Volunteer Action Center Director joins UWMC

Caleb Fiechter has recently joined the staff of United Way of Madison County as Volunteer Action Center Director. The position is funded as part of a three year grant awarded to United Way of Madison County by the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in March. The grant – Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund Structured Volunteer Program – will serve Madison and Grant counties. “Caleb's dedication to community service and building community has been evident throughout his college years and we're very happy that he has chosen to direct his talents to the betterment of Madison and Grant counties,” said President Nancy Vaughan.

Fiechter is a graduate of Anderson University and a lifelong native of Indiana. He previously worked at Hopewell Center as a Community Living Assistant.  Last year, Fiechter traveled to Nicaragua as a Rotary Ambassador Scholar and worked with a rural development organization for six months.  Upon returning to Madison County, he was active in Anderson University's Peace and Conflict Transformation Program.

Fiechter resides in Anderson and volunteers with the Mercy House Church in Anderson. He also supports and attends community meals at the Exodus House, a residential transition home in Anderson. “Caleb already brings many relevant experiences to this project that will benefit the clients and the organizations that are served,” said Vaughan.

About Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund- The objective of the IHHF is to provide an unemployment bridge program to assist homeowners throughout the state to avoid foreclosure resulting from the loss of income due to layoff, reduction in force, or other job loss through no fault or neglect on the employee. The program will offer qualified participants a monthly benefit to cover a portion of their first mortgage and related expenses while the individual seeks new employment. Participants will engage in approved training, education or structured volunteer work.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) will administer the program and United Way of Madison County will match IHHF participants in Grant and Madison Counties with volunteer opportunities. United Way will receive $185,000 to operate the program. Homeowners experiencing a financial hardship due to unemployment may begin submitting applications online at www.877gethope.org