Martin Luther King Community Center

History

The Martin Luther King Community Center originated in 1971 as the Butler Tarkington Multi-Service Center. In 1981, it was established and assumed the Butler Tarkington programs with an expanded service area that now includes the following neighborhoods:

Broad Ripple
Butler Tarkington
Glendale Castleton
Keystone Monon
Mapleton Fall Creek
Meridian Kessler
United Northwest

The Center's footprint area reflects tremendous demographic diversity, while its primary audience for direct service assistance is the working poor.

The Center is gaining recognition as one of the city's most progressive social service organizations with innovative services for all ages and audiences. A key distinction for the Center is its focus on the arts as a positive agent for change.

Who We Are

The nationally acclaimed Martin Luther King Community Center is the catalyst for creating positive social change in our neighborhoods. Sustaining the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we provide life-changing programs and through the use of arts, education and community collaborations. We are instrumental in engaging individuals and families in becoming a stronger community.

The Mission

The Center serves children and families through creative programs that promote hope, self-suffiency, responsibility, and a sense of community.

Creative programs which provide family assistance, life skills and leadership development.
Hope through arts-focused programming, client advocacy and broad-based education.
Sense of community by creating partnerships with various organizations that advocate for social justice and equitable services for all.

Strategic Priorities

Maintain unique, self-sustaining programs that define and meet the evolving family needs in our community.
Become an independent, stable and financially strong organization with the ability to fund current programs and new initiatives.
Develop and implement a strong marketing and public relations effort.
Attract and retain talented, well-trained, well-compensated staff to deliver the life-changing programs we offer.
Use appropriate measurements that validate the Center's effectiveness in our community.