24-Hour Crisis Line: (317) 920-9320
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General Inquiries: (317) 941-2200
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2011 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
A History of Safety, Comfort & Healing
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 all survivors of domestic violence without discrimination
1975
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.
1978
The center expanded services and founded the Julian Center Counseling Center in October 1978.
1982
The Julian Center opened the first domestic violence shelter in central Indiana in 1982. Its location was confidential.
2001
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.
2003
In 2003, the President’s Family Justice Center initiative recognized The Julian Center as a best practice model agency.
2010
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.
2017
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).
2024
2024 was a year of growth within The Julian Center.
We relaunched our shelter volunteer program after a 4-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and hired a new volunteer coordinator.
We also brought on a Youth Enrichment Manager to expand our youth programming, which includes art therapy, robotics, tutoring, and other educational and therapeutic activities.
Additionally, we hired a full-time staff attorney to offer legal advice and representation for family law, immigration, protective orders, and various other legal needs.
Finally, we introduced the “A Place to Heal” Room Sponsorship Program, leading to sponsorships for two shelter rooms. Nonie and David Vonnegut-Gabovitch sponsored an individual room in memory of Nonie’s mother, Rev. Tonya Vonnegut Beck, an original founder of The Julian Center. Beazer Homes sponsored a family room for our survivors and their families. These contributions allowed us to update the furniture, flooring, paint, and décor, creating a more therapeutic and comfortable environment for survivors and their families.
2025
In 2025, our 2nd Thrifty Threads location will be open and ready to serve those in the Castleton area to further our mission.
Need Help? You Are Not Alone.
Call the 24-Hour Crisis Line (317) 920-9320.
Every Gift Makes an Impact
Your Donations Make Every Program, Meal Served, and Night's Stay Possible
The Julian Center empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence and creates a community where every individual is safe and respected. And we are proud to be the largest organization of its kind in Indiana.
Since 1975, we have assisted more than 66,350 people and educated over 365,750 others on the causes and effects of domestic and sexual violence and its impact on our community.
