INDIANA – Today, the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute is proud to announce the creation of the Community Action Policy Fellows program, which the Herbert Simon Family Foundation generously funds.
The Institute will support two individuals interested in addressing basic needs and environmental justice concerns through policy change. For the ten-month paid fellowship, these individuals will be mentored by Institute staff and network partners, gaining hands-on experience in research and policy advocacy.
“We are so excited to grow our capacity at the Institute by adding more individuals with community experience to develop and advocate for policies close to their heart and home. Establishing this policy fellows program furthers the Institute’s commitment to research and advocacy in partnership with individuals and communities experiencing financial instability. We hope that fellow graduates feel empowered in their capacity to civically engage and create change within Indiana even as they help the Institute build a more equitable and community-driven portfolio of policy ideas,” said Erin Macey, Director at the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute.
In 2022-23, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation supported the development of the Institute’s report: Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Indiana. This new investment furthers their commitment to systemic change that supports financial stability.
“The findings of the Overlooked and Undercounted report reveal that financial challenges are far more prevalent than poverty statistics indicate and that there are significant inequities in terms of who struggles. This fellowship program will provide deeper insight and begin the work of changing systems and power structures so that every Hoosier can meet their basic needs and live in safe environments. We are thrilled to support this unique approach to developing community leadership toward lasting change,” said Rachel M. Simon, the President of the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.
Interested applicants can review the fellowship details here. Applications are due May 13th, 2024, and the fellowships will run from early June through March 2025.
