5 - Human Services

The Alpine Ski Club is a dynamic organization dedicated to the enjoyment of winter sports such as alpine skiing and snow boarding, good fellowship among skiers and friends, and activities that bring members together throughout the year.

Incorporated in Bloomington, Indiana in 1981 as a non-profit organization, the Alpine Ski Club has drawn its membership from as far away as Glacier, Montana. Members have ranged in age from 20s through 70s. And member backgrounds are just as diverse as their ages. The club sponsors spring break (and an occasional January or February) trip to the Rockies or Europe, day and weekend trips in the mid-west, and "ski nights" at our local resort - Paoli Peaks, Indiana. The ASC is now a member of the Ohio Valley Ski Council, so our members can participate in other OVSC events and its club's trips and racing competitions.

Since 1917, the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross has provided disaster relief, services to Armed Forces, emergency preparedness and lifesaving programs to Bloomington and the surrounding communities. Today we serve residents in both Monroe and neighboring Owen County 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

This congressionally-mandated service not only applies to major national tragedies but also to single-family incidents, generally fire, flood or tornadoes. Typically Red Cross responds by purchasing food, new clothing and providing shelter for families to help meet immediate emergency needs.

Blood Services-You can help the Monroe County Red Cross save lives by becoming a blood donor.

To find out where you can donate, visit Give Blood or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

The Shalom Community Center is dedicated to relieving the plight of those experiencing homelessness and poverty in South Central Indiana. Since access to food, housing, education, and health and human services are fundamental human rights; we seek to meet these basic needs. As a non profit resource center, we deliver social services directly and in collaboration with other agencies in a respectful and secure environment. We advocate for the most vulnerable among us and promote activities that empower people to develop their assets to the fullest extent possible.

The Bloomington Catholic Worker is a community in the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement. The Catholic Worker movement lives the vision of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, who believed that a peaceable revolution would result if people imitated Jesus Christ's nonviolence, voluntary poverty, and radical hospitality. The BCW/CR is an ecumenical Christian intentional community that tries to live, pray and work both with each other and with the poor we encounter.

The BCW/CR is completely autonomous and has no institutional connection to the Roman Catholic Church. We try to offer housing, food, clothing and love to people facing homelessness. We perform the works of mercy and nonviolently oppose the works of war. We strive to practice the Sermon on the Mount, community living, voluntary poverty, personalism, and care for the environment.

We host a potluck every Thursday evening from 5:30 - 7:30 pm that is open to all who may be interested in our mission or in need of a meal. You may also call to make arrangements to join us for dinner any other night of the week.

Bloomington based group that focuses on providing bicycle transportation. Services include the following:

• bikes for sale: we sell gently used bikes at bargain prices
• earn-a-bike program: participants can receive a bicycle after volunteering their time in our shop
• advocacy: we support alternative forms of transportation; we support the reuse and recycling of bicycles
• workshops & classes: we offer unique bike maintence workshops and classes for children and adults
• open shop: we make our tools available to the public
• bike distribution: we give away one free bike a month for qualified applicants
• art: we weld old bike parts to make bike racks, tables, or sculptures

The Bloomington Indiana Grotto was founded in 1958 and is a local chapter of the National Speleological Society. We have a wealth of specialized experience related to exploring and studying caves safely and conscientiously and are here to serve as a resource for those eager to learn more! The BIG is a community for members who wish to network with others interested in caving since it can be very unsafe to go underground alone and unprepared. We work to provide mentoring and education about techniques and equipment, safe caving practices, cave science, and good conservation ethics.

All caving trips hosted by the BIG are organized by volunteers. The BIG does not rent equipment or provide ‘tours’, but rather functions as a meeting hub for people interested in cave-related endeavors.

BT Access is a transportation service for persons with disabilities who, by means of a disability, cannot use the existing Bloomington Transit "fixed route" bus system. BT Access is operated by the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation. It is the same organization that operates the Bloomington Transit bus system. BT Access service is provided with vans equipped with wheelchair lifts. If you are eligible, these vans can pick you up and take you anywhere in Bloomington and, then take you back home. There are no restrictions on where in the city you can go or how often, depending upon your eligibility.

Contact: 812-339-9415 This sailboat-only club is located on the South shore of Lake Lemon (entry by Port Hole Inn Restaurant). Club memberships include use of wet and dry storage, electric hoist, club house, Sunday races, monthly club meetings and other social activities.

The mission of the Center on Aging and Community is to provide leadership that enables older persons to lead self-determined lives within their communities. The Center promotes practices that ensure access to opportunities for meaningful, productive, and healthy lifestyles.

Located on W. Bloomfield Rd. (2nd Street) on the west side of town, Twin Lakes Sports Park plays host to spring, summer and fall adult softball leagues, and has been awarded the distinction of hosting national softball tournaments for all ages of participants for over a decade.

The Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) is a volunteer group that advocates for the interests of people with disabilities. Formerly known as the Community Council on Handicap Concerns, the group was formed in 1990. The CCA promotes awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, and works to develop solutions to problems of accessibility in the community.

The Cutters Soccer Club provides a positive environment while promoting fair play and player development for residents of Monroe County and surrounding communities, encouraging players to develop a passion for the game and to maximize their potential.

Connecting Ordinary People - Celebrating Extraordinary Lives
Our vision is to bring together families in Bloomington and South Central Indiana in support of those with Down syndrome.

Our mission is to promote greater acceptance and understanding of Down syndrome; to educate, inform, and involve all people to recognize the uniqueness and capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome and the inherent dignity of all people with developmental disabilities; and to provide education and support for communities, families and individuals living, learning, and growing with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Family Connection is a 501(c)(3) organization.