THE CONCORD NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER PROJECT
About the Project
Curated by Varshini Balaji, Allison Baker, Caroline Ammon, Sarah Freeman, Cecilia Gomez, and Biliana-Maria Marcheva, this virtual project began as a research inquiry towards the question, “How has the purpose and the programming of the Concord Center changed throughout its history?”
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Throughout the project, we expanded our research to pursue the questions of: “How did the Concord Center impact the values, beliefs, and social connections of the local community?” and “What are the lived experiences of the people who grew up with these programs?”
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Our goals with this research were to culminate all of our findings together in the form of one final product that showcases our research, teamwork, and ingenuity. In a supplement to the exhibition created by the Museum Studies students, our group reached our goal of creating a website where we could publicize our research. We aimed to include audio and visuals from interviews, which people can stream and listen to. Our vision was to honor the studies of the original Neighborhood of Saturdays project led by Dr. Susan Hyatt in 2011.
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The website includes additional information, an overview of the Concord Center, and context for the time periods covered in the research interviews and digital ethnographical research our group conducted. Additional resources that did not make it into the final product of the Museum Studies class are showcased on the website. Our goal is for links to the website to be shared with community members and posted to the Concord Center website.
Furthermore, the project’s research was synthesized into a digital story created by group member Biliana-Maria Marcheva. The video dives further into the effect of the Concord Center on the youth of the Indianapolis Southside and dissects how the Concord Center cultivated a sense of community and provided opportunities for the neighborhood youth.
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As you read through the following quotes you will notice that some voices mention the Concord Center while others mention the Communal Building. This is because the Concord Center was once a Jewish settlement house, but transitioned into the Concord Center in 1946. Navigate to the History Timeline to learn more abut this history!
Voices of the Staff
“The biggest lesson is that clients just want to feel comfortable and welcome. I think that Concord is a very welcoming environment. The minute you walk through the door, people are waving and saying hi at you. It’s just the simple things that mean the most to clients. They just want to feel like a person.”-Sonya Cork
“Concord is just one of those magical places that kind of takes you back to the old school and the old days, where communities were very well connected and people were out and they just needed a place to meet, gather, and have resources.” -Lynn Rogers
“Working here (Concord Center) is like working with the family. We’ve all kind of grown up here and its basically my second home.” -Dana Orr
"Because we like to think of ourselves as “home away from home,” I think families see that we really are here to help them and be their family. The stability, the comfort, knowing what is expected and required, I think families like that."-Lynn Rogers
Lynn Rogers with child. Photo taken from Indy Star.com
Children climb aboard the Concord Center Bus.
Image courtesy of Neighborhood of Saturdays collection
Southside elders climb out of the Concord Center Bus after a tour of the neighborhood. Image courtesy of Neighborhood of Saturdays collection
Nikki Girls, Executive Director of the Concord Center, plays a game with children at the Concord Center. Image taken from Indianapolis Star
Voices of the Community
"I think the Communal Center, it’s promoting being a good neighbor to both the black community and the white community and I think the most important thing about it is to observe both communities in their respective nationalities... I hope whoever’s using the Communal Building for what it stands for. You know, I think there should be more… I don’t hear of a lot of other communities where they promote good fellowship."-Annie Calderon
"I think the Communal Building was responsible for making the Jewish teenagers and the Christian teenagers get along...You know, to this very day, I’ll run into someone at the grocery store or shopping center who I grew up with, and maybe I haven’t seen them for 10 or 20 years or so, but I remember who they are because I grew up with them. We were all in the same boat where nobody had more than the other, all our perents were hardworking immigrants and we learned to get along with our fellow men."-Annie Calderon
"The Communal Building was a wonderful place, it was a safe space for all of us. It was a way to open the world up to us. And everyone looked out for each other. We went to girl scouts, dancing, and social activities. I never distinguished a person for their race or religion. In our community, if you were a good person and we liked you, our door was open."-Sadelle Ray
A kindergarten class in the log cabin by the Communal Building, 1935. Image courtesy of the Neighborhood of Saturdays collection.
Immigrant women participate in a citizenship class at the Communal Building. Image courtesy of the Neighborhood of Saturdays collection.
“We were different colors, different races, different ethnic backgrounds and as I say we still managed to have a small community that was functioning well and friendly and enjoyable.” - Judge William Levy
“Concord is deep in my heart. It is always very dear to me. Concord has remained a tight provision and a positive constant. [Over time] it's gotten better... It was good times for me as a kid growing up. I'd recommend the Concord Center to every neighborhood.
We need places like the Concord Center in neighborhoods today.” - Miz Pete