At F.C. Tucker we talk a lot about “paying our civic rent,” so for the month of November, we would like to express our gratitude to the many organizations and individuals who serve their communities tirelessly and make Indiana a better place to live and work. We obviously can’t highlight everyone, but we would like to salute these 30 organizations that are making a difference.
30 Days of Thanksgiving – Day 9: Julian Center
The Julian Center is the largest organization for survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Indiana. The organization was created in 1975 with the mission to, “empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence and end the generational cycle of violence.” Their organization focuses on four main goals: safety, stability, self-sufficiency, and synergy.
The Julian Center offers services before, during, and after the individual leaves the traumatic situation. Before individuals receive services, the Julian Center is already available with their 24-Hour Crisis Line. Though they will defer to 9-1-1 in immediate danger situations, they are available to answer questions about the Center’s programs on a 24-hour basis. Additionally, the Center’s Sexual Assault Advocacy Program and the Law Enforcement Advocacy program allow the Julian Center to work directly with the local authorities to offer crisis intervention services to victims.
The most well-known aspect of the Julian Center is their emergency shelter facility located at 2011 N. Meridian Street in Indianapolis. In this facility, eligible survivors and their children are welcome to stay while they work with a Family Advocate to determine their next steps. At any given time, the shelter can house over 100 individuals nightly. Individuals may also participate in the Julian Center’s New Life Transitional Housing Program, allowing individuals to pay only a portion of their rent in an independent facility while still having access to the Center’s dining services and advocate services. For long-term housing, the Center has designed the Permanent Supportive Housing program.
Within the Julian Center’s main shelter facility, numerous services are offered to help the individuals begin to heal. The Center’s signature program is the Empowerment Support Program. This program is, “designed to support survivors throughout their journey to work toward financial and emotional autonomy and independence.” Supplementary programs include the 16-week Getting Ahead workshop and the 18-month Propel Indy program, focusing on life skills. The Center also offers various types of counseling including talk and art therapy to begin this process. Support groups are also available to individuals who do not want or need counseling services. After individuals have left the shelter, the Extended Support Advocacy program provides long-term care for up to one year and could include services such as child care, legal services, health insurance, and emotional support.
The Julian Center does not want to only be re-active, they want to be pro-active. The Julian Center frequently facilitates Community Engagement programs to, “raise awareness and/or educate the community about domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking.” They also raise awareness through their Thrifty Threads thrift store and car donation program.
