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Inspirations of Hamilton County, Inc., a grassroots, inter-faith-based 501(c)(3) was founded on November 1, 2004 by Linda Crissman a survivor of a 21 year abusive marriage. Inspirations was founded based on her personal experiences in trying to break free.
Inspirations began serving its first clients in December of 2004, and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in February of 2005. Inspirations has served over 250 families in its first two years of existence. Five clients have graduated from the program and are independently supporting themselves and their families. Inspirations' client roster presently includes thirty families who use Inspirations' services on a weekly basis.
Inspirations started as a clothing boutique and a place for its clients to obtain living essentials such as hygiene items, household paper products, consumable baby items, and cosmetics for work. As the program grew, its mission became focused on the education and employment needs of the victims and their children. While Inspirations still provides professional clothing and essential items, these services occur within the context of helping clients obtain and retain employment. Inspirations goes beyond providing material items clients need to survive, and addresses their underlying need to regain the self-confidence and professional competence that will allow them to succeed on their own.
Inspirations serves clients from all socio-economic levels who are underemployed or unemployed. Although sixty-three percent of Inspirations' clients come from middle- and upper-class families, social and financial constraints often prevent these women from reporting abuse or leaving their abusers. While they may be well-educated, many have not been substantially employed for some time and have no skills to re-enter the workforce. They may not know how to access public assistance and other social service programs, such as WorkOne. Low-income families face different but equally challenging hurdles, including multi-generational welfare, limited education, and inferior housing. Both of these groups share the need for a safe way to free themselves and their children from the influence of domestic violence or sexual abuse. To do this they must become financially self-sufficent.
In 2007 Inspirations partnered with the Central Indiana Regional Workforce Board and the Fishers WorkOne Express Office, becoming the first Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Shared Network Access Point. Clients are able to apply for unemployment, register for WorkOne services, and access internet services of WorkOne from the privacy and security of Inspirations' Employment Lab. In 2008, clients will be able to register for Medicaid, TANF, and food stamps. Clients are also able to access GED services from the Employment Lab.