires me to act out my faith in truth & sincerity.
My Church Home - The Dwelling Place
Katie Johnson - G.O.A.L. Case Manager
Started at Outreach - September 2009
What I Do - I go to various high schools throughout Indianapolis and weekly meet with girls who are not living at home. I walk with them, dream with them, learn from them, and help them accomplish their goals.
What Inspires Me - 1 John 4:12
My Church Home: First Free Methodist
Kristin Fuller - Street Outreach Worker
Started at Outreach - May 2009
What I Do - As a Street Outreach Worker Kristin spend her days walking the streets of Indianapolis forming new relationships with homeless youth and connecting them to the resources available through Outreach Inc. When she's not on the streets, Kristin provides introductory case management services for incoming female clients. Kristin also networks with other community workers and co-manages the street volunteer teams.
Why I Serve - Hosea 6:1-3
My Home Church - Indy Alliance
Name: Erica Dorsey
Title: Female Case Manager
Why are you here? I am here at Outreach, most foundationally, to build relationships with the youth I come into contact with. Specifically, I am here to be used as an advocate and a voice, helping the youth meet their most basic needs of life, while encouraging the need for community and creative ways to love and serve one another.
When did you start? August 2010
Scriptural reference: Isaiah 45: 2,3
Church: First Free Methodist
Favorite Book: "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoffer
Favorite meal: "Sadly, I could probably eat raisin bran every day of my life."
Nehemiah Greenwood - Case Manager/Resource Coordinator
Started at Outreach - March 2011
What I Do - As the Resource Coordinator I maintain/build partnerships with local businesses, churches and other social service organizations in order to give our participants an opportunity for holistic life change.
Why I Serve - Mehemiah 8:10
Church Home - First Bible Church
Favorite Book - The Bible
Favorite Food - Dill Pickles
Jenny Mullins - GOAL Case Manager
Started at Outreach in June 2011
What I do - As a GOAL Case Manager, Jenny partners with local high schools to identify and work with youth that are homeless. She is an added support and advocate for youth that face challenging situations. Her primary desire is to establish a relationship with youth that enables them to graduate high school and become invested in the course of their future despite temporary circumstances and hardships.
Favorite Scripture - A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
My Church Home - Indy Alliance
Favorite Book - The Ragamuffin Gospel
Favorite Food - Dad's meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Jackie Newton - In-House Case Manager
Started at Outreach in October 2011
What I do - I work directly with young girls who have shown interest in Outreach and a readiness to change. I have the privilege of walking through life with each of these women, sharing in their concerns and in their celebrations. We work on tangible goals such as secondary education, employment, budgeting, maternal or health care, and safe housing.
More importantly, through relationship, we work on matters of the heart—approached with the compassion of Christ. A large part of the work done here at Outreach is offering a word of hope, prayer, or simply spending time together. It is within these trusted relationships and the transformative work of Jesus that the youth can begin to face the violence and heartache of their own stories and walk towards a path of grace, peace, and healing.
Favorite Scripture - "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him"
My Church Home - Traders Point Christian Church
Favorite Book - So many! Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution was one that helped shape the course of my life.
Favorite Food - Pita and Hummus is basically my lunch every day of the week!