Stay Connected & Donate Today!

As we welcome the year ahead, we wish you continued health, renewed energy, and many moments of joy. Thank you for your partnership and the meaningful ways you support our shared work. Here’s to a bright, successful, and fulfilling year ahead.

Your donation enables Flanner House to provide educational, social, and economic resources that foster stabilization and self-sufficiency. Your tax-deductible gift directly impacts lives. Donate today!

Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Brandon D. Cosby
Season of Strength: Reflecting on 2025, Stepping into 2026

As we welcome 2026, we pause to reflect on a year defined by resilience, progress, and community care. In 2025, Flanner House continued a 127-year tradition of standing alongside our neighbors—because of you.

Your generosity, trust, and partnership transformed lives. Behind every outcome is a story: a family finding stability, a young adult stepping into opportunity, a neighbor reminded they are not alone. This work has never been about charity; it has always been about partnership and shared responsibility.

We are especially grateful for the Efroymson Family Fund, whose early investment in Flanner Farms helped grow our Food Justice ecosystem, including Cleo’s Bodega, workforce pathways, and SNAP Relief. Their continued support in 2025 strengthened families through holiday and grocery assistance.

Because you walked beside us in 2025, together we:

• Supported more than 2,500 neighbors through food access, education, wellness, and senior services
• Expanded Skills to Success for young adults facing significant barriers
• Provided 5,000+ hours of clinical therapy and wraparound support
• Distributed over $50,000 in groceries during times of sudden need

As we step into 2026, we remain guided by a simple truth: strength is something we build together. Every act of generosity carries our community forward. Thank you for being part of Flanner House’s Season of Strength.

Save the Dates – 2026

Golf Outing

Monday, August 3, 2026

Spend a meaningful summer day on the greens while supporting community impact! Join Flanner House on Monday, August 3, 2026, for our annual Golf Outing at Country Club Hills Golf Course. Enjoy great company, friendly competition, and a beautiful course—all for a powerful cause.

A portion of proceeds benefits the Joyce Johnson Memorial Scholarship, honoring a woman whose life’s work centered on education, service, and clearing pathways for others to succeed.

128th Anniversary Gala

Friday, October 9

Join Flanner House as we celebrate 128 years of impact, resilience, and community at our Anniversary Gala. This unforgettable evening will honor the individuals whose dedication and hard work drive lasting change across Indianapolis.

Don’t miss a night of inspiration, connection, and celebration as we reflect on our shared legacy and invest together in the future we are building—one life at a time.

Commit Now for 2026

Thank you to our 2025 sponsors for helping make the Flanner House 127th Anniversary Gala – Deep Roots. Bright Future. – a tremendous success.

We’re already preparing for our 128th Anniversary celebration in 2026 and invite you to confirm your early sponsorship commitment.

Sponsors who complete the form by February 15, 2026 will be featured in our early Q1 announcements and event marketing materials.

If you’ve supported Flanner House in the past but were unable to join us in 2025, we’d love to welcome you back!

Join us today and help us continue growing a brighter future together.

Celebrating Dr. Cosby’s 10-Year Anniversary

Congratulations Dr. Cosby!

Dr. Brandon D. Cosby has led Flanner House through a period of bold growth, innovation, and renewed commitment to community-centered impact. His leadership has honored the organization’s legacy while courageously expanding what is possible for the families and neighborhoods we serve.

Under Dr. Cosby’s guidance, Flanner House launched its first urban farm—laying the foundation for a comprehensive food justice ecosystem. That vision came to life with the opening of Cleo’s Café & Bodega, increasing access to healthy food while creating workforce pathways and economic opportunity. His leadership also supported the growth of cultural and intellectual space through Ujamaa Community Bookstore, a hub for literacy, dialogue, and community connection.

Most recently, Dr. Cosby championed the opening of the Morningstar Wellness Center, advancing holistic health and wellness for families through integrated, compassionate care.

Dr. Cosby leads with integrity, strategy, and heart—bringing together staff, partners, and supporters around a shared vision rooted in dignity and possibility. His ability to translate mission into measurable impact continues to strengthen Flanner House as a trusted anchor institution.

We are deeply grateful for his leadership, vision, and unwavering belief in community power.

From the Desk of the Director of Food Justice

Candace Boyd-Simmons

Flanner House is proud to partner with the Diabetes Impact Project – Indianapolis Neighborhoods (DIP-IN), an initiative focused on improving quality of life for people living with diabetes through reduced complications, increased awareness and early screening, and strengthened community leadership.

Through civic engagement and supportive environments, DIP-IN advances healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. As our partnership comes to a close, we invite you to hear a message from our Community Health Worker, Marche Sherlock:

A Message from Marche Sherlock

My name is Marche Sherlock, and I am a Community Health Worker. I have been living with diabetes since I was nine years old.

The Diabetes Impact Project came into my life at the perfect time. About a year before joining DIP-IN, I had already begun taking better care of my diabetes, but becoming part of this organization changed everything. Over the past year and a half, I can honestly say I don’t know where my health would be today had I not been connected to the Diabetes Impact Project.

Through DIP-IN, I learned so much more about diabetes—not just clinically, but personally and communally. I was able to help others in my community by sharing my story and listening to theirs. I also began prioritizing my physical health and took full advantage of Brewster Boxing, one of DIP-IN’s partnerships serving the Near Northwest community. Through that opportunity, I lost a total of 25 pounds and gained confidence, discipline, and strength.

During this same period, I faced one of the most difficult challenges of my life. Despite my diabetes being well-managed, I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. My right retina detached, and I lost vision in my right eye. I underwent two surgeries and experienced a period of blindness that completely changed my world.

Through it all, the Diabetes Impact Project never left my side. They checked on me weekly, sent flowers during my recovery, made sure I was fed, and—most importantly—worked with me so I could keep my job during such an uncertain time. Living with a chronic illness at a young age in the workforce can be incredibly challenging, especially when so much is out of your control. DIP-IN’s support meant more to me than words can express.

The Diabetes Impact Project has had on the Near Northwest community—on individuals, families, and local businesses—is not talked about enough. While I am deeply saddened to see this program come to an end, I am forever grateful to have been part of such a life-changing organization. The Diabetes Impact Project didn’t just impact a community—it changed my life.

Thank you, DIP-IN, for everything.

With gratitude,
Marche Sherlock

Fund Development Update

With Gratitude to Our Community Partners

We are deeply grateful for the organizations whose generosity is driving real impact across our community:

• Vermeer Midwest — leading dealer of industrial equipment, proudly serving Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.
• Witherspoon Presbyterian Church — an oasis of hope for countless generations of faithful seekers in need of refuge and community.
• Northside New Era Church — meeting the spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of all GOD’s people.

Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to opportunity, dignity, and long-term change. Because of their investment, families are supported, students are better prepared, and neighbors have access to the resources they need to thrive.