By Kayla Barlow

Nowadays it is almost impossible to get by without a telephone.

But for some homeless people, it’s normal to go days, weeks or months without a phone. Studies show that homeless people have a higher mortality rate. The cell phone is therefore a necessity that is often inaccessible to those who need it most.

Indiana is no exception. Statistics from the National Alliance to End Homelessness show that there are approximately 5,449 homeless people in Indiana. Many local people and organizations are working to change this statistic.

Michael Jewell, founder of family-run company Constellation Wireless, is one of them. In conjunction with a federal government program called Lifeline, Constellation Wireless distributes free phones to homeless people in Indiana.

“One guy sleeping under a bridge said to me, ‘You know, I don’t know what would have happened to me if I didn’t have a phone in an emergency situation,'” Jewell said. “People who aren’t so worried about where they can sleep and how safe they are and all that, they take it for granted.

This story is one of many Jewell has heard thanks to the Lifeline program.

Through the program and providers such as Stand-Up Wireless, Tru Link Wireless and Excess Telecom, Constellation Wireless has been able to give out free phones with free phone plans to people who qualify through programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, Veterans and Survivors Pension, Federal Public Housing, Pell Grants or household income requirements. The program also provides affordable phones to people who meet certain low-income thresholds.

Applicants can additionally qualify to participate in assistance programs by presenting their government-issued identification card and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

The principles of the program state that recipients of the phone can use it to communicate with family members, contact emergency services and find a job.

When they were given the phones, Jewell said the first call should not be a surprise.

“They called their mom first,” Jewell said. “That tells you what state they’re in… It’s heartwarming to see people call their mom and then get back in touch with their families.”

Moments like these have enabled the organization to help the homeless in many ways.

“It became like a ministry,” Jewell said. “We’re almost like therapists here… We just listen, but they let it out.”

“There are people out here, homeless people, who are not listened to. They are not seen,” he continued.

Although Jewell’s ministry is based in his family, he regularly partners with other people and organizations who share a similar passion.

Charles Motley, a community organizer and advocate for the homeless, is one of them.

“I told (Jewell) that I was homeless from 1991 to 1995, and I promised God that once I got my life in order, I would go out and serve the community,” Motley said.

Their budding friendship quickly developed into a long-term collaboration between Jewell, Constellation Wireless and Motley. Motley connected Jewell with organizations he had worked with and used his experience as an activist to spread the message to the homeless community.

The result?

“They came in droves,” Jewell said.

Constellation Wireless now has partnerships with over 30 organizations, including the Center Township Trustee’s Office, the Salvation Army, Wheeler’s Mission, Nomad Alliance (also known as Allies for Humanity), the Indianapolis Public Library, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and more.

Katelyn White, one of two directors of the Indiana chapter of the Nomad Alliance, said the Nomad Alliance has been working with Constellation Wireless for over a year.

“It was very important for Allies for Humanity to get Michael and his team to as many places as possible so we could ideally combat these concerns,” White said.

On the third Saturday of every month, Constellation Wireless and the Nomad Alliance distribute resources at a “Safe Serve Site” on Kentucky Avenue under I-70.

During the week, Constellation Wireless distributes phones at the Indianapolis Public Library (Indy PL) on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Yanna McGraw, social worker for Indy PL, said the library has been working with Constellation since 2023.

“This community partnership is important to the library because we are providing a connection to a resource that connects many resources for those in need in the community,” McGraw said.

Due to the growing concern for homeless veterans in the community, Constellation Wireless is on call for several organizations – one of which is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The department’s mission includes providing assistance to homeless veterans and those at risk of homelessness. However, if those veterans don’t have a phone, it’s difficult for department staff to contact them.

Constellation Wireless helped with this effort, said James Miller, a social worker at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“There has never been a time when I have asked him for help and he has not been available… I am truly grateful for the work he does,” Miller said.

Like Miller, many of Jewell’s colleagues appreciate Constellation Wireless’s work. One of them is Jewell’s brother-in-law, Loren White.

White said he enjoys giving phones to those in need as part of his work with these organizations.

“Sometimes there’s desperation. I’ve had people tell me, ‘I really need this. I need to contact my mom. She doesn’t know where I am,'” White said. “And then they can get a phone. That’s a huge relief for them. And it’s really good for me to be able to do that.”

White noted that stories like these have made it even clearer to him that homelessness and the mental health issues prevalent among the homeless are problems the city needs to address.

“I saw people who looked lifeless and hopeless, in areas where nobody goes,” White said. I want to help these people… That really touched me… This is only my part-time job, but I love it so much. It makes me feel fulfilling to do something to help someone.”

White encouraged people who tend to walk past homeless people to donate.

“If you meet people in certain organizations here in the city, you can give them little things to give to the homeless… And you can just give your time,” White said.