Hendricks County, Indiana

Supporting Working Families to Move from Surviving to Thriving

The HR Nest Foundation strengthens family stability through hot meals, STEM & AI education, workforce development, and financial literacy programs designed for working families.

Get Support
Our Programs

34%

of Central Indiana households cannot afford basic living costs

38%

of Indiana households face ongoing financial hardship

13 K

students rely on free or reduced lunch to eat every day

THE REALITY

Too Many Working Families Are being left behind

Families are working hard but still stretched thin. Parents balance jobs, caregiving, and rising costs while existing support systems often miss them entirely. They need more than groceries, they need practical support and opportunity.

Time Poverty

Parents work multiple jobs and have no hours left for caregiving, cooking, or planning ahead.

Food insecurity

Families need more than groceries — they need ready-to-eat meals after a long shift.

Opportunity gaps

ALICE households earn above poverty but below what it costs to live, and most safety nets miss them.

  • Family Table Program

    IMMEDIATE RELIEF

    Restoring time, easing stress, and bringing families back to the table.

    family table program

  • STEM & AI Education

    FUTURE SKILLS

    Coding, robotics, digital literacy, and AI for youth and adults alike.

    Our education programs

  • Financial & Career Support

    LONG-TERM MOBILITY

    Career coaching, financial literacy, and pathways to financial stability.

    Finance & career support

MEASURABLE IMPACT

Building measurable
community impact.

We combine immediate relief with long-term economic mobility — and track every dollar against the families it strengthens. Funder-ready, outcomes-driven, rooted in lived experience.

30+

Individuals supported through career coaching

$15K

Average income increase per participant

250

Families targeted annually

4,000

Meals projected annually

  • “I finally feel safe again.”

    After losing her job and home, Maria found transitional housing and job coaching through our program. She now has stable employment and a permanent home.

    – Maria

  • “I wasn’t alone anymore.”

    Our outreach team connected James to shelter, meals, and counseling. Today, he is working full-time and completing his GED.

    - James

  • “They gave me hope.”

    As a single mother, Tiana struggled to secure childcare and housing. Our case management team supported her through the entire process — now her family is thriving.

    – Tiana

  • “This program saved my life.”

    After years of living outside, Jordan accessed mental health services, ongoing case management, and employment support. He now mentors others in the program.

    – Jordan

BUILT FROM LIVED EXPERIENCE

"We are building
what I once needed."

HR Nest Foundation’s founder, Joyce, grew up in a single-parent household and later became a working mother juggling two jobs. After long shifts, the hardest part of her day wasn't the work — it was finding the time and energy to get a hot meal on the table.

She saw the same story repeating across her community: families doing everything right, yet still falling between cracks the safety net was never built to catch.

The HR Nest Foundation is her answer — bridging the gap between survival and stability for the families she once stood beside.

“A meal is more than food. It's time, relief, and connection.”

Joyce Cummings — Founder & Executive Director

Stay connected to the impact happening in Hendricks County, Indiana.

Be the first to hear about new programs, upcoming events, and real stories from the families you’re supporting. Every update shows how your community is growing stronger—one opportunity, one meal, and one family at a time.

GET INVOLVED

You can help strengthen families.

Three meaningful ways to help working families in Hendricks County move from surviving to thriving.

  • Donate

    Your gift puts hot meals on tables and skills in hands. Every dollar is tracked to outcomes.

    Make a difference

  • Volunteer

    Serve meals, mentor a student, or coach someone preparing for an interview.

    Apply Now

  • Partner With Us

    Corporate, civic, and faith partners help us reach more families and scale impact.

    contact us