ANNOUNCEMENTS

LAURIE BUCKNER RECEIVES JEFFERSON AWARD 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April, 2017) -Among this year’s 12 recipients honored at the Jefferson Award banquet held at the Indiana Landmarks Center, was Laurie Buckner, founder of Buckner’s Place group recovery homes for persons dealing with serious mental health and co-occurring disorders.

The Jefferson Awards are sponsored locally by WRTV and Citizens Gas to honor ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition. The awards are given at both national and local levels

A registered nurse, born and raised on the Westside of Indianapolis, Ms. Buckner received both her bachelor and master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.

For the majority of her 28-year career, she worked on the med/surg units at Methodist Hospital. For the past 15 years, Mrs. Buckner has been a community-based nurse working with the homeless population and homecare for IU Health.

In 2009, Ms. Buckner received The Life Time Compassion Award, thru the Indianapolis Star (Salute To Nurses), for her work with the underserved population at IU Health (Healthnet) Homeless Initiative Program.

Ms. Buckner is a board member of the National Alliance of Mental Iliness (NAMI), a member of the Black Nurses Association, and a member of the HOPE team (Helping Others Prosper Economically). A forty year member of Christ Church Holiness, she is a currently an active member of Providence AME.

Ms. Buckner is the mother of a daughter, Micah, Pike High School junior,  adult son, Timothy, and grandmother of young Timothy.

“These are people who have no voice within our community. They need advocates in order to get the necessary help to lead productive and fulfilling lives, which they can do. Our work at Buckner’s Place is proof that. It all begins with stable housing.”

- Laurie Buckner

Watch Laurie's full WRTV interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-VWMm8lsCs&list=PLA9oceLlPZd95P4M5L1tCv2V7lSq5mIQz&index=2&t=24s