To empower disadvantaged children to reach their full potential by facilitating mutually beneficial relationships that strengthen our community.
A future where crime and poverty are overtaken by the simple act of investing in life-building relationships with our children.
Urban Hope Indy (UHI) was founded in 2015 by Indianapolis native Jonny Ray, who developed a passion for disadvantaged youth through a chain of unique life experiences. Through education, research, faith, and those unique experiences, he envisioned a way to support youth in underserved areas that goes beyond temporary, emergency relief to a more systemic one that involves unlocking their potential and equipping them for success. At UHI, we subscribe to the idea that, “it is better to build strong children than to repair broken men”.
UHI is not a select few people who feel they are smart enough or great enough to change our city alone. “The UHI Way” involves partnering and serving with the entire community. Urban Hope Indy is you. For us to make the kind of impact that addresses the 40,000 disadvantaged youth in our city, we need a plan that educates, invites and develops others to contribute in a way they never thought possible. In simple terms, we are a network of passionate volunteers who love our children and community and desire to make a lasting impact.
As this endeavor is one of community support, we need volunteers, i.e., mentors, advocates, drivers, food servers, speakers, event helpers, etc. And of course we need funding. In pursuit of these needs, we will continue to partner with those in our community and pursue various monetary and in-kind sources to fund the costs necessary to fulfill our mission.
1) We mentor disadvantaged children
We empower disadvantaged children to reach their pull potential by facilitating mutually beneficial relationships. We mentor one-to-one and have multiple group mentoring programs.
2) We want to reduce poverty in Indy
We envision a future where crime and poverty in our community are overtaken by investing in life-building relationships with our children.
3) We believe in the power of community
Disadvantaged children often relocate multiple times per year to different parts of our city. We go where our children go. Our mentors stay connected to routinely bring children back to a community of support they may never have known otherwise.
4) We practice an “upstream approach”
If we know a person is prone to fall into a river, it’s most appropriate to prevent them from falling in rather than spending countless community resources to pull them out.
5) We value partnerships
Our community works best when we work together. We want to team with professional and caring organizations to make a brighter future for our children and our city.
Born to young parents, Jonny spent his early life in trailer parks, high density housing and a small home that served seven family members on Indy’s east side. “I’ve made my share of mistakes,” he says, “but I’m fortunate to serve a God who is always there to forgive, restore and guide us.”
Jonny says, “I was blessed to have people in my life who believed in me. Whatever success I’ve attained didn’t happen through wealth or prestige. It was a loving God working through ordinary people who believed in me in extraordinary ways. They had more faith in me than I had in myself. What a privilege to try to do the same for someone else.”
His wife Linda is an RN and has been the love of his life for over 35 years. “Whatever you think of me alone, you’ll think much better of me when she’s standing by my side. She makes me better in every way conceivable.” Together they share a passion for breaking the cycle of poverty in the forgotten parts of our community. Jonny and Linda have two adult daughters who are also passionate about serving the disadvantaged and have positioned themselves in careers to support and develop those in need.
Jonny holds bachelor’s degrees in Management and Finance and a Masters in Business Administration. He has served non-profit organizations for over 40 years and managed annual operating budgets in excess of $500 million.
With over a decade of experience in mental health and social services, Hannah Ray is dedicated to empowering youth and building strong mentor relationships. Her expertise spans trauma-informed care, strengths-based approaches, and designing impactful programs for diverse communities, from rural areas to urban centers. Hannah’s work has taken her across the globe, leading mental health and relief projects in Haiti, Iraq, and India. At Urban Hope Indy, she spearheads mentor recruitment and program development, leveraging her storytelling skills to inspire action and grow a thriving online platform of over 50,000 followers. Passionate about making a difference, Hannah collaborates with community leaders, nonprofits, and churches to ensure success for youth and mentors alike.
Gabe, our in-house strategist, facilitates communications, programs, community partnerships at Urban Hope Indy — bridging one-to-one mentorship with community-centered initiatives. A former collegiate point guard and graduate of New Mexico Military Institute, he went on to play Division I basketball at St. Francis College Brooklyn before completing his undergraduate in psychology and philosophy at Indiana University, where he was also part of the IU Men’s Basketball program. Gabe has over a decade of experience holistically training and mentoring basketball players — from youth through the professional level — along with several years coaching at the collegiate level. Since 2021, he has served the Hoop Bus, a basketball and community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit, as a strategic advisor, facilitator, and producer, helping refine operations and leading both national tours and community activations across the U.S. As a multi-faceted coach and strategist, Gabe believes education is the cornerstone of personal freedom and community transformation — and that being the change begins with simply being who you needed.
Coming from small-town Kansas, Logan spent much of his early childhood on the move, following his dad’s tennis coaching career and rarely staying at one elementary school for more than a year. When his family finally settled, his summers were shaped by long days hitting tennis balls under the hot sun or laboring on the family farm. A former political campaign fundraiser, he has worked on races spanning from local city council to congressional setting several records in the 2022 and 2024 cycle. Logan’s passion for public service was sparked by his Grandma Pat, who taught him the importance of standing up for what’s right, especially when it comes to helping the underprivileged. These days, he brings that same fire to building support for other Midwest youth who deserve the chance to thrive.
Joseph Daniel Gedeon
Associate Credit Analyst with Natixis CIB Americas and Indiana Football Alumnus
Aljami Durham
Professional Basketball Player and Indiana Basketball Alumnus
David Held, Retired
Valenti-Held Development
Patrick Hurley
Chief Executive Officer, Radiology of Indiana
Ron Nunez
Senior Pastor, Woodruff Place Baptist Church
Jessica Petersson
US Enterprise Sales at ADP
Rachel Wathen
Real Estate Agent at Duke Collective
Don Yaeger
Award-Winning Leadership Speaker and Author
