Darian Benson

3 days ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Casey Kraft, 32, walked across the stage at Cafe Oztara June 13 while her family looked on. “This is my first graduation,” Kraft said. “This is really big.”Kraft’s parents, aunts and two of her children were there to see her graduate. Her peer recovery coach and therapist were there, too. “It was important to show them that I have changed and that I’m not just playing around, that I’ve really turned my life around for them,” Kraft said.

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Eastsiders can learn more about how this year’s Indiana legislative session will affect them at an upcoming town hall. State Rep. Robin Shackleford and state Sen. La Keisha Jackson, two Democrats from Indianapolis, will host the town hall from 6-8 p.m. June 26 at P30, a coworking space at 3039 N. Post Road. The lawmakers will share updates from this year’s legislative session, discuss bills that passed and answer questions.

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Washing a fire truck, putting out blazes and rescuing people. Those are just some of the tasks Indianapolis Fire Department firefighters do each day. It’s also what more than 100 kids did at the department’s free Brian Sanford Firefighter for a Day Camp. The camp was held June 10-12 at the Warren Township Government Center. Firefighters from around Indianapolis came to the camp to interact with the kids and run activities based on real tasks. The goal was to teach kids about fire safety.

1 week ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

Celebrate Juneteenth with a free event in Lawrence. The Arts for Lawrence Juneteenth Jubilee is from 4-8 p.m. June 21 at the Fort Ben Cultural Campus. The event honors freedom, heritage and community, according to Arts for Lawrence. The event will feature live music performances, food trucks and goods from local vendors. There will also be activities for children and work from local artists. Mirror Indy’s traveling story about Greenlawn Cemetery will also be on display during the event.

2 weeks ago | mirrorindy.org | Darian Benson

My 3-year-old is in that fun phase where he definitely needs a nap, but he definitely does not want to take one. His reasoning? “I only sleep when the sun sleeps.”It’s probably my own fault. A few months ago, he was fighting bedtime. It was 9 p.m. and he kept jumping out of bed and running to my room. After probably the fifth time of me walking him back to his room and tucking him back into bed, I pointed out his window. “Look, the sun is asleep,” I told him.