Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Shepherd Community Center's Chief Learning Officer Tim Streett and Redeemer Presbyterian lead pastor Charles Anderson discuss how Christians can interact with love and kindness for their neighbors, friends, families and coworkers during a time of deep political polarization and tension.

Dr. Ben Carson, the famed neurosurgeon and former secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, discusses how ministries can help lift people out of poverty during his visit to Shepherd Community Center.

Executive Director Jay Height and Chief Engagement Officer Phil Edwards discuss Shepherd's collaboration with Indianapolis Public Schools to reduce students' stress and anxiety.

Executive Director Jay Height and Phil Edwards, Shepherd's chief engagement officer, discuss an innovative program the ministry has launched to improve students' mental health at an Indianapolis high school.

Executive Director Jay Height talks about key lessons he's learned about serving in ministry during 30 years at Shepherd.

Executive Director Jay Height and Tim Streett, Shepherd's chief learning officer, discuss why building strong relationships is essential for helping neighbors break the cycle of poverty.

Executive Director Jay Height and recently retired Grace Church teaching pastor Tim Ayres discuss how Christian leaders can thrive in ministry for decades.

Executive Director Jay Height and recently retired Grace Church teaching pastor Tim Ayres discuss how Christian leaders can thrive in ministry for decades.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses plans to celebrate Shepherd Community Center's 40th anniversary in 2025.

Executive Director Jay Height reviews the triumphs and challenges of 2024, including an increase in neighbors struggling with the high cost of necessities.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses opportunities to serve as Shepherd prepares to help our neighbors celebrate the holidays.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses Shepherd Community Center's history and its future as the ministry prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its launch.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses how a wave of violence is affecting our neighbors, our community and ministry leaders.

Executive Director Jay Height and Director of Housing Dennis Westlake discuss how Shepherd is working with partners in the community to address the urgent need for affordable housing in Indianapolis.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses Shepherd Community Center's growing partnership with Indianapolis Public Schools to meet students' physical and mental health needs.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses Shepherd Community Center's adult and children's literacy efforts, including its partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height discusses how government, businesses and ministries can work together to improve children's lives.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height casts a bold vision for the future of Indiana: how can the state become the best in the nation to raise a child?

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height interviews Phil Powell, executive director of the Indiana Business Research Center, on the economic impact of Shepherd's work in the community.  

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Shepherd's Director of Housing Dennis Westlake discuss the ministry's innovative efforts to help neighbors find affordable housing.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Shepherd's Director of Housing Dennis Westlake discuss how the lack of affordable affects neighbors in Indianapolis and through the United States.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height talks about the ministry's future as it prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height discusses how the church and the community need to respond to the surge in youth violence in Indianapolis.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Dave Miner of the Indy Hunger Network discuss the effects of inflation on low-income families.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Dave Miner of the Indy Hunger Network discuss why chronic hunger remains a persistent problem in Indiana.

Guests Frank and Obed Santiesteban discuss the growing challenges of ministering to people who struggle with substance abuse.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses ministry needs and opportunities surrounding migration, immigration and refugees with guests Frank and Obed Santiesteban.

Executive Director Jay Height explains how each of us can help overcome the epidemic of loneliness and isolation plaguing our neighbors.

Executive Director Jay Height discusses how Shepherd's partnership with Purdue University Northwest and the University of Southern California is leading to development of a virtual reality-assisted treatment program for young people dealing with chronic trauma.

Executive Director Jay Height explains how Shepherd is working with Indianapolis Public Schools to help families secure a good education for their children.

Shepherd Executive Director Jay Height discusses how spikes in rent and mortgage rates, along with rapid gentrification of urban neighborhoods, are hurting families as they struggle to pay for housing.

Executive Director Jay Height explains how Shepherd and its partners are helping families share positive experiences and build good memories together.

Shepherd Executive Director Jay Height discusses the continued challenges that many people in poverty face because of high food prices and increases in housing costs.

Shepherd Community Center Assistant Executive Director Andrew Green explores why so many students are missing so much school and how the community can help.

Assistant Executive Director Andrew Green discusses the challenges that people living in isolation face during the holidays and how Shepherd Community Center is helping them connect with their neighbors.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Assistant Director Tim Streett discuss both the necessity and the limitations of money in ending generational poverty.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Assistant Director Tim Streett discuss how building strong relationships and adopting a future-oriented mindset help neighbors break the cycle of poverty.

Shepherd Community Center Assistant Director Tim Streett, at age 15, witnessed the murder of his father as they shoveled snow in their driveway. Years later, Tim not only forgave his father's killers but built a lasting friendship with one of the men.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Assistant Director Tim Streett discuss the essential role that faith in a personal God plays in helping people escape poverty.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Indianapolis police officer Adam Perkins talk about how the Shalom Project team builds relationships with neighbors.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Indianapolis police officer Adam Perkins discuss how the Shalom Project team uses community policing to assist neighbors on the near East side.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and paramedic Shane Hardwick talk about the lifesaving help the Shalom Project team provided a 13-year-old shooting victim.

Shepherd's groundbreaking Shalom Project meets neighbors' needs where they live Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Indianapolis paramedic Shane Hardwick discuss the innovative assistance the Shalom Project team provides to neighbors in need.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height discusses the many challenges that families living in poverty face when schools aren't in session for the summer.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height discusses the health and well-being of children in Indianapolis in response to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's recent release of its annual Kids Count Data Book.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height discusses the root causes that lead to crime and what needs to happen to reduce the violence.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height discusses how high inflation, including a spike in housing costs, continues to force families to make hard choices.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Assistant Director Tim Streett offer encouragement and advice for young leaders serving in urban ministry.

Shepherd Community Center Executive Director Jay Height and Assistant Director Tim Streett discuss the complex factors that keep millions of Americans trapped in poverty. We learn that breaking free from poverty is much more than just money.

Jay Height concludes the exploration of 10 essential assets for breaking free of poverty with a discussion of the importance of being future oriented and why acquiring enough money to meet basic needs is increasingly difficult but necessary for sustained self-sufficiency.

Jay Height continues the conversation about the 10 assets that Shepherd Community Center's leadership has identified as essential for a person to leave poverty behind permanently.  This episode focuses on the importance of being able to advocate for yourself as well as the need to understand and function in the mainstream culture.