Modeled after the strong academic traditions of British day schools, St. Richard’s provides Indianapolis-area students with an inclusive liberal arts and sciences education, coupled with a respect for values, diversity and community involvement. Since its opening, St. Richard’s School has lived its mission of providing students with “knowledge and values for a lifetime.” It’s all part of St. Richard’s five pillars of student success: classic curriculum, leadership, civic responsibility, global readiness and faith.

Initially founded by Trinity Episcopal Church, the school is now an independent Episcopal school that serves a diverse population. The commitment to serving all segments of the community is a proud part of the school’s heritage. St. Richard’s School was a pioneer in school integration, choosing to open its doors to students regardless of race. The school continues to provide a welcoming environment to a variety of families. The current student body is racially and ethnically diverse, including students from more than sixteen countries. Eighty percent of the students claim religious denominations other than Episcopal, and the school provides extensive financial assistance to families who demonstrate need.

Beyond the birthday party, several activities are planned the week of September 13 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary, including a Eucharistic chapel with the Right Reverend Catherine Waynick, Bishop of Indianapolis; a homecoming luncheon for former teachers and staff; and Founders Day reception, where the Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Alumni will be named.  The week culminates with Fete, an all-school carnival, followed by a casual dinner. To learn more about the Anniversary Celebration or about enrollment at St. Richard’s School, go to www.StRichardsSchool.org or call 926-0425.

MFCDC celebrates its 25-year anniversary this year and is hosting a 25th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Luncheon at the Marrot Apartment’s Grande Ballroom  at 2625 North Meridian Street from NOON to 1:30 PM on April 15. The theme is “Roots and Shoots.” MFCDC will recognizing its Roots (all the people, partners, and supporters who have gotten them to where they are today)  and celebrating the Shoots (all the wonderful things that have grown in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood throughout the years)!

Angela M. Brown, internationally-acclaimed soprano and former Mapleton-Fall Creek resident, will be the keynote speaker. She is a testament that wonderful things happen in the neighborhood!

Lastly, MFCDC will look ahead to the future. “As MFCDC prepares to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are encouraged by new trends and renewed interest in the area, and we move forward with a greater confidence that the neighborhood’s potential can be achieved as we work together with our neighbors, partners, and community stakeholders,” comments MFCDC Executive Director Jackie Nytes. “Our anniversary celebration and annual luncheon unites everyone in our shared desire to strengthen and preserve the treasures of the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood.”

Join MFCDC at their 25th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Luncheon! Registration is required. RSVP at http://mfcdc.org/25annniversary.aspx before April 1. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Contact Brooke at 923-5514 or brooke@mfcdc.org.

The process began with the development of a vision statement for the neighborhood:  a long-term view describing how HMP would like to be defined in the future. The board came up with the following vision:

• Historic Meridian Park is a vibrant, safe neighborhood with a strong sense of community and connectivity.
• The social fabric of the neighborhood promotes respect for diversity, helping one another, and pride in our homes.
• Residents of all ages enjoy the unique benefits of living in a historic downtown community and are involved in shaping its future.

With the vision statement in place, the board went through a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of HMP. From there, the board determined priorities for the neighborhood and created goals to be accomplished within the next 5 years in support of making the vision reality.

The board is currently meeting to find ways to break down those goals into specific action items. Updates on HMPNA’s strategic plan will be included in future editions of the Meridian Park Mirror.

Upon completion, the property—which is owned by Trinity Episcopal Church —will serve up to seven homeless teens who are pregnant or parenting and their children. The structure had been divided into four living units, but renovations are transforming it into a seven-bedroom home while maintaining or reviving some of its original architectural features. A small fenced area with a playground is also planned. Work should be completed in 4 months.

Project Home Indy’s goal is to provide a nurturing residential environment to enable homeless teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting to gain self-sufficiency. HMP’s residents are invited to follow the project’s progress at projecthomeindy.org and Facebook.

HMP’s alleys are cleaned twice a year as a service of the neighborhood association. While membership dues help pay for some of the cleaning supplies and the occasional packer truck rental, HMP relies on the dedication of volunteers to provide the labor needed to beautify our alleys. HMP sincerely appreciates the help of everyone who lent a hand!

The MNFP is the second-largest food pantry in the metropolitan Indianapolis area. According to MNFP Board President Karen McCune, this new location provides easy access to bus routes so clients can reach it easily. There’s also plenty of free off-street parking for those who drive. The new home provides more space for all operations and the opportunity to offer clients a “shopping” experience when selecting food and other items.

The mission of the MNFP is “to enhance the health of our mid-north neighborhoods by providing supplemental food and basic necessities to our neighbors in need.” Its service area extends from 22nd Street on the south, 52nd Street on the north, Boulevard Place on the west, and Andrew J. Brown Boulevard on the east. It currently serves more than 2000 individuals – that’s more than 500 families – each month. These figures represent a significant increase over previous years. According to LaTasha Mobley, pantry manager, there’s every indication that this trend will continue. MNFP operates on a shoe-string budget so the bulk of its funding can be channeled into providing food for neighbors in need. Mobley, as pantry manager, is the only paid employee. An all-volunteer staff carries out many pantry operations.

Formerly located at 3421 N. Park Avenue (on the east side of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church), the pantry had several homes over the years. The first was a closet at Broadway United Methodist Church, followed by a brief sojourn at Our Redeemer (where the Family Drop-In Center is now). Next, the pantry was situated in the basement of the original building that’s now part of Raphael Health Clinic for several years. It moved back to Our Redeemer in 2000 and remained there until August 1, 2009 when the move to 3333 N. Meridian was complete.

The Mid-North Food Pantry had its beginnings in the 1970s with the formation of the Mid-North Church Council, then called simply the Tri-Church Council. As the membership of the Council increased and the name changed to Mid-North Church Council, the number of church-based food pantries serving the neighborhood also grew. In the early 1980s, the member churches determined that the small food pantries of each congregation could better serve the Mapleton-Fall Creek area by combining their resources and establishing a single, central outlet for food, household items, and some clothing. It has been called the Mid-North Food Pantry ever since, receiving its 501(c)(3) designation as a non-profit, faith-based agency in 2003. It remains the only Affiliated Agency of the Mid-North Church Council.

Main support for the pantry is provided by the eight member churches of the Mid-North Church Council. Other churches, faith-based groups, schools, and business groups give additional funding. Food drives by organizations supplement scheduled donations. To keep up with the increased volume of need, the rising cost of food, and the commitment to provide nutritious food for clients, the Pantry always welcomes additional support. Because its purchasing power as a pantry is greater than that of most individuals, cash contributions carry the biggest bang, but food donations also help round out the menu of offerings. If you’d like to donate to this important cause, send your checks (made out to Mid-North Food Pantry, Inc.) to Mid-North Food Pantry, 3333 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. To volunteer or donate food, contact Mobley at or (317) 924.7900 or manna3421@aol.com.

HMP residents cheered, chalked streets, made more than 50 inspirational signs, and played music to motivate the 2,945 runners and walkers participating in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 7. The half marathon participants ran and walked through HMP along Washington Boulevard and Pennsylvania Street between 30th and 34th Streets.

Many participants expressed their appreciation to neighbors for their warm welcome. According to one participant who contacted HMP through its website: “…it was such a pleasant surprise and so uplifting to see the welcome messages, yard signs, chalk drawings, and cheering neighbors as we trudged through your streets. Thank you so much for supporting us, and please know how much it means to the runners and walkers to hear your words of encouragement and to see your waves and smiles. What a great way to get your community together, and we all appreciated it so very much. Thank you!”

“The day was beautiful and the cause — our public schools — was a wonderful reason for us all to come together,” said long-time HMP resident Lorraine Phillips Vavul. “We feel very lucky that the half marathon chose to come down two of our three main thoroughfares.”

“We love the opportunity to show off our neighborhood,” summarized HMP President Doug Day. “We truly appreciate the support of neighbor Gretchen Turner who spearheaded our neighborhood’s supportive efforts for the marathon.”

See all of our pictures.