For over a decade, IU Indianapolis (IUI) students have served at the Sheperd Community Center to support their mission of eradicating generational poverty on the Near Eastside.
Shepherd Community Center, established in 1985, is a Christ-centered non-profit organization on Indianapolis’ Near Eastside that helps children and families break the cycle of poverty by meeting their physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic needs. Shepherd Community Center serves individuals and families on the Near Eastside across various ages and phases of life as individuals transition from poverty to stability.
About the Shepherd Community Center
Shepherd Community Center takes a holistic approach to alleviating poverty, grounded in a Christ-centered life of faith, with a posture of humility. The community center, located at 4107 East Washington Street, recognizes that there is no simple remedy for breaking the cycle of generational poverty, whether it is systematic or situational. For this reason, their relationship-based model focuses on ten fundamental assets: faith, health, support, stability, skills, models, advocacy, knowledge, future, and income.
The community center serves anyone who lives in the 46201 and 46203 zip codes that make up the Near Eastside of Indianapolis. Care for individuals and families is available year-round through the center’s broad spectrum of programs, including support for mothers and babies, the preschool and K-5 primary schools, the 1st-12th grade after-school and summer programs, scholarships, mentor support, access to food and healthcare, various types of counseling, public safety support, housing, and more.
IU Indianapolis Students play an important role in Center
Academic support and volunteer engagement have played a pivotal role in the partnership between IU Indianapolis and the Shepherd Community Center.
Throughout this partnership, IU Indianapolis (which transitioned from IUPUI in 2024) students provided support to Shepherd through master’s level community and capstone projects. Shepherd’s assistant executive director, Andrew Green identified a “significant project” from 2017 that involved a capstone project involving various groups of master’s level students. The project developed a survey so Shepherd could hear from and understand the needs of the Near East community. Students assisted in the creation of the surveys, the collection of information through door-to-door visits, and the analysis of survey data. “It was a huge help to us,” Green added. The survey was used for several years.
Donna Alexander, the director of volunteer engagement, recalls a meaningful volunteer connection that was initiated by Natalie Back, a former Bridges International Ambassador staff member at IUI, who reached out to Shepherd about bringing a group of students to volunteer at Shepherd Community Center. The IUI students read to youth, assembled weekend packs of food for students to take home on Fridays, and assisted in the food pantry. The group came to volunteer in 2019 and again in 2021. “The students were very helpful and gracious in helping with the Academy here at Shepherd Community,” Alexander said.
Another student, Carissa, brought her IUI volleyball team to serve at Shepherd. “The group of ladies were very helpful in assisting with the set up for one of the largest events we hold each year, the Christmas Store,” said Alexander. Following their initial experience serving with their team, several members returned to Shepherd on their own at different times for volunteer opportunities.
A substantial portion of these volunteer experiences were spent at the K-5 Shepherd Community Academy, a Christ-centered primary school that promotes each child’s physical, emotional, academic, and spiritual growth. “Having the IUPUI students to work with our Academy children was a big help,” said Green. “Having other interested people come and be a positive influence and build relationships with Academy children is a very important part of our programs at Shepherd Community.”
Shepherd highlights and impact
In partnership with Gleaners food bank, Shepherd staff and volunteers participate in weekly food deliveries to neighbors who are most in need. “We have the opportunity to increase food access for our neighbors by delivering food to those who are home bound,” said Green.
“Additionally, we are excited about our new enrichment programs that involve our STEM lab and mobile Tinker Trailer,” said Green. The STEM lab is referred to as a “maker space,” where individuals can develop items including electronics, crafts such as Legos, IT/tech projects, and more. The Tinker Trailer is the portable lab that they bring into the community and offers similar types of projects. Students are also invited to use the maker space during the school day, after school, or during the summer to develop projects. “We are giving kids the opportunity to create and use their imaginations,” Green said.
Shepherd connects with families and individuals from the Near Eastside through various partner schools, community events, and social media. Families and individuals also reach out to Shepherd to connect and get plugged into opportunities. According to their 2023 year in review, “across all programming, services, events, and engagements, Shepherd Community Center served and built intentional relationships with 10,819 unique individuals, including children, students, seniors, and adults in our neighborhoods.”
Process of recruiting volunteers
Throughout this partnership, Shepherd has offered numerous volunteer opportunities to students, staff, and groups from the university. On occasion, the university has initiated contact with Shepherd regarding volunteer or academic opportunities.
According to Alexander, IU Indianapolis students and organizations have also helped Shepherd recruit more volunteers by spreading the word about the organization and their volunteer experiences.
“Some of the best practices we have observed and believe are effective in helping students have not only a good volunteer experience, but to promote service as a part of their futures is incorporating the Poverty 101 curriculum from Shepherd,” said Green. Volunteers, businesses, and churches use this curriculum to gain a better understanding of what poverty looks like in the communities that Shepherd serves. “Through helping students learn about the way people think and operate in poverty closes the gap between people,” Green concludes.
Serve at Shepherd Community
Shepherd offers summer internships and year-long fellowships that provide the opportunity to train and form deep relationships with Near Eastside neighbors. Both programs are residential and require a background check. Summer internships pay $2000 for 8 weeks. Fellowships pay a $20,000 stipend for 12 months. Learn more about internships and fellowships.
If you or your group desire to make a meaningful difference in helping to end generational poverty, fill out the volunteer form. All volunteers are welcome.