Thousands of Indianapolis area children as young as three years old are at great risk. Too young to be helped by school systems, many of them live in dangerous environments of neglect, abuse, drugs, violence or worse. The risk is that their ability to learn, socialize and grow into typical happy children can be damaged by the severe stresses they’re exposed to.

St. Mary’s Child Center is a not-for-profit education center that is focused on helping young children who are at great risk for a wide range of social, emotional, economic and environmental problems and whose needs are not being adequately met by any other private or public service.  The St. Mary’s Child Center experience gives these children a positive educational and emotional environment. Together, they can begin to normalize their lives, contribute socially and learn alongside other children their age.

St. Mary’s Child Center is a not-for-profit education center.

• St. Mary’s Child Center is a not-for profit education center, headed by an Executive Director who works closely with an Advisory Council. The Advisory Council provides business and policy direction to the agency and is responsible for raising revenue to provide financial support.

• St. Mary’s Child Center was formed in 1961 to serve the needs of young children who have “fallen through the cracks” of private and public social services. Part of our mission is to preserve reverence for the life and dignity of every single child.

• St. Mary’s Child Center receives its funding from private donations, grants and program fees.

• One-hundred percent of St. Mary’s Child Center proceeds go directly into day-to-day operations.

• Every member of the St. Mary’s Child Center education center – from full time staff to volunteers to “Godparent” supporters – is passionately committed to the cause of giving the young children we serve a fighting chance in life…because we think society cannot afford to ignore the needs of even a single child.

• St. Mary’s Child Center also operates a Diagnostic Clinic for school-aged children.

• No child has ever been denied services at St. Mary's Child Center for financial reasons.

Begin…before the inevitable happens.
Make a difference. Choose to help these young at-risk children. Become involved, in some way, with St. Mary’s Child Center.