A $50,000 Faith & Action Project grant helped Eastern Star Church’s ROCK Initiative adapt its re-entry strategy and connect more Indianapolis residents with employment, housing and legal resources.
| wdt_ID | At a glance | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Organization | The ROCK Initiative of Eastern Star Church |
| 3 | Location | The Arlington Woods neighborhood and ZIP code 46218 in Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 4 | Faith & Action grant | $50,000 awarded in 2018 |
| 5 | Grant focus | Double Forward re-entry strategy addressing eviction and recidivism |
| 6 | Community served | People returning from incarceration and residents facing barriers to housing, employment and legal support |
What is the ROCK Initiative?
Eastern Star Church launched the ROCK Initiative in 2017 to improve quality of life in Indianapolis’ Arlington Woods neighborhood. Its work centers on four connected priorities: community, housing, financial security, and education.
What did the grant help make possible?
The 2018 Faith & Action Project grant supported the Double Forward re-entry strategy. When structured workshops drew limited participation, ROCK leaders listened, adapted, and shifted toward a large community resource fair that brought services together in one accessible setting.
What outcomes were achieved?
ROCK’s decision to create the September 2019 Re-Entry Resource Fair became a turning point, significantly expanding participation and access to support:
- More than 120 people attended from 27 ZIP codes, including 46218.
- Fourteen partner organizations and employers provided on-site workforce, housing and legal resources.
- Eighty households received groceries, and local barbers offered free haircuts.
- The event strengthened neighborhood trust and expanded access to wraparound services.
Why does this matter to Indianapolis?
Programs cannot create change if residents do not feel invited, respected or able to participate. The ROCK Initiative’s pivot shows that effective community work requires more than a strong plan: it requires listening, trusted relationships, and the willingness to adapt. Bringing several supports into one welcoming place also reduces the time, transportation, and navigation barriers that often keep people from receiving help.
Quick Answers
How much did the ROCK Initiative receive from The Faith & Action Project?
$50,000 in 2018.
What did the grant support?
The Double Forward re-entry strategy, including access to employment, housing and legal resources.
What was the key turning point?
ROCK adapted from lower-attendance workshops to a Re-Entry Resource Fair that drew more than 120 people from 27 ZIP codes.
Read the Full Story
The full Impact Report explains how the ROCK Initiative’s adaptive leadership strengthened engagement and reinforced a lasting lesson: community change moves at the speed of trust. View the report to read more.
