Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Edna Martin Christian Center works in the diverse neighborhood of Martindale-Brightwood in Indianapolis. Demarcated roughly by the zip code 46218, Martindale-Brightwood is the poorest neighborhood in Indianapolis, and struggles with education, jobs, crime, safe housing, and access to food. And those are the areas that Edna Martin Christian Center seeks to address.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Out-of-School-Time Youth program
Before- and After-School programs during the school year that feature tutoring, homework help, social and recreational programming, and meals.
Senior program
Senior Citizens gather here for Bible Study, Exercise, and Bingo on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, respectively. There are also special events and outings.
Food Pantry
Groceries are available without cost once a month to those residing in the 46218 zip code. One-time exceptions are made for those living outside the boundaries
Career Education and Training Academy (CETA)
From remedial education to certification-based training for specific careers, CETA provides opportunities to start new career with better-than-average wages. Several career paths are available.
Where we work
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of students showing improvement in test scores
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Out-of-School-Time Youth program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the number of K-12 students who maintained or improved their Language-Arts or Math grades.
Number of students who exhibit kindergarten readiness
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the number of students who successfully graduated from our Pre-School program.
Number of students receiving homework help
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Out-of-School-Time Youth program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The number of students involved in our out-of-school time programs. This includes before- and after-school programs as well as spring-break and summer programs.
Number of program participants who receive a secondary school diploma or GED
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Career Education and Training Academy (CETA)
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The number of people who received an HSE diploma OR an industry-recognized credential or certification.
Number of participants who gain employment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Career Education and Training Academy (CETA)
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The number of people who gained new employment OR retained current employment through our training programs
Average change in client credit score
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Career Education and Training Academy (CETA)
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The number of people who improved their FICO credit scores
Number of clients who attain economic stability within two years of training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The number of people who improved their financial stability and increased their net worth
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Edna Martin Christian Center seeks to foster neighborhoods where individuals and families have everything they need to learn, live, work, and play in a peaceful, connected and thriving environment.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
• The USDA classifies Martindale-Brightwood as a "food desert", so to improve access to food we offer a food pantry every week day. We are also leading the effort (working with a handful of other non-profits) to begin a network of urban growing centers to offer handy access to fresh vegetables.
• Before Mrs. Edna Martin began working in this neighborhood in 1941, The Indianapolis Police Department found that 75% of the crime in the entire city happened in Martindale-Brightwood. Today, we still lead the effort to reduce crime by offering young people constructive out-of-school-time activities, initiating the Re-entry to Indy Program (RIP) to help ex-offenders re-integrate successfully into life on the outside, and we host Community Conversations in which neighbors can meet and talk with police in a non-confrontational way that fosters understanding.
• To address the need for education, we host before- and after-school programs the offer tutoring and homework help. At the same time, our youth workers show the Kindergarten through 12th-grade kids the value that education has, and how it open possibilities and offer them the a better life. When someone comes to EMCC needing help getting a job, we also offer any remedial education necessary.
• Housing will be addressed through the Martindale-Brightwood Education Zone's Housing Village, that will encompass a new housing development of approximately 50 single-family homes and new amenities.
• To help our neighbors find employment, our Career Education and Training Academy (CETA) provides certificate based, job-specific training.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Edna Martin Christian Center is the de facto leader among all non-profits of its type in the neighborhood, and it is so by virtue of being the oldest, most prominent, best positioned, most advantageously located organization in the neighborhood.
Among our many capabilities:
• Leadership. Tysha Hardy-Sellers has been Executive Director since 2008 and has cast an amazing vision for the entire neighborhood.
• Lofty Goals: Including the beautification of the neighborhood, construction of homes, creating jobs, preparing children for Kindergarten, and establishing a network of urban
growing centers.
• Recognition: EMCC has been consistently recognized by the community and the city for effective programs
• Institutional Backing: EMCC is a "Home Mission" of the American Baptist Church
• Support: Several of the city's biggest funders and many individuals continue to support EMCC programs and initiatives.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
• Developed a 25th Street Corridor Plan with Ball State University
• Completed a $3 million renovation of the former Jireh Sports site
• Secured matching funds for a façade improvement on 25th Street
• Launched the Generations Gardens program (Star Media grant) which has now grown to become the Martindale-Brightwood Food Resource Network
• Developed a scholar housing plan to be implemented in 2019
• Initiated Technical Assistance with BSU regarding a land trust
• Initiated Technical Assistance with the Urban Institute regarding Social Impact Funding
• Launched Community Voice— community news network
• Became a member of the Collective Impact Forum
• EMCC has initiated Entrepreneurship and Community Solutions Center that will help our neighbors begin new or grow established startup and scale-up businesses.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
EDNA MARTIN CHRISTIAN CENTER
Board of directorsas of 01/11/2021
Mr. Jay Geshay
Bosma Enterprises
Mr. Jay Geshay
Bosma Enterprises
Term: 2020 -
Richard Bray
IUPUI
Ronalda Minnis
Supply Diversity Manager
Lori Destrampe
Wolters Kluwer
Drake Crossley
Keller Williams Realty
Rodney Burns
Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
Valorie Cole
American Baptist Women's Ministries
Patricia Conner
Mike Morgan
Corteva Agriscience
Randy Pinegar
Boyd Pinegar and Associates
Jason Shelly
AIA Indianapolis
Lillie Evans
Beverly Allegretti
American Baptist Church
Crystal Hart
New Era Church
Soozi Ford
American Baptist Church, IN/KY
Joan Friessen
American Baptist Church, Greater Indianapolis
Barato Britt
Edna Martin Christian Center
Andrew Seibert
KIPP Indy Public Schools
Katie Tucker
Marian University
Christina Essex
Katz Korin Cunningham, PC
Natalie Weir
Major Tool & Machine
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/11/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.