Breaking Barriers. Building Independence. Changing Lives.
How we’re working to end poverty in Central Indiana, one life at a time.
Every family’s journey looks different. Some arrive needing food. Others need transportation, financial coaching, education, or simply someone who believes in them. Grace Care Center exists to meet people where they are and walk with them toward stability.
“It felt like you were ready for me.”
— Barrie, Care Center Friend
That sentence captures why strategic planning matters. Because families don’t schedule a crisis. When a neighbor walks through our doors, we want to be ready with the resources, relationships, and support needed to help them move forward.
Who we are
At Grace Care Center and the Grace Care Center Foundation, our unique approach is founded in our mission and our vision for the future.
Vision: To end poverty in Central Indiana, one life at a time.
Mission: We create the change needed in our community to end poverty.
Vision and Mission
Ending poverty requires more than meeting immediate needs. It requires compassion, partnership, resources, and a long-term commitment to helping individuals and families build stability.
What we do
The Grace Care Center Approach
Step 1: Immediate Needs
Meeting families where they are. Families first come to the Care Center during tough seasons, where they find emergency support through food and household essentials.
Step 2: Build Stability & Break Barriers
Removing obstacles that stand in the way. Many Friends continue on their journey toward independence with support services that offer stability and break barriers through assistance with transportation, financial literacy, and more.
Step 3: Lasting Change
Building skills, confidence, and independence. From workforce development through English Classes to mastering a budget and paying down debt in the Co-Op, Care Center volunteers help individuals build skills that lift families out of hardship and create ongoing stability.
Being ready for the next families
Barrie came to Grace Care Center looking for support. What she found was a community ready to walk alongside her.
“You were ready for me.”
Those words capture why strategic planning matters.
Families do not schedule a crisis. When a neighbor walks through our doors, we want to be ready with the people, programs, partnerships, and resources needed to help them move forward.
But readiness does not happen by accident.
It takes committed volunteers, strong partnerships, healthy systems, and intentional investment in the future.
Grace Care Center is not starting something new. We are strengthening what is already working.
Today, Grace Care Center:
Serves more than 600 families each week through the Choice Food Pantry
Distributes approximately 415,000 pounds of food annually
Provides wraparound services that address barriers beyond food insecurity
Engages more than 1,800 volunteers
Partners with churches, businesses, and nonprofit organizations throughout Central Indiana
The opportunity ahead is to strengthen the foundation behind this impact so we can continue serving neighbors well for years to come.
The impact is not just organizational. It is community-wide.
A stronger Grace Care Center means a stronger support system for families throughout Central Indiana.
Preparing today for tomorrow’s needs
In 2025, Grace Care Center and the Grace Care Center Foundation began a strategic planning process to strengthen our organization, maximize our impact, and prepare for the future.
Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan focuses on six priorities:
Volunteer Leadership & Development: Provide the best local volunteer experience to grow and retain volunteers.
Staff & Organizational Health: Develop and sustain a high-quality, empowered team.
High-Demand Services: Refine and scale services to reach more families.
Partnerships & Collaboration: Expand services through strategic partnerships.
Operational Excellence: Ensure continuity and strong systems across all programs.
Community Influence: Become a leading voice in addressing poverty in Central Indiana.
Looking ahead: Vision 2028
Through this strategic plan, Grace Care Center is positioned to deepen impact and serve more neighbors by 2028.
Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan focuses on six priorities:
Expand Choice Food Pantry capacity to serve more families
Grow English Classes and workforce development opportunities
Increase participation in Co-Op financial empowerment services
Expand transportation support
Explore future partnerships addressing additional barriers such as housing and mental health
Because every neighbor matters
Through the Grace Care Center Co-op, Barrie navigated financial barriers, built savings, and found support for her family
Today, Barrie and her daughter are thriving —and inspiring others in the community.
“If I hadn’t been in this program, I don’t know where my life would be,” Barrie says. “This has changed every part of our lives. From the inside out.”
- Barrie
Barrie’s story is one example of what happens when compassion meets preparation.
Strategic planning ensures that when the next family walks through our doors, Grace Care Center will be ready.
Ready to listen.
Ready to serve.
Ready to walk alongside them toward lasting change.