The Julian Center

The Julian Center is the largest and most comprehensive provider of services for domestic abuse survivors in Indiana. It is a nonprofit agency providing crisis intervention, collaborative advocacy, shelter, housing options, case management, counseling, and education for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking.

The Julian Center was founded by community leaders, including Reverend Canon Tanya Vonnegut Beck and the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, in 1975. The agency was originally named the Julian Mission. It provided information and referrals to women in crisis, in particular after sexual assault or domestic violence. The center expanded services and founded the Julian Center Counseling Center in October 1978. The Julian Center opened the first domestic violence shelter in central Indiana in 1982. Its location was confidential.

In 2001, The Julian Center opened a new shelter, transitional housing program, and counseling center at 2049 N. Meridian Street and made its location public. The Julian Center entered into an agreement with the City of Indianapolis to co-locate the domestic violence investigative unit of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. In 2003, the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative recognized the Julian Center as a best practice model agency.

The Julian Center in 2010 responded to increased demand for housing with a new complex of 71 permanent housing units, Julian Thirty-Four North, at 3400 N. Meridian. In 2017, the center founded Project Avery to focus on intervention and prevention efforts for youth and young adults impacted by domestic or sexual violence. The program is the first of its kind in Indiana. Partners include IMPD, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence Network (DVN), Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Indiana Youth Group (IYG), Jewish Community Center (JCC).

The Julian Center shelters, serves, and feeds more than 100 people each night. Since its founding in 1975, the center has assisted over 66,000 people and educated over 350,000 others on the impact of intimate violence. It operates a 24-hour emergency hotline at the shelter location, which fields approximately 30 calls daily. The center operates Thrifty Threads, a second-hand store that sells donated clothing and household items.

The Julian Center serves survivors of all gender identities/expressions, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, religions and regardless of their immigration status.