{"id":342,"date":"2022-07-25T15:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T15:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/?p=342"},"modified":"2022-11-07T20:53:41","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T20:53:41","slug":"from-an-inspired-vision-to-a-thriving-and-essential-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/2022\/07\/25\/from-an-inspired-vision-to-a-thriving-and-essential-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"From an inspired vision to a thriving and essential ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shepherd Community Center: From an inspired vision<\/strong> to a thriving and essential ministry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd Community Center is a nonprofit organization established in 1985 with a simple but staggering goal \u2013 to break the cycle of poverty on the near Eastside of Indianapolis through a holistic approach that meets the physical, emotional, spiritual and academic needs of neighbors from cradle to career \u2013 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a look at pivotal points in history that have shaped Shepherd\u2019s ministry and culture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1985<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Westside Church of the Nazarene sponsors a Thanksgiving Dinner at the century-old Central Church of the Nazarene, 1625 E. Washington St. Led by JK Warrick<\/strong>, members of the Church of the Nazarene minister to neighbors living in urban Indianapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1986<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Westside Church commissions Dean Cowles<\/strong> and 12 congregation members to begin compassionate ministry in the old Central Church, offering food and clothing. The name is changed to the Central Nazarene Mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1988<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The name is changed to Shepherd Community Center<\/strong>. Shepherd purchases a warehouse building next to the former Central Church, adding 14,000 square feet. Programming expands to include a food pantry and after-school childcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1990<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd and the Indianapolis Homeless Network partner to open the Day Center<\/strong> serving homeless men. Shepherd starts summer day camps for children, enrolling 48 kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1998<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jay Height<\/strong> is named executive director after serving as director of development. The Indianapolis Police Department names Height as \u201ccrime fighter of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1999<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Land behind Shepherd is acquired, and a playground, garden and park are installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Indianapolis Day Center for homeless men becomes an independent organization. Shepherd focuses on working with children and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


2002<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd Academy<\/strong> launches with a kindergarten class of 12 students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2005<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd celebrates 20 years of serving on the near Eastside of Indianapolis and makes plans to find a larger facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


2006<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd moves to 4107 E. Washington St., renovating a building formerly used by a fraternal organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Continuum of Care<\/strong>, a 25-year plan designed to help families break the cycle of poverty, is introduced. The continuum is designed to help families overcome challenges in all areas of life: physical, emotional, spiritual and academic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd launches Family Ministries<\/strong> to support families of children served by Shepherd. The ministry includes a free health clinic for children and their families, led by volunteer health care professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with Edna Martin Christian Center to create the Martindale-Brightwood Center for Working Families<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with Indianapolis Public School 58 to connect with neighborhood students through an after-school program<\/strong> in the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>2015<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd celebrates 30 years of serving on the near Eastside of Indianapolis by launching the Shalom Project<\/strong>, which focuses on feeding the hungry, promoting better health and improving the housing stock on the Eastside. As part of the project, Shepherd partners with the city to team a police officer and a paramedic to assist neighbors with medical, safety and other needs. Shepherd begins to host a Celebrate Recovery program to meet weekly with neighbors who struggle with addictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd renovates its main building to include more classrooms, a computer lab, storage and a teaching kitchen to help families learn to cook healthy meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd launches its own Center for Working Families<\/strong>, splitting from the Martindale-Brightwood Center for Working Families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with the Minnie Hartmann Center to open a preschool in the newly renovated center at 340 N. Sherman Dr. The Shepherd Neighborhood Childcare at Minnie Hartmann <\/strong>serves children from birth to kindergarten and hosts before and after-school care for elementary-age students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with the Indianapolis Public Library to establish a Shared System Library <\/strong>at the center, giving children and their families access to books and other resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gleaners Food Bank<\/strong> awards Shepherd a $120,000 grant to expand the food pantry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Shepherd Community Center: From an inspired vision to a thriving and essential ministry Shepherd Community Center is a nonprofit organization established in 1985 with a simple but staggering goal \u2013 to break the cycle of poverty on the near Eastside of Indianapolis through a holistic approach that meets the physical, emotional, spiritual and academic needs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

Shepherd Community Center: From an inspired vision<\/strong> to a thriving and essential ministry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd Community Center is a nonprofit organization established in 1985 with a simple but staggering goal \u2013 to break the cycle of poverty on the near Eastside of Indianapolis through a holistic approach that meets the physical, emotional, spiritual and academic needs of neighbors from cradle to career \u2013 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a look at pivotal points in history that have shaped Shepherd\u2019s ministry and culture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1985<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Westside Church of the Nazarene sponsors a Thanksgiving Dinner at the century-old Central Church of the Nazarene, 1625 E. Washington St. Led by JK Warrick<\/strong>, members of the Church of the Nazarene minister to neighbors living in urban Indianapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1986<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Westside Church commissions Dean Cowles<\/strong> and 12 congregation members to begin compassionate ministry in the old Central Church, offering food and clothing. The name is changed to the Central Nazarene Mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1988<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The name is changed to Shepherd Community Center<\/strong>. Shepherd purchases a warehouse building next to the former Central Church, adding 14,000 square feet. Programming expands to include a food pantry and after-school childcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1990<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd and the Indianapolis Homeless Network partner to open the Day Center<\/strong> serving homeless men. Shepherd starts summer day camps for children, enrolling 48 kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1998<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jay Height<\/strong> is named executive director after serving as director of development. The Indianapolis Police Department names Height as \u201ccrime fighter of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1999<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Land behind Shepherd is acquired, and a playground, garden and park are installed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Indianapolis Day Center for homeless men becomes an independent organization. Shepherd focuses on working with children and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


2002<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd Academy<\/strong> launches with a kindergarten class of 12 students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2005<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd celebrates 20 years of serving on the near Eastside of Indianapolis and makes plans to find a larger facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


2006<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd moves to 4107 E. Washington St., renovating a building formerly used by a fraternal organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Continuum of Care<\/strong>, a 25-year plan designed to help families break the cycle of poverty, is introduced. The continuum is designed to help families overcome challenges in all areas of life: physical, emotional, spiritual and academic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd launches Family Ministries<\/strong> to support families of children served by Shepherd. The ministry includes a free health clinic for children and their families, led by volunteer health care professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with Edna Martin Christian Center to create the Martindale-Brightwood Center for Working Families<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with Indianapolis Public School 58 to connect with neighborhood students through an after-school program<\/strong> in the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/strong>2015<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd celebrates 30 years of serving on the near Eastside of Indianapolis by launching the Shalom Project<\/strong>, which focuses on feeding the hungry, promoting better health and improving the housing stock on the Eastside. As part of the project, Shepherd partners with the city to team a police officer and a paramedic to assist neighbors with medical, safety and other needs. Shepherd begins to host a Celebrate Recovery program to meet weekly with neighbors who struggle with addictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd renovates its main building to include more classrooms, a computer lab, storage and a teaching kitchen to help families learn to cook healthy meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd launches its own Center for Working Families<\/strong>, splitting from the Martindale-Brightwood Center for Working Families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with the Minnie Hartmann Center to open a preschool in the newly renovated center at 340 N. Sherman Dr. The Shepherd Neighborhood Childcare at Minnie Hartmann <\/strong>serves children from birth to kindergarten and hosts before and after-school care for elementary-age students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd partners with the Indianapolis Public Library to establish a Shared System Library <\/strong>at the center, giving children and their families access to books and other resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gleaners Food Bank<\/strong> awards Shepherd a $120,000 grant to expand the food pantry.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-shepherd"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upliftindy.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}