Historically Black churches in the 46203 zip code will receive a total of $375,000 over the next three years, thanks to a grant from Indiana University Health to Englewood Community Development Corp.
Englewood is working in collaboration with the U.S. Colored Troop Coalition, founded in 2021 by the descendants of the US Colored Troops, the first African-American soldiers in the United States during the Civil War. The Coalition is a community-based archive with a cultural heritage development and sustainability mandate.
According to a press release, the funds will be used to provide resources to the historical Black congregations for training to use their cultural assets to address social determinants of health.
“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.”
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.
* 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.
* South Calvary Baptist Church – A focus on workforce development and jobs preparedness, as well as addressing food access needs.
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.
