Brookside Community Development Corporation

Since Brookside Community Development Corporation resides in the heart of the Brookside neighborhood, the residents have begun seeking refuge at their doors since their inception in 2016. Several of the individuals/families residing in the historic Brookside Neighborhood have been experiencing hardships and continued to exist in this vicious cycle of generational poverty since the end of World War II. As a result, the neighborhood has seen a dramatic increase in crime, housing deterioration and underperforming schools. Therefore, as BCDC works to build trust in their community, their three initiatives (reentry, play and housing) have begun reducing the vicious cycle of generational poverty that has paralyzed the residents over the years.

Each initiative of Brookside Community Development Corporation was created to meet the unique needs of their neighbors.

Additionally, a guiding principle for BCDC is to not duplicate services, but partner with organizations and faith communities on the Eastside of Indianapolis to share resources and referrals that are already doing good work for the betterment of the neighborhood.

Brookside Community Reentry (BCR) serves over 100 men and women in their reentry goals to never return to prison by assisting in overcoming barriers to successful reentry.
Brookside Community Play (BCP) serves low-income children and youth through play-based afterschool and summer programming.
Brookside Community Housing (BCH) serves generationally poor families and individuals who show a desire for stabilization in housing and high accountability in development.

Brookside Community Development Corporation has eight full-time employees, with four AmeriCorps VISTA members that joined this fall working at full-time capacity for a year. Additionally, BCDC has nine part-time employees.

Brookside Community Development Corporation exists because of an amazing network of volunteers that have continually dedicated their time and energy in pouring into the individuals participating in programming through BCDC.
Additionally, Brookside CDC has cultivated generous partnerships with organizations throughout Indianapolis that lend their expertise and resources to aiding in rehabilitation and renewal of program participants.

From the 2017 BCDC Impact Report, 143 people are utilizing the reentry services, 250+ are coming and participating in afterschool and summer play and 11 individuals are residing in housing properties owned and operated by BCDC.

In order to continue to serve individuals and grow the program, it will require more volunteers. BCDC plans to sustain and expand partnerships, volunteers, donors, etc. in the community. Additionally, Brookside plans to continue pursuing funds and cultivating relationships in the community as the program expands to meet the high needs of individuals participating in programming.