Going behind the scenes of advocacy at the Statehouse

The first time I walked into the Indiana Statehouse was my first day on the job as a government relations intern for United Way of Central Indiana.

It was impressive and intimidating at the same time. The building itself is beautiful, filled with people moving with a sense of purpose. Everyone has a job to do.

I quickly learned it was a role I needed to jump into headfirst. Within days, I was learning the names and priorities of legislators, what bills we were tracking, and how legislation can evolve during the session.  

It was an abnormal year to be in my position: All of this unfolded during a short legislative session that followed a special session less than a month prior. That said, it was an incredible introduction to the inner workings of government and the great job advocates do behind the scenes.  

One of the most important lessons I learned is the value of relationships and collaboration in the policy process. While legislation often appears to revolve around bills and votes, much of the real progress happens through conversations between advocates, organizations and legislators who share similar priorities.  

Networking in this space is about more than making connections — it’s about building trust and working together to amplify the voices of the communities we represent. When we coordinate these efforts and support one another’s work, our message becomes stronger and more impactful, making it easier to communicate shared priorities to policymakers and create meaningful change. 

United Way offers a unique perspective to the entire process. Our vision is that “Central Indiana will be a community where children, individuals and families thrive; neighbors care for each other; and we are proud of all our residents’ quality of life.” 

As a born and raised Hoosier, supporting the community is very personal to me. I’ve grown up to see firsthand how important it is for families to thrive both in and outside the home.  

I’ve seen how poverty can affect families in my community. It showed up in underfunded schools, where more than half the students were on free or reduced lunches. Parents working long hours away from their families to put food on the table. Limited access to health care due to rising costs. The consistent stress of financial instability.  

Witnessing all of this shaped my desire to better understand the policies that affect our communities like the one I grew up in and the one I now call home.  

My time with United Way gave me a deeper understanding of how legislation is written, debated and moved through the policymaking process, helping me see where and how advocates can influence meaningful change.  

More than anything, this experience left me not only with a stronger motivation to pursue equitable solutions, but also with the knowledge and tools to better understand legislation and engage in the process of shaping policies that can improve people’s lives. 

Grace Palmer is United Way’s 2026 government relations intern. She is a senior at Indiana University Indianapolis, where she is studying law in liberal arts.