Gaelin Elmore, a former Cincinnati Bengals player and a national advocate for youth, will speak in Indianapolis this October about the critical need for belonging, drawing from his own experience as a foster child.
The free public workshops, titled “The Power of Belonging,” are hosted by the nonprofit Damar and will be held at the Damar Village Activity Center on Oct. 20 on the city’s southwest side. Two sessions are scheduled, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Damar, which has operated for more than 55 years, provides services for individuals with developmental, intellectual and behavioral challenges and runs a foster care program.
Elmore’s advocacy is rooted in his personal history. His path was altered when a high school coach became his legal guardian after his father was incarcerated. He now works to help organizations become “belonging-informed” to help children overcome trauma.
“Belonging is the key to unlocking untold potential in our families, youth, communities and even ourselves,” Elmore said. “Unfortunately, some youth wake up every day in survival mode, fighting for their very existence.”
The event comes as Damar addresses a growing need for foster care in Indiana, particularly for older children.
“Indiana is seeing an increase in children, especially older children with extensive trauma histories, in need of foster care than ever before,” Executive Vice President of Community Based Services and Supports at Damar Adrienne Reed said. “Teens especially need help finding community, learning life skills and just observing good relationship models.”
Elmore played college football for the University of Minnesota and East Carolina University.
While the event is free, registration is required and can be completed at damar.org/belonging. The Damar Village Activity Center is located at 6055 Remarkable Way.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on social media @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
