PHOTOS: Young Gathers Evansville Leaders for Fair Shot Agenda Roundtable

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) gathered community leaders at the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville today for a roundtable discussion as part of his Fair Shot Agenda – a statewide initiative that aims to ensure every Hoosier has a fair shot to succeed. Roundtable participants discussed topics ranging from homelessness and addiction, to education and jobs, and improving affordable housing, foster care, and other public service programs. 

“Hoosiers look out for one another – that’s why I convened a group of community leaders in Evansville who are tackling some of the biggest challenges Hoosiers face,” said Senator Young. “Today’s conversation will help shape my Fair Shot Agenda as we continue to explore potential solutions to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to achieve their version of success – regardless of the obstacles they may face.”

The Fair Shot Agenda focuses on four key areas: opportunity, safety, health, and better government.

• Opportunity: How do we improve opportunities for upward mobility, a quality education, and a good-paying job? Senator Young has highlighted apprenticeship programs, career and technical training, innovative solutions for funding higher education, such as Income Share Agreements, and improved access to affordable housing as potential solutions. 
• Safety: How do we ensure the safety of Indiana communities and protect our national security interests? Senator Young highlighted his recently passed legislation, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act, as one measure that can help.
• Health: How do we create strong and healthy families? Senator Young emphasized improving healthcare access, combatting the opioid epidemic, and strengthening adoption and foster care programs as a few places to start. Senator Young also highlighted his recently passed bill to help modernize the outdated foster care placement process. 
• Better Government: How do we create smarter and more efficient government programs that better serve Hoosiers? Senator Young highlighted his recently passed legislation to expand social impact partnerships, which leverage evidence-based public-private funding partnerships to solve some of the nation’s most pressing social challenges.”

Click here for a full list of speakers from today’s roundtable.

Click here for more information on the Fair Shot Agenda.

What they are saying:

Sarah Gough, Executive Director – Borrowed Hearts: “Borrowed Hearts Foundation is incredibly honored to be invited to participate in this round table with Senator Young and shed light on the issues surrounding foster care within our community. We hope to be a part of positive change & growth to better support families.”

Jason Emmerson, Executive Director – United Caring Services: “Many issues – poverty, substance use, mental illness, incarceration, too few affordable housing options – leave a person homeless. They deserve an opportunity to overcome these barriers to achieve stability and success. By giving them a fair shot, we can make this possible and create a more caring community for all Indiana residents.”

Brian Kerney, Executive Director – Aurora Evansville: “Aurora is thrilled to meet with our Senator Todd Young to discuss the Fair Shot Agenda and how the Hoosier State can work together to help our homeless neighbors and those coming out of prison striving to acclimate back into society.”

Eric Stockton, VP – Trivalence Tech: “We are thankful for the opportunity to share our second chance leadership stories with Senator Young and local leaders. Most people with prior transgressions genuinely want to better themselves, but never get the chance or know where to start. Outlining employment path creation to employee/employer accountability was on my list of discussion topics.”

Photos from today’s event are included below.