Making Indianapolis Home

Hoosier Hospitality is alive and well, even during a pandemic. This is one of the many things I’ve learned since my wife, Laura, and I packed up our dogs Coco and Cookie and made the move from Kalamazoo, Mich.

People are friendly here. They are quick to give advice, too. Move to Carmel, some said. No, Greenwood, others told us. We were told we’d love Eagle Creek (we do). You should move downtown, uptown, southside, Fishers, Avon. We heard it all. You know what this tells me? People love their cities and their homes. Hoosiers are welcoming people, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to make a move to Indianapolis.

Moving isn’t new to me. I’ve moved dozens of times in my life. When I was in the military, I got my orders, packed my bags and off I went. This move was different. This move wasn’t orchestrated by the military or restricted by school districts. This move was a choice. The world was our oyster.

So, when CICOA called and offered me the chance to become a leader of the largest nonprofit serving older adults and people with disabilities in the state, I was intrigued. But, location is everything, and before I could accept, I needed to know more about Indianapolis. We needed to know we’d feel at home here.

Thanks for making us feel at home, Indianapolis.

This month, we’re celebrating a new move—this one into our new home. When we came in January, we wanted to take our time to find the right house and the right neighborhood, so we’ve been renting. We took all the advice we could get, and then we searched the area not just for a house, but for a home. The search reminded us of the value of homeownership, and how owning a home creates a feeling of stability and security. It also reminded me just how important CICOA is to the lives of so many of those we serve, who want to live as independently as possible in their own homes in the communities they love.

Thank you, Central Indiana, for making us feel at home, for sharing your opinions on the best places to live and welcoming us to your community. Thank you also for supporting CICOA’s mission by making it possible for seniors and people with disabilities to live and thrive safely at home.

Tauhric Brown

Tauhric Brown served as CICOA’s President and CEO from 2020-2024. His experience in the elderly and disability service industry helped to expand CICOA services and collaborative partnerships during his tenure. Before joining CICOA, Brown served as the chief operating officer for Senior Services, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich. His career started in the U.S. Army, and then he became a successful owner/operator for a multi-carrier wireless retail company. Inspired by his family and upbringing, he made the switch to the nonprofit world to fulfill his dream of improving the lives of others.