For individuals facing homelessness in Marion County, securing stable housing often starts with securing a job. Horizon House’s RISE Employment Program provides that crucial bridge, empowering participants toward independence and housing stability.
RISE — Reaching for Independence and Self-Sufficiency through Employment — connects adults experiencing homelessness, whether living outdoors or in emergency shelters and enrolled with Horizon House, with vital employment resources.
The program tackles key barriers to workforce entry, offering personalized job readiness support.
Participants receive tailored assistance, including resume building, interview coaching and guidance throughout the job search and application process.
Recognizing transportation as a significant hurdle, Horizon House provides IndyGo bus passes to help clients attend interviews and orientations and reach job sites.
“We’ve got the tools — come let us help you,” said Dawn Moore, Employment Coordinator for RISE at Horizon House.
The initiative’s strength lies in powerful community partnerships. Organizations like Fastenal, Merchants Bank of Indianapolis, HVAF, Goodwill, Interstate Business Solutions and Alsco Uniforms contribute through direct hiring opportunities, job fairs and on-the-job training for RISE participants.
The results demonstrate a significant impact.
In 2024, the program successfully placed 159 individuals into jobs. As of May 2025, an additional 75 jobs have been secured, putting RISE on track to exceed last year’s achievements.
RISE exemplifies how targeted employment support can be the first step out of homelessness. It moves beyond providing just a paycheck, fostering long-term stability and self-sufficiency for Indianapolis residents in need.
Individuals seeking information about the RISE Employment Program or wishing to support Horizon House’s mission can visit horizonhouse.cc or call 317-423-8909.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. 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.
