Our Mission:
We transform the lives of students impacted by homelessness and housing instability with personalized tutoring and academic support while advocating for their families as they navigate the educational system.
Our Vision:
Brightlane Learning works to break the cycle of homelessness.
By providing personalized academic support to students—and critical guidance to their families and caregivers—we interrupt the cycle of homelessness with the power of education.
Our experience is unmatched. Our expertise is proven.
- 20+years of fighting homelessness with educational support
- 30+community partners, including schools, shelters, and community centers
- 750+students served each year
Thousands of children are homeless in Indianapolis. This includes youth living in shelters, motels, “doubled-up” housing, and on the streets. The problem is far more pervasive than most people realize.
We help these children get the education they deserve. Students experiencing homelessness face many barriers to a full education. We break down these barriers with on-site academic support and critical guidance for caregivers.
When young people thrive, our community thrives. Young people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness are at an increased risk for a range of health and social issues. Education can pave the way to a brighter future for both them and the wider community.
People make the difference. Meet ours.
Chad Cassinelli
Board ChairManaging Director, BMO Harris BankDoug Carpenter
Vice ChairTax Director, Katz, Sapper & MillerCathy George
TreasurerAccounting ConsultantJeremy Morris
SecretarySenior Counsel, Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP & IU TrusteeGbile Adewunmi
Executive Director, Power Systems Business Unit, Cummins Inc.Kim Borges
VP, Market PR Specialist, Regions BankRomán Graff
Director, Adjunct Faculty Office, Ivy Tech Community CollegeLinda Gunn
Advisor, Oncology Customer Support Programs, Eli Lilly and CompanyErik Long
Immediate Past ChairPartner, Ice Miller LLPAllison Segarra Hansen
Assistant Professor of Education, Marian University
Bill Bindley
ChairmanBindley Capital PartnersCindy Simon Skjodt
Community Volunteer
Dennis Martin
President, Individual Life and Financial Partners, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.Scott Thiel
Head of Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, Hologic, Inc.Blair West
Executive Director, Global Marketing Communications, Cummins, Inc.Emily Wolfington
Sr VP of HR & Talent Management, Elements Financial
Howard J. Lacy IV
Community Volunteer
Mike Smith
ChairFormer Executive VP & CFO, Anthem, Inc.
Chad Cassinelli
Board ChairManaging Director, BMO Harris BankDoug Carpenter
Vice ChairTax Director, Katz, Sapper & MillerCathy George
TreasurerAccounting ConsultantJeremy Morris
SecretarySenior Counsel, Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP & IU TrusteeGbile Adewunmi
Executive Director, Power Systems Business Unit, Cummins Inc.Kim Borges
VP, Market PR Specialist, Regions BankRomán Graff
Director, Adjunct Faculty Office, Ivy Tech Community CollegeLinda Gunn
Advisor, Oncology Customer Support Programs, Eli Lilly and CompanyErik Long
Immediate Past ChairPartner, Ice Miller LLPAllison Segarra Hansen
Assistant Professor of Education, Marian UniversityDennis Martin
President, Individual Life and Financial Partners, OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.Scott Thiel
Head of Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, Hologic, Inc.Blair West
Executive Director, Global Marketing Communications, Cummins, Inc.Emily Wolfington
Sr VP of HR & Talent Management, Elements Financial
Bill Bindley
ChairmanBindley Capital PartnersCindy Simon Skjodt
Community VolunteerHoward J. Lacy IV
Community VolunteerMike Smith
ChairFormer Executive VP & CFO, Anthem, Inc.
Meet our passionate partners.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without strong partnerships with schools and community organizations who share our commitment to serving children affected by housing insecurity and homelessness.
Testimonials