Indy East Side Youth Center Needs Assistance.

As I drive up and down down Michigan, Washington and New York Streets in Indianapolis, I cannot count the number of burned out buildings or grafiti signs along the way. I feel like I am in a war zone and we are loosing the battle. And, by all rights, I am. The inhabitants of Indy's East Side live in the highest crime area in the city. Recent crime sweeps have netted 90 prostitution arrests in one weekend alone. Indy has a murder rate that rose 40 percent from 2005 to 2006. The arson rate is more than double the national average and violent crimes are 1.5 times the nationals average. As I drive home each night I am witness to police chases and drug deals. Yes, I am driving through a war zone and we are loosing the battle. Who will be the causalities of this war? Those at highest risk are the youth in this area. So, I decided to stop by a small youth center in the area where I see boys playing hoopball each day.

I took some time this afternoon to interview Dora Chestine, the founder of the Little Disciples Youth Center. She said she had taken over the center four years ago. She proudly informed her center serviced an area from 10th and Washington, and between Sherman and Linwood, but no child would be turned away. As I viewed the small center, I tried to imagine where she would seat the 40-60 youth she said her program served each day. She said they often lacked seating but served a dinner meal every day at 5 O'clock.

This struggling bare roots youth center is located in one of the highest crime rate areas in Indianapolis. The mission of the program, a not for profit volunteer organization, is dedicated to lifting the lives of poor and disadvantaged youth and adults. The goal for this organization is to be a catalyst for 100% literacy. The center offers a safe haven for healthy recreation, athletic activities, socializing, educational programs, and personal growth opportunities for youth and their families int he Indianapolis area. As they succeed with their mission, they help disadvantaged youth exercise control in their life. The services of the center are not limited the youth and their family. They have programs that reach many of the area disadvantaged.

Ms. Chestine and President Soma Ewing took time to discuss the center's programing needs. They described a program called "Indiana Rocks." This program consisted of an hour of educational programing each day where youth participated in programs to prevent peer pressure, drugs, violence and tobacco use. Following the educational component there was an hour of activities that varied each day. Some of the activities consisted of arts, crafts, sports and games. Ms. Ewing was cutting out pieces to play a bingo stress reduction game. She said she usually had the kids cut out the materials but they were short of scissors.

Ms. Chestine said they had more boys participate in the center. When asked she thought the reason for that was, she said more girls were required to be at earing money babysitting or caring for their siblings. She said the center was in need of more programing directed to the needs or area girls.

Ms. Chestine said that the center provided a program called "Brain Hurricane" that offered some tutoring as part of the "No child Left Behind Program." On every second Monday a volunteer from Kenny's Academy of Barbering came in to help the youth with hair care needs. Ms. Chestine said the on the 3rd Thursday the center was opened as a food pantry for those in need of food. Ms. Chestine was enthusiastic whens he announced that tomorrow at 4:30 the the center would be celebrating their 4th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and providing a meal for anyone in need.

As I looked at the cluttered worn card table that serves as Ms. Chestine's desk, I asked if the center had a list of needs. She said she was in need of tutors and funding. She said she had had some help with writing a small grant but was not having much success with grant writing one her own. She said her prayer list included a corporation or a suburban Church to adopt the center so they could keep their doors open another year. They were also in need of volunteers. Ms. Chestine said because it was a youth center that all volunteers would have to be screened and that the center does criminal background checks.

I looked around and though the center had some immediate needs that could be fixed with some small donations and manpower. The center is in need of a coat of paint and some new flooring. Ms. Chestine said she would really like a tile floor that would be easy to mop. She said some of the boys at the center would benefit from the building trade experience. As I spied one very old PC one which the boys played a football game, I felt the center was in need of some donations computer equipment.

I intervened the youth at the center to find better understand their needs and the boys all said food, football and cable TV. I guess boys will be boys. Ms. Chestine said the youth were very influence by TV and their interests included modeling, fashion, singing, dance, theater, and learning to play guitar or keyboard. Ms. Ewing and Ms. Chestine said they were in need of volunteers to help provided this kind of programing. Ms. Ewing said if they had a van they could provide more field trips to the museum and other cultural events.

So, in closing I asked Ms. Ewing and Ms. Chestine for a wish list. This list includes the following:

Corporate or Church funding so they can keep the doors open another year.
A bigger building with a kitchen and a separate activity room.
A working van for transportation.
Paint, tiles, and manual labor skills.
Tutors and Volunteer to help provide programing.
Computer equipment.
Musical Instruments.
Art Supplies of all kinds.
Craft Supplies.
Bingo Supplies.

For those who would like to make contribution contact: The Little Disciples of Christ Youth Center is located at 4306 East New York Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46201. 317-322-2371.