So often when we talk about retirement, it extends beyond your finances. While your financial readiness is an important and unique component to your retirement plan, it is not the only one. There is another piece, equally as crucial, your lifestyle.
Here at Deerfield, we work with you because you want more than financial organization and management, you want your money—your life—to make a bigger impact, to reach a broader audience.
It can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day business of your life. Between family priorities, friendships, hobbies, health, and work, your little circle may seem big enough. But we know that is not the case.
Stepping outside of our own lives to give back to people, places, and organizations that matter to us, makes our circle wider and our impact greater. Retirees are always seeking ways to find meaning and fulfillment in their new lives and one way they can do that is by getting involved in their community.
For all of you Indianapolis folks, this post is for you – encouraging you to expand your circle and find meaningful, intentional ways to broaden your reach.
1. Education and Literacy
There are so many programs in Indianapolis and surrounding areas that focus on children’s literacy programs and one that I want to highlight as an example is Rebecca’s Garden of Hope.
This program focuses on mentoring and tutoring kids from kindergarten through 5th-grade. Another point that makes this program so special is that they provide full, healthy meals for the kids as well. So many people go without, and this program is dedicated to foster health in the community both physically and educationally. It is all about encouraging learning and offering a safe space to grow together.
Perhaps you or your spouse is a retired teacher or just someone who loves helping children. This is a great way to get involved.
2. Become a Board Member
Another great way to dedicate your time and talents in retirement is to become a member on a board of an organization you admire. Board members are integral parts of an organization as they liaise with other team members, organize events, and go above and beyond to help the cause.
One organization currently looking for board members is Storytelling Arts of Indiana. This organization promotes stories in any form: written, verbal, film, art, music, etc to get people reading, writing, and listening to stories. For them, stories are a way we connect with people and they want to extend that connection to the community at large.
Stories tell multiple stories, and many are rich in diversity and culture. The Storytelling Arts of Indiana is dedicated to bringing that diversity to life and sponsors many literacy outreach programs that may be of interest to you.
3. Work With “Furry” Friends
So many people are drawn to helping animals in shelters and other programs. This type of work helps to give lost, forgotten, or abused animals loving homes. There are many shelters and programs where you can volunteer in Indianapolis but one in particular really stood out to me while doing my research, Paws and Think Volunteer.
Paws and Think offers two different programs. The first involves their Mentor Youth-Canine Program where incarcerated youth are paired up with shelter dogs for a week-long training program. They also need volunteers to take care of the dogs in the evenings and offer therapy-dog training. If you are a pet lover and interested in serving your community, this just may be a perfect fit for you.
4. Pick Up A Hammer
The Indy branch of Habitat for Humanity is always looking for dedicated volunteers. From construction to painting to landscape work, there is something for everyone in this wonderful organization.
Habitat for humanity is also known for allowing group events which are a great opportunity for you to get your work friends together, church group, book club, or any other groups you are in to give back to the community together.
5. Organization & Media
There are so many incredible volunteer opportunities in Indianapolis. I’m always amazed at the variety of non-profits and how they touch various aspects of life and interests. This last one I want to highlight today, the Indy Ultimate, is a non-profit focusing on sports.
Sports lovers will be really interested in this organization founded in 1979 and the first sports commission in the nation. Their whole goal is to inspire and unite the community through sports which they do through broadcasting, staging world-class sporting events, and creating opportunities for youth.
As you can see, there are so many ways for you to get involved in your community. Indianapolis is thriving with life and passion and you would be doing a service to yourself and others to be apart of it.
Volunteering and giving back is an important component of our company’s philosophy. If you would like to find ways for your money to make the biggest impact, please schedule a call with us. We can’t wait to serve you!
