November 17, 2023
"Drive and Dish" Program Announced; Aims to Feed 1,000 Families in January.
The Drive and Dish initiative is sponsored by Pacer's head coach Rick Carlisle and the Pacers Foundation in partnership with the City of Indianapolis and will begin mid-January. The program is limited to the first 500 to register, and participants must live in 46218, 46202, or 46205 to be eligible. All boxes will contain high-quality fresh vegetables, fruits, and a carton of eggs. The first box will also contain a cookbook; future boxes may include cooking utensils, spices, and other specialty items.
June 17, 2022
Community Peace Walk: A Successful Start to Juneteenth Weekend
There were several Juneteenth events around the city this weekend, but EMCC helped to kick-off the celebrations with the first one: the third annual Community Peace Walk. The rain stayed away, as about 150 people walked the mile-long route along streets around Martindale-Brightwood. Many of the kids carried posters, and all arrived back safely to enjoy music, food, and community resources at our Leadership & Legacy Campus. May God grant us peace.
January 1, 2020
President Tysha Hardy-Sellers steps down. VP Barato Britt takes the reins.
After 11 years at the helm of EMCC, President / CEO Tysha Hardy-Sellers leaves to take a position at Lilly Endowment. After a rigorous process, the board has selected Barato Britt to succeed Hardy-Sellers.
Britt has been the executive director at EMCC's Leadership & Legacy Campus.
June 11, 2019
Edna Martin Christian Center receives $50,000 A Community Thrives grant.
USA TODAY NETWORK’s A Community Thrives initiative is part of the Gannett Foundation, supporting non-profit organizations like ours with projects focused on community building.
This grant will go to support our Community Solutions and Entrepreneurship Center. The new Center will support business development, incubate new businesses, and be a hub to help address community issues.
See the story at the Indy Star by clicking here.
Apr. 9, 2019
Edna Martin Center Launches Center for Entrepreneurs
The Indianapolis-based Edna Martin Christian Center is launching a new Community Solutions and Entrepreneurship Center that will aim to help entrepreneurs get new businesses off the ground. Immanuel Ivey has been named Micro Enterprise Director for the new center.
The center will work to develop new businesses, help new businesses grow and take established businesses to the next level, kicking off with a Business Growth Forum April 11 and an entrepreneurial workshop series.
Nov. 20, 2018
Edna Martin Christian Center, KIPP mark milestones in expansion
Two years after the Edna Martin Christian Center purchased a building and 13 acres of land for $1 on Indianapolis’ northeast side, the group celebrated its newly renovated Leadership and Legacy Center with an open house Nov. 20. It marked the completion of the first phase of its two-phase renovation project to the area.
The Edna Martin Christian Center and KIPP have had a partnership since 2010, according to Barato Britt, who sits on KIPP’s board and is also in charge of operations at the Leadership and Legacy Center. Britt said KIPP Indy High School is a continuation of that relationship, which will include after-school and summer programs for students. The hope is a strong partnership between the two entities will enhance the cultivation of talent that already exists in the community.
This story was covered by the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.
For more information on the story and on building updates click here
May 31, 2018
Edna Martin Christian Center to transform former superfund site into intergenerational, multi-service campus in the Martindale-Brightwood community.
The Edna Martin Christian Center broke ground on the redevelopment of two buildings spanning 25,000 square-feet and 13 acres to establish an intergenerational enrichment campus in the Martindale-Brightwood area.
A community celebration and ceremonial groundbreaking took place on May 31, 2018, to launch the project.
See the story and a slide show of the day by clicking here.
May 2, 2018
Job Fair in Jail
Edna Martin Christian Center took part in a first-ever job and resource fair held at a Marion County Jail. EMCC’s Immanuel Ivey (red-gingham shirt, blue tie) had the chance to tell inmates about the RIP at the Center (Reconnecting to Indy Program) that features education, job training, and other resources.
January 12, 2018
Tight Job Market Opens Doors for Ex-Offenders.
"The city, through a new program called HIRED, has added the option for businesses that apply for and earn a tax abatement to receive an enhanced benefit if they commit to hiring and retaining an ex-offender....
"The city of Indianapolis selected four social services groups to help run the [HIRED] program: Step Up Indianapolis, RecycleForce, PACE and Edna Martin Christian Center. Those groups will act as a sort of staffing agency for companies that participate and will help the workers acclimate to life outside jail or prison throughout their first months of employment."
January 6, 2018
Wilma Faye Taylor
The Biographer of our founder, Dr. Edna Mae Barnes Martin, passed away on January 6, 2018. She was 84. Wilma Faye Taylor was an Indianapolis native and a teacher and award-winning writer. As a young woman, she was seriously involved in the American Baptist Church and was mentored by Edna Martin herself.
Her biography of Edna Martin, Sister of the Solid Rock, was published in 2002. She also wrote four other books, notably This Train Is Bound for Glory and The Valley of the Blue Heron.
A faithful supporter to the last, her family requested that, “In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made … to the Edna Martin Christian Center” Click here to read the full obituary.
November 21, 2017
Thanksgiving, thanks to Darius Butler and the Colts Defensive Backs, was better for families at Edna Martin Christian Center.
One Hundred families had a better Thanksgiving thanks to Indianapolis Colt Darius Butler.
Using their own funds, Butler and several of the defensive backs have donated enough to buy all the ingredients for full holiday meals--including turkeys--for one hundred families associated with EMCC.
The Indianapolis Star covered the event. Click here to see their photos and a video on their website.
February 25, 2017
Taste of Martindale-Brightwood
February is Black History month, and that's the theme for Saturday's "Taste of Martindale-Bbrightwood" event.
It showcases the work of Culinary Arts students at the Edna Martin Christian Center. The instructor for the event and program Gina Fears, was a Eyewitness News Saturday Sunrise to give a preview of the event. Click here to watch the story on WTHR Channel 13.
September 7, 2016
City, Non-Profit groups Target Root Issues of Crime as Violence Continues
At the Edna Martin Christian Center, Tawnya McCrary and her staff provide some of those resources. She cautioned that the problem is complicated, and no two people are the same.
"Everybody’s situation is different, but I know it can be done. It takes time, it’s hard work, but there are jobs out here, a lot of jobs out here," McCrary said.
She said that people can become discouraged when they hear 'no' often, and might need help to figure out how to break the cycle, get a job, and support a family. Click here to watch the story on Fox 59 WXIN.
August 30, 2016
Merchandise Warehouse Expands, Provides Jobs to "Overlooked" Neighbors
One of Edna Martin Christian Center's many tracks in their Career Education and Training Academy program teaches fork-lift operation. And Merchandise Warehouse not only provides a venue for practical training, but frequently hires those who learned their skills at EMCC. Click here to see the story on Fox 59 WXIN.
