INDIANAPOLIS — The Edna Martin Christian Center, historically known for its involvement in crime intervention in the local community has recently been awarded a $175,000 Elevation grant to help towards crime prevention and for investing in at-risk youth.
The $175,000 Elevation Grant from Indianapolis city officials will be used to expand the organization's Achieving, Elevating and Completing Initiative otherwise known as ACE.
The program is for 14 to 18-year old’s who are identified as high risk of suspension or expulsion. The program includes behavioral therapy, workforce development and conflict resolution tactics. These prevention strategies are something the organization says is working.
"I'm seeing change,” Immanuel Ivey, Senior Director of Workforce Development at Edna Martin Christian Center said. “For an individual who steadily has behavioral issues and problems at school who is being suspended who is on the verge of expulsion now, they are going back to their home school. Now they are being productive. Now they are actually getting the grades that they need to get to go and to graduate that's the proof right there."
The center works with several outside non-profit grassroots organizations to create wrap-around services for kids when they aren’t at school. This grant will allow the organization to expand its services.
"Originally, we were only at Positive Supports Academy solely working with their high school students,” Ivey said. “Now we are working with the high school and middle school but also, we have partnered with KIPP Legacy High School and middle school as well to work with them. “
The grant has provided Edna Martin Christian Center with the opportunity to serve up to 80 students, a number that was previously around 20 students.
The funding for this expansion came from American Rescue Plan funds, a portion of which the city of Indianapolis will use specifically for violence prevention programs, such as Edna Martin Christian Centers'.
For more information about the Edna Martin Christian Center click here.
-
Circle Centre Mall to rebrand as "Traction Yards" in $600M redevelopment
The Circle Centre Mall is officially being rebranded as "Traction Yards" as developers move forward with a $600 million redevelopment project.
Court docs: Son confessed to killing father "by beating him" on Indy's east side
A 54-year-old man is being charged with murder after he confessed he "killed his father by beating him" on Indy's east side Thursday. His mother was also seriously injured.
Martindale-Brightwood residents continue to fight against proposed data center
Metrobloks, a California-based tech company plans to build a $500 million data center off Sherman Drive, an area that is currently vacant.
Carmel to close Christkindlmarkt early Dec. 13-14 due to impending weather
Organizers of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt announced plans to close the market early December 13-14 due to weather. The announcement was made on social media on Thursday.
