Indiana University Health awarded Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC) a $750,000 grant over the next three years to support community services and awareness.
The grant funding is through the Community Impact Investment Fund and will be used to support the Phase I renovation of 37 Place, a community services hub for Martindale-Brightwood residents.
Additionally, a portion of the funding will be awarded to the Indianapolis Recorder to expand community awareness of services offered. The partnership will focus on health outreach that is consistent with the Martindale-Brightwood Quality of Life Plan.
The funding is part of a $6.1 million investment awarded to community organizations for projects through 2027.
“At IU Health, our commitment goes beyond delivering world-class health care to our patients — we understand that overall health is shaped by more than medical care,” said Dennis Murphy, IU Health president and CEO. “Evidence-based research and our own experiences demonstrate that economic and social challenges, such as poverty, limited access to healthy food, inadequate housing and a lack of education options all play a significant role in the long-term health and well-being of local residents. By investing in organizations that address these critical needs, we can make a positive difference in the lives of Hoosiers and move closer to our vision of making Indiana one of the healthiest states in the nation.”
Renovated in 2012 through a partnership with the City of Indianapolis, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, United Way of Central Indiana and EMCC, 37 Place was transferred to EMCC in August 2024 through a redevelopment agreement with the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development.
“We’re grateful to IU Health for this investment, which greatly accelerates our ability to make 37 Place the true ‘Heartbeat of Martindale-Brightwood’,” said Barato Britt, EMCC president and CEO. “As we make necessary enhancements, our focus on service and access to critical resources remains, and we’re thankful to have partners like the Recorder ensuring our ability to amplify community awareness. We look forward to a robust partnership with IU Health in continued pursuit of our neighborhood’s goals.”
Phase I of the 37 Place renovation will focus on expansion of EMCC’s Early Childhood Education services, expanding food pantry services, updating systems and maintenance repairs. The efforts through the Indianapolis Recorder partnership will begin in summer 2025.
“Meaningful partnerships like this present essential, life-changing opportunities for our community,” said Robert Shegog, president and CEO of the Recorder Media Group. “Our collaboration with Edna Martin Christian Center and IU Health amplifies critical health outreach efforts that directly impact the well-being of Martindale-Brightwood residents. This partnership aligns with the newspaper’s mission to inform, empower and uplift our community; ensuring that vital resources and information reach those who need them most.”
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/
To read more like this, click here.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @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.
 a $750,000 grant over the next three years to support the community.){kind=link}