One of the best parts of my job at Community Foundation is learning about the nonprofits who serve our county. Even after more than 2 years, I am still discovering organizations that have flown under my radar. Last month, a friend and local businessman asked if I would meet with the Chief Development Officer from Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Centers. I did, and what I learned is still on my mind.
Susie’s Place was started 18 years ago by founder, Emily Perry, who often refers to herself as just a social worker, but she is much more. Her career began at Indiana’s Department of Child Services then on to Indianapolis Institute for Families where she saw a need for improved and centralized trauma-informed intervention in crimes against children. As a result, Emily founded Susie’s Place in 2009 in Avon to conduct forensic interviews of child victims and child witnesses of violent crimes. The environment is intentionally child-friendly and homey to put the child at ease. The only people allowed in the interview are the child and the highly trained forensic interviewer who is expert at making the child feel safe and secure to share his or her experience without suffering additional trauma.
Behind the scenes watching the forensic interview in real time at Susie’s Place are members of a multi-disciplinary team, including Department of Child Services, law enforcement, and a representative of the prosecutor’s office. Most law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices have experts who specialize in investigating and prosecuting crimes against children. With input from the Susie’s Place interviewer and advocate, the team works together to make decisions about the best next steps for the child and the case. Last year, Susie’s Place conducted 1,399 forensic interviews with child victims and witnesses to violent crimes across 46 counties including Morgan County.
The Avon office was opened in 2009 while the Bloomington center was opened in 2011 and Terre Haute in 2017. While running all three centers, Emily continues to provide front line care as a forensic interviewer and expert witness in crimes against children. She is also a contracted trainer for the US Army’s prosecutors in the field of child abuse.
Emily named Susie’s Place after Susie Austin, the first female deputy at Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department. She led all investigations of crimes against children.
After hearing about Susie’s Place, I wondered how many children Emily Perry has helped or even saved. One person who decided to make a difference in the lives of others in the most desperate need. Starting with an idea, ignoring the steepness of the climb, and persevering through what has no doubt been a difficult journey. What if we all did that?
I meet all kinds of amazing people that set out on a journey to help, and I am a believer that we all can in some way. Maybe not to the degree that Emily Perry has, but even a small contribution toward our fellow man, children, or community makes a huge difference.
For example, the giving circles. Community Foundation started 100+ Women Who Care and Guys Who Give in 2025. Members join for $100, make $100 quarterly donations, nominate their favorite nonprofit, listen to three 5-minute presentations from organizations serving Morgan County (like Susie’s Place) and vote for the most deserving. Community Foundation triples each member’s quarterly donation. These grants have ranged from $15,000 to more than $34,000, depending on membership. At the June women’s meeting, a member said, “I can’t believe I can write a check for $500, and it becomes over $100,000 in a year!” She is right. Between both giving circles, we granted over $200,000 in 2025 to Morgan County nonprofits all because people worked together to make a difference. Without these members, these grants would not be possible.
Besides the giving circles, there is so much you can do to help with community needs. Right now, thanks to Lilly Endowment’s GIFT IX, you can establish a family legacy fund and triple your donation. Yes, $5,000 becomes $15,000; $50,000 becomes $150,000. This fund allows unrestricted grantmaking to help nonprofits such as Morgan County Humane Society, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Desert Rose, or Susie’s Place, our school systems, food pantries, veteran’s organizations and more. The need is great, and just like Emily Perry, you can make a difference.
Last month, a local couple made a gift of stock to open a family legacy fund. They are long-time supporters of primarily one organization and are very active and committed to that cause. Fortunately, they understand the opportunity GIFT IX brings and because both are active in the giving circles, they are in tune with Morgan County’s needs. She explained they want to serve as an example for others to follow. Sounds just like what Emily Perry is doing.
