Writer / Kara Kavensky
On October 8 at Meridian Hills Country Club, the Christamore House Guild will celebrate Reds, Whites & Brews, an event to support the Christamore House. Guild member and Event Chair Kim Troyer is leading the fundraising efforts.
The Christamore House Community Center has served the near westside Haughville community for over 111 years. In 1905, Butler University students Anna Stover and Edith Surbey opened Christamore House with the motto, “Improvement is the aim, friendship the principle.” Beginning with kindergarten, youth clubs, medical care for infants and home economics classes encompassed the early curriculum.
In order to support the efforts of the Christamore House, the Christamore Aid Society, now known as the Christamore House Guild, was formed in 1908.
“I love being a part at the Christamore House Guild because it’s a great group of women working together as a team to enhance the lives of children, families and senior citizens in the Haughville area,” shares Kim. “Working in this organization, you really feel like you’re making a difference in people’s lives.”
Today, the Christamore House includes an Early Childhood Education Program, After School Program, summer camps and a Senior Program. The Christamore House Boxing Club, which began in 1955, is still run out of the Christamore House and is an independent nonprofit.
“It’s all about the kids,” says Guild President Jennifer Mitchell. “The programming at the Christamore House is strong, providing children the early education they need to springboard into learning. The success of their alumni is a testament to the quality of programming.
“I have been involved with the CHG for five years. I decided to join the Christamore House Guild because I believe in the mission, and I like seeing how we make a difference in the lives of the wonderful families in the Haughville neighborhood!”
Earlier this year, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett presented his first State of the City address from the Christamore House auditorium.
“We selected Christamore House because of its long-standing quality service to the residents of the westside of our great City,” shares Mayor Hogsett. “In so many ways, it has been a place of transformation for our children, our youth and adolescents and their parents. By delivering that State of the City there, I hope we sent a message to the people of Haughville and throughout the rest of Indianapolis about how important the quality of life is to all ‘neighborhoods.’”
In 1985, Christamore House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Broad community support keeps the Christamore House operational, serving a deserving community.
“We are so grateful for the generous donations to the Guild, which enables us to support the Christamore House,” says Kim. “Our Guild is all volunteer, and we are always welcoming new members.”
Visit ChristamoreGuild.org to learn more about membership or how to donate.
