Our Programs
The Becky Schenck Early Childhood Education Center
The early years are the most critical years in a child’s life; experiences during this time have a lasting impact on their future. The Becky Schenck Early Childhood Education Center at the Christamore House is a Level 3 Paths-to-Quality facility that has the capacity to serve 20 children ages 3-5, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our program focuses on empowering children to acquire the skills they need to become creative problem solvers, lifelong learners, and responsible members of their community. Our student to teacher ratio is 10:1 and we utilize trained volunteers to give each child as much individualized attention as possible. Our blended curriculum focuses on Kindergarten readiness with emphasis in seven focus areas, including language, math/cognition, science, motor skills, creative arts, interaction with others, and computers. We also provide daily teacher/parent communication, family engagement events and above all- a passion for children.
For more information about our Childhood Education Center, please contact our Early Childhood Education Director at: makeda.stewart@christamorehouse.org.
Afterschool – L.E.A.P. (Learning Enhances Attitude and Perseverance)
Designed to provide children ages 5-13 with a safe and secure place to learn during after-school hours of 3:00-6:00 p.m. and all day during the summer. The specific goals of the programs are to:
Ensure the safety of children
Increase math and reading skills
Improve social skills through character building and community services
Improve nutrition levels by providing daily nutritious snacks and meals
Expose children to music and nurture their musical talents
Encourage the development of strong children who have the skills to make good decisions that positively affect their own lives and the lives of those around them
Expose children to computers
For more information about our Afterschool – L.E.A.P., please contact us at 317-635-7211 or email: latoya.pitts@christamorehouse.org
Postsecondary Readiness and Enrollment Program (PREP) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Experience Program
These programs offer youth participants the ability to gain greater insight into planning their future. The PREP Program offers opportunities to learn more about and receive assistance with all aspects related to applying to colleges, universities, technical and training institutions. Participants will visit local and intrastate colleges and universities. The STEM Experience Program offers opportunities to gain knowledge about STEM initiatives and career paths related to science, technology, engineering and math. Active participants in this program will also engage in real-world STEM related projects in an effort to give them a unique, hands-on experience where STEM initiatives are concerned.
For more information about our PREP and STEM Programs please contact us by phone at 317-635-7211 or by email at:
Family Strengthening Department
Christamore House understands that many of our neighborhood families are challenged by the affects of living in poverty and nearly all are at risk of becoming homeless. To meet their needs, we provide case management services, and provide emergency food and clothing, infant supplies, utility assistance, and referral services to families in need. We work with dozens of organizations to provide mental health counseling, domestic violence services, health services, and many others. In addition, we provide thousands of dollars in direct emergency assistance to the families served through the Community Emergency Relief Fund. We also receive Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing Program funds, allowing us to work intensively with clients and landlords, and make short-term housing and utility payments to keep families from becoming homeless.
For more information please contact Sandra Jones, Family Strengthening Manager at: saundra.jones@christamorehouse.org
Seniors
This program is designed to provide seniors with regular opportunities for social interaction, enriching activities, hot and nutritious meals, health screenings and nutritional information, and field trips to local attractions. The program is based on the belief that senior citizens are happier and healthier when they have access to recreational and social activities. The program is offered weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., although field trip days end at 3:00 p.m. Because nearly all of the seniors who participate in our program are living on fixed incomes, there is no program fee. Over 100 seniors are in the program and approximately 35 seniors participate daily. For more information about Seniors program, please contact: info@christamorehouse.org
Christamore House Boxing
Our historical boxing program provides mentorship and a creative outlet for physical exertion. The program has been operating at the Christamore House for decades. Many prolific boxers have come through our doors having boxed in our regulation boxing gym. Weekly, dozens of young people interact with positive role models, receive tutoring, and become stronger in character.
Christamore House Afterschool Program
Christamore House has provided after-school programming since its inception. What makes our particular programming unique is that no other youth based programming in the Haughville neighborhood consistently provide academic, social development, and recreational services to such a large span of age groups at little to zero cost to the families. We are the only center in our area that has an on- site STEM Lab and free open gym to our teen population on a daily basis. Additionally, our program leverages partnerships with parents to increase parental involvement in the academic achievement of the youth participating in programs.
The core program components include: 1) Homework Assistance, 2) Reading Remediation, 3) Music Enrichment, 4) Fitness and Nutrition, and 5) Character Building. With the funding from Build A Bear Foundation our plan is to add two new components: 1) Environment & Nature, as well as 2) Community Involvement and Awareness; while enhancing the Team/Group Component and Building self- awareness and confidence.
House of Teen
House Of Teen provides on-going programming for 100 youth on a weekly basis. This program will operate from 4pm until 8:30pm Monday through Friday and once per quarter there will be a late night event that will last until 11pm on a Friday or Saturday evening. Each youth will have access to the Creative Expression Lab where they will build, create, and design, there will be a variety of Social Justice Workshops offered on topics such as: Healthy Relationships, Race Relations, Mental Health, LGBTQ Equality, Crime Prevention, Making Good Choices, Interfaith Religion, Cultural Diversity and Awareness, Community Service Learning projects that are youth selected and lead will take place during weekdays and weekends outside of programming hours, and Team/Group Work for multiple activities and projects.
Project MR. (Male Responsibility)
Christamore House, in partnership with the Center for Leadership Development (CLD) is offering Project MR. to young men in grades 7th thru 10th. The purpose of the Project MR. program is to equip, empower and prepare adolescent African-American males for achievement and success by teaching them the appropriate principles, behaviors, attitudes and values that lead to personal development and career success; to teach adolescent African-American males how to be responsible, self-believing, achieving men in society. This is achieved through exposing the “Misters”, as they are referred to, to educated, upstanding and caring African American male professionals who serve as the facilitators of this program. Project MR. will be held at the Christamore House every Thursday from 5:30pm-8:00pm. If you are interested in this program, please contact email Bailee.Holt@christamorehouse.org
Christamore House Baby Pantry
We believe no family should be left behind. The Baby Pantry is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. We offer the following to families for free:
Diapers (Sizes 0-5T)
Wipes
Formula
Family and Individual Support Services
For assistance, please call 317-635-7211, email info@christamorehouse.org
Christamore House Food Pantry
Located on the Michigan Street side of Christamore House (across from the bus station) we have family food boxes, canned goods, and a refrigerator with fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats that is stocked on a regular basis. All items are free and on a first come first basis.