Concord Neighborhood Center: Serving families on Indianapolis’ Southside for generations

Krista’s family is like many at Concord Neighborhood Center: multiple generations – from toddlers to seniors – who have been going there for decades.

Throughout Krista’s life, Concord Neighborhood Center has been a constant.  

As a kid, Krista participated in programs there. Now a mother of three, she brings her children to Concord, too.  

When she adopted her oldest two, Concord supported her through the process.  

And when the coronavirus pandemic hit, Concord provided necessary childcare so Krista could continue her job as an essential worker.  

Several of her cousins attended the neighborhood center, as did her uncle before them: "We’ve all been very involved with Concord since the beginning.”  

Krista’s family is like many at the neighborhood center: multiple generations – from toddlers to seniors – who have been going there for decades.  

Located on Indianapolis’ Southside, Concord Neighborhood Center serves residents living in 12.3-square-mile area from Washington Street to Thompson Road and between Interstate 65 and the White River. About 35,000 people – 13,000 households – live there, including families attending Perry Township and Indianapolis Public Schools.  

Concord and United Way of Central Indiana have been partners for over a century, since United Way’s earliest days as a Community Chest. During the 2021-2022 grant cycle, United Way awarded Concord $150,000 from the Basic Needs Fund and $100,000 from the Family Opportunity Fund.  

Concord got its start in the 1870s as a Turnverein, a German gymnastics club. It helped German immigrant families settle the area, followed by Jewish families and later Black and Appalachian families migrating from the South.  

Concord has always been a resident-led effort to help families settle and belong, work that continues today, said Hallie Robbins, Concord’s resource development coordinator: “We’re really still here to address the same needs and to give everyone the same access to meaningful opportunities.” 

The center helps people meet their basic needs – housing, transportation, food and health – to be self-sufficient and avoid crisis. It does that by providing financial assistance and helping people navigate various systems to access the resources they need. Concord takes its work a step further to ensure people have a quality of life that’s enriching and meaningful, Robbins said.  

Its core programs provide early childhood education, school-aged youth development, programming for middle schoolers and teens, family social services and senior enrichment.  

Funding from United Way allows Concord to help its neighborhood in the way that works best for the community, Robbins said. 

Krista attended Concord from ages 2 to about 14. Now a medical assistant at a Veterans Affairs center, she credits Concord with playing a large role in her success. As she puts it, Concord, “kept me out of trouble, kept me off the streets and kept me safe.” 

Staff at Concord helped her with her schooling, kept her busy, and taught teamwork and life lessons. Krista went on outings, competed in a golf tournament and participated in a teen program – Now for the Future – that prepares kids for college and careers.  

When Krista went through the adoption process, Concord connected her to therapy services her family needed. When they’ve needed food, clothing or gifts for the children at Christmas, Concord has been there, she said.  

When schools closed during the pandemic, Concord stayed open and expanded its youth program to a full-day model. Krista’s oldest son was able to do his virtual schooling there, among 30 kids who did their online learning from Concord during the height of school closures.  Concord also helped Krista apply for a grant to help cover the cost of childcare during the pandemic. 

“They've always opened their arms and welcomed me and anyone with me and done their best to help us in whatever way, whether it be food, financially, mentally, physically – anything,” Krista said. “… They've been very good to us.” 

This story appeared in United Way of Central Indiana’s 2021-2022 annual report. For more stories of impact, view the full report online.

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