An Indianapolis Colt is reaching out and lending a helping hand to teens in need.
Dan Muir was on hand Tuesday night to help serve the teens for the 15th annual Outreach Inc. Christmas dinner.
Outreach Inc. is helping about 600 teens this year from 23 Indianapolis schools who are either homeless or living on their own.
Lotoya Phillips has been on her own since two weeks before her 18th birthday. She is now a senior in high school, “ It was really I had no choice. I'm going to drop out of school so I can make a living for myself. I gotta provide for my house.”
Tuesday night Lotoya was excited about her pending graduation that she says is happening in large part thanks to Outreach, “Growing up it was always hard, so when I finally joined outreach. I've got somebody that finally help me out to encourage me to graduate school and make something of my life.”
Eric Howard is the executive director for Outreach Inc. He says his organization is flooded with teens in need, “There is definitely more. We've seen a 48 percent increase since last year and we're only touching a portion of Indianapolis.”
Daniel Muir with the Indianapolis Colts helped serve Tuesday’s dinner, “Anything I can say that may help them. Any way. Anything I can do to help them. I have a place in my heart for these kids man. Just being out here and fellowship with them is a great deal for me.”
During this season of giving, Lotoya is celebrating an incredible gift, one of hope, “Living is something positive.”
She has big dreams to go to law school and become a child advocate and give back to children like her, “I wanna be that person. For those that can't talk for themselves but I can. So why don't I defend you and talk for you.”
You can read Lotoya’s full story in a book published by Outreach Inc. Money from the book sales go back to help teens who are on their own or homeless. You can also make donations on Outreach Inc.’s website through PayPal. Http://www.outreachindiana.org/
