CONTINUUM OF CARE
Providing hope and support for all
Breaking the cycle of poverty requires more than money or resources. We often say that it isn’t a lack of resources; it’s a lack of access. For our neighbors living in poverty, this requires a significant shift in perspective physically, emotionally, spiritually, and academically. All that starts with an authentic relationship. That’s why Shepherd works to build relationships with our neighbors across a Continuum of ages and stages of life, walking alongside them as they move from poverty to stability.
AGE 0-3
Project Jordan
Through personal visits, group meetings, and regular screenings, Shepherd supports mothers and helps babies develop foundational skills.
AGE 0-11
Shepherd Community Early Learning at Minnie Hartmann
Flexible full-day, before- and after-school care that builds children up with joyful learning in a safe, supportive environment from 6 weeks old through kindergarten. Click here to learn more.
Pre-School (K4) – 5th
Shepherd Community Academy
Our Christ-centered primary school supports each child’s physical, emotional, academic, and spiritual development. Click here to learn more.
1st-12th
After-School/Summer
After-School serves elementary students grades 1st through 6th, while 7th through 12th graders attend E2E. Summer EXCEL is for students entering grades 1st through 6th while Summer YLIFe is for students entering grades 7th through 12th, with a greater focus on career and employment.
POST-HS
Education to Employment (E2E)
In partnership with neighborhood middle and high schools and churches, E2E After-School programming is for students grades 7th through 12th, focusing on tutoring, college and career, mentoring, business and college visits, and community with their peers. Click here to learn more.
POST-HS
College Access
Shepherd connects students to college through college visits, scholarships, financial aid, community connection, and physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic mentoring and support.
NEIGHBORS
Food Access
Feeding the hungry is about more than simply handing out food. It is about meeting our neighbors’ daily physical, emotional, spiritual, and academic hunger needs. That all starts with physical hunger. We can only meet these needs through relationships.
Food Pantry – Saturdays 8:30 – 10:30 am
Mobile Pantry – 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month from 3 – 5 pm, a drive-through pantry for Shepherd to load food into our neighbors’ vehicles.
Deliveries – Partnering with Gleaners Food Bank, we make 300+ deliveries Monday – Thursday to our neighbors without access to reliable transportation or access to the grocery store.
Weekend Packs & Holiday Totes – thanks to key partners, Shepherd sends home food with students when they are not in school to make sure no child goes hungry in our programming.
NEIGHBORS
Kitchen
Shepherd’s Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to our Shepherd Community Academy, Shepherd Neighborhood Childcare at Minnie Hartmann, After-School, and Summer EXCEL & YLIFe programming. Lead by an executive chef and incredible staff and volunteers, our Shepherd Kitchen serves an average of 65,000 meals annually.
NEIGHBORS
Community Connection
Shepherd empowers our neighbors by encouraging meaningful relationships. Through neighborhood meetings, surveys, block parties, events, and building relationships, Shepherd is committed to deeper connections with all neighbors.
NEIGHBORS
Mental Health, Trauma, & Addiction Care
Shepherd is committed to supporting our neighbors’ physical and mental health, offering monthly support groups on trauma and domestic violence, counseling services, and a weekly Christ-centered recovery program for those struggling with hurt, pain, or addiction of any kind. We also provide our Shepherd Community Academy students with added support counseling.
NEIGHBORS
Shalom Project
A true partnership with an IMPD Officer and IEMS medic, we take Shepherd directly to our neighbors, developing relationships, providing health and safety, and connecting them to Shepherd resources.
NEIGHBORS
Center for Working Families
Through our Family Engagement programming, Shepherd comes alongside our adult neighbors to help in critical areas, including financial & income supports coaching, continuing education, job fairs, budgeting and financial classes, skills training, employment coaching, and housing assistance.
NEIGHBORS
Interns/Fellows/Bridge Program
Our programming is not just to serve neighborhood children and their families. Shepherd Community Center is about teaching the next generation about poverty, ministry, leadership, authentic community, and giving hands-on experience through summer internships, yearlong fellowships, and a college bridge program that gives a college education alongside ministry work. Click here to learn more.
