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Englewood Community Development Corporation receives $375K for Black congregations 

HANNA RAUWORTH
HANNA RAUWORTH
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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Indiana University Health awarded Englewood Community Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Southside U.S. Colored Troop Coalition, $375,000 over three years. 

The funds will be used to provide resources to historical Black congregations and train them to use their cultural assets to address social determinants of health on the south side. 

“Through these grants, we endeavor to provide historic U.S. Colored Troop Black Churches on the Southeast side with the resources and capacity to fulfill their community building aspirations,” said Josh Livingston, director of congregational engagement for Englewood Community Development Corporation. “Investing in the repair of USCT congregations will not only strengthen the communities themselves but also serve to bolster the imaginations of faith communities everywhere through mutual aid, interdependence and networks of shared abundance.” 

From left: Joe Bowling, executive director, Englewood Community Development Corporation; Josh Livingston, director of congregational engagement, Englewood Community Development Corporation; Kaila Austin, project lead for Southside U.S. Colored Troop Coalition; Felicia Brewer, associate project lead, Southside U.S. Colored Troop Coalition. (Photo/IU Health)

Four key neighborhoods in the 46203 zip codes will be within the scope. The following churches will use the funding: 

  • Bethesda Baptist: Plans to restart a food pantry with expansion into a Black owned farmer’s market using congregation members’ lots across the neighborhood. 
  • Greater Saint James Missionary Baptist Church: Refurbishing a home owned by the church for male residential substance abuse recovery. 
  • New Garfield Baptist Church: Repairs to the Bethel Center, a former church house used as a community center for 50 years. 
  • Stewart Memorial CME Church: Support in launching computer classes, financial literacy classes and health/wellness support. 
  • Our Hope Baptist Church: Support for crime prevention programming and opportunities to work with releasees from the Community Justice Campus for services including financial literacy programs and workforce development. 
  • Family Bible Church: Support in launching counseling services, financial literacy classes, peer support and community conversations. 
  • University Christian Community Church: Repairs to church building and preservation of land parcels. 
  • St. Mission Baptist Church: Developing a community garden program for youth and elders. 
  • Greater Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church: Capital investments for the development of affordable childcare facilities and a food pantry. 
  • New Vision Missionary Baptist Church: Support in legal aid, advocacy and expungement programs for community members. 
  • House of Victory Church: Expansion of job preparedness and employment opportunities; creating access for temporary and affordable housing. 

Indiana University Health previously announced that it has awarded $6.1 million to 12 community organizations to improve the lives of Hoosiers in need. The grants come from the $200 million Community Impact Investment Fund. 

This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/ 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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