OUTREACH, INC

By: Stephanie Franco Holtzlander
BleekeDillonCrandall Attorneys

Did you know that hundreds of youth age 14-24 live on the streets of greater Indianapolis as a result of abuse, neglect, family crisis and poverty? Almost invisible to society, many of our city’s teens and young adults often slip through the cracks of our social system and into a world of desperation. They turn to drugs, crime or prostitution to get food, shelter and clothing. They need someone who cares.

OUTREACH, INC. reaches out to help homeless and runaway youth find a safer and more stable life. Every week OUTREACH, INC street teams search for youth in abandoned buildings, parks, wooded areas and under bridges to offer practical assistance like food, clothing, bottled water and first aid. OUTREACH, INC’s staff listens to each story and builds the trust necessary to bring change to their lives. Their 24/7 crisis hotline allows street youth to call any time with their deepest pain, often enabling ministry to those contemplating suicide.

I would like to invite you to a special benefit concert. OUTREACH, INC, along with Bobby Hayden and Friends, is presenting a Christmas Concert “No Room at the Inn” on Friday, December 16, 2011 to benefit the organization and assist with their continuing efforts to provide hope for homeless youth. The concert will be held at The Fountains in Carmel and is hosted by North Park Community Church.

I know there are so many worthy and deserving charities that you all selflessly support; however, this effort is particularly compelling and inspiring to me. Bobby Hayden is my uncle and he once was homeless. Uncle Bobby was born in Evansville, Indiana and had an accomplished childhood show business career across the country. (See 8-year-old Bobby perform Bye, Bye Blackbird on Ted Mack and the Original Amateur Hour Show http://youtu.be/VBDEAN_5qEY) Bobby moved to Los Angeles in 1979 and became a fixture on the local circuit. Uncle Bobby is a gifted vocalist and his high-energy guitar ability captured audiences across the country. He toured and performed with Quiet Riot, Mountain, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer and Molly Hatchet. You can search “Bobby Hayden” on www.youtube.com for more videos.

Sadly, Bobby experienced some very dark times and our family lost him to the streets. A career “hiatus” turned into eight years of drug addiction and homelessness. Bobby lived in a cardboard box and truly was one of the lost and desperate souls that had fallen through the cracks of our society. Today, through the power of rehabilitation and salvation, Bobby is living in his own home and teaches music to students and young artists, including our 8-year-old daughter, Marya. He is also sharing his story and working to empower our city’s homeless teens and young adults to exit street life.

Please join my family and me on December 16th at 7:00 p.m. for the “No Room at the Inn” concert featuring my Uncle Bobby Hayden and his musical friends. Our daughter, Marya, will also perform. Tickets are $10. If you cannot attend, please go to www.outreachindiana.org to make a donation. Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. My email is stephanie@bleekedilloncrandall.com.

Thank you for your time and support. Stephanie.