Our Work

Working together, Coburn Place offers compassionate support and safe housing choices to survivors of domestic violence and their children in the Greater Indianapolis area. Our vision is to illuminate a path forward to restore hope and promote healing. Everyone deserves a safe home.

We believe survivors can recover from the trauma of abuse and homelessness. With support, families can stop the cycle of domestic violence for generations to come.

We believe survivors are experts in their own lives. Children should be able to enjoy their childhood, to just be kids. Families should heal together.

Coburn Place is the largest domestic violence housing provider in Indiana, serving as a leader and convener for housing and domestic violence programs.

We are constantly evolving to be a top-tier program and a leader in the field of domestic violence programs to support survivors in the best possible way.  Survivors guide our programming with their feedback and they aren’t required to participate to keep their safe housing.

All of our services are built on the following frameworks:

  • Trauma-Informed Care

    Domestic violence and homelessness cause trauma that leaves a lasting impact on the brain. We work to understand the widespread symptoms and signs of trauma and adapt all aspects of our organization to acknowledge and make space for it.

  • Whole-Family Approach

    A whole-family approach offers parents and children healing services simultaneously. This helps restore the parent-child bond, creates lasting change and stops violence from continuing in families.

     

     

  • Housing First

    Survivors need safe housing first and we believe there should be very low barriers to accessing it. Our housing options should be safe, clean and feel like home.

  • Where it all begins
  • Coburn Place Housing
  • Healing Pathways
  • A Warm Goodbye

Match and Welcome

Survivors are referred to Coburn Place by domestic violence emergency partners and the city’s homeless system.

Where it all begins

Advocates connect with each referred survivor to assess. If our program is the best fit for them, they will be matched with Coburn Place safe housing.

Coburn Place Housing

Living at Coburn Place

Alongside housing, survivors are offered individual and collective support through resources, programming, advocacy, and more.

All opportunities are voluntary, adaptive and tailored to individual needs. Survivors may take advantage of all of them or only the ones most relevant to their own healing journey.

Tailored Support

  • Advocacy – Help goal-setting, safety planning, and navigating.
  • Flex Support – Focused legal, health and financial support.
  • Budget Busters – Tangible basic needs support.

Ways to Grow

  • Coburn Academy – Educational courses on career development, housing and personal finances.
  • Coburn Thrives – Programs to connect, create and feel joy.
  • Coburn Health – Wellness classes, therapy and retreats.

Family Connection

  • Coburn Babies – Holistic care for pregnant women and new moms.
  • Coburn Kids – Fun, enriching programs for school-aged kids.
  • Coburn Families – Support for parents and kids, together.

 

Healing Pathways

Launching the Next Chapter

At the end of their time at Coburn Place, survivors get support securing permanent housing, linked to additional resources, and invited to join a community of other alumni so they stay connected.

A Warm Goodbye
History of Coburn Place
1990s

1996 – Coburn Place is founded as a transitional housing program for survivors of domestic violence after a need was recognized in the community for safe, long-term housing options for survivors.

2000s

2006 – Coburn Place receives designation as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

2009 – The facility undergoes major updates, expanding the space of the Children's Services program in recognition of the importance of children's services.

2010s

2010 – Coburn Place implements a voluntary services model to promote client autonomy and choice.

2011 – Coburn Place adopts a no-rent policy to prevent clients from being evicted and to help them save for stable housing.

2013 – Coburn Place implements the overall well-being model and trauma-informed care model as part of their wrap-around services.

2014 – Coburn Place expands its inclusion criteria to include male and transgender survivors.

2016 – Coburn Place receives HUD funding to create a Rapid Rehousing (community-based housing) program to supplement its transitional housing (on-site) program.

2019 – Coburn Place introduces a multi-funded, low-barrier, Domestic Violence Housing First flex funding model to address barriers to housing stability for survivors.

2020s

2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic drastically increases the need for services and forces a mobile advocacy-only model.

2021 – Coburn Place celebrates 25 years of empowering survivors.

2021 – Coburn Place begins to welcome pets to lower barriers for survivors fleeing abuse and to help aid in their healing.

2021-2022 – Coburn Place redesigns both survivor housing programs for clarity and expands access to health and wellbeing services

Safe Home, Fresh Start: Lexi’s Story
Welding a Stronger Future: Kelly’s Story
Reclaiming Her Life After Seven Years of Stalking: Athena’s Story
Meet Colton: Future Basketball Star
Finding Safe Homes Is Her Job
From Homelessness to Homeowner: Diamond’s Story
A Blue-Haired Girl with a Lime Green Goal
One Driving Goal
She Has a Plan
Her Life Is Spinning In Control
Breaking Down Barriers
Turning Victims into Victors

Coburn Stories

Safe Home, Fresh Start: Lexi’s Story

Lexi is just beginning her fresh start at Coburn Place while juggling a new baby and an energetic 5-year-old. “I would leave him and go back and leave him and go back,” she says. “I’m not going back anymore.”

Read more

Coburn Stories

Welding a Stronger Future: Kelly’s Story

Last year, Kelly’s life changed in an instant due to domestic violence. Today, she’s working hard to heal and rebuild.

Read more

Coburn Stories

Reclaiming Her Life After Seven Years of Stalking: Athena’s Story

“I love me right now,” says Athena. “I like this new woman I’m becoming, and I like learning about myself. I’m learning what makes me happy and what my soul desires.”

Read more

Coburn Stories

Meet Colton: Future Basketball Star

“Colton is a smart, energetic, fun-loving little man,” says Children’s Service Coordinator Teia Sherrell. Learn more about him and how he’s grown at Coburn Place.

Read more

Coburn Stories

Finding Safe Homes Is Her Job

When it comes to helping survivors find safe housing, Tina Oatts is a force.

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Coburn Stories

From Homelessness to Homeowner: Diamond’s Story

Diamond’s journey has been remarkable. Motivated by her children, she worked hard to heal. Now, she owns a home.

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Coburn Stories

A Blue-Haired Girl with a Lime Green Goal

Opening up isn’t easy, but Annabelle, a teen living at Coburn Place, knows it’s important.

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Coburn Stories

One Driving Goal

“Samantha” had been trying for more than 10 years to get her driver’s license. Teaming up with Denise Saxman was just what she needed. “There’s some pride in that I helped this woman achieve this goal,” she says. “It’s a personal accomplishment for me, but it’s huge for her to make that big stride.”

Read more

Coburn Stories

She Has a Plan

“I don’t set long-term goals. I set three-month goals. I had all my goals for three months accomplished within two weeks of moving here.”

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Coburn Stories

Her Life Is Spinning In Control

“I know my value, period. I know who I am.” Survivor and small business owner Vikki Gladney once lived at Coburn Place. Now she’s at home on a bike.

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Coburn Stories

Breaking Down Barriers

“I was homeless for a year,” says Melissa. “It was hard and scary.” Now, she has safe housing and a job she loves.

Read more

Coburn Stories

Turning Victims into Victors

Meet the amazing women who run the Coburn Place support groups and learn how they help survivors and their children heal.

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Coburn Place used to be an old school?

Yes! Coburn Place was IPS 66, Henry P. Coburn. It opened in 1915 for students and closed in the late 1970s.

Do you only serve women?

No! Coburn Place serves all people impacted by domestic violence regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or religion.

How many apartments do you have on-site?

We have 35 apartments on-site – 15 studios, 15 two-bedrooms, and five three-bedrooms.

How long can clients receive housing support?

Survivors can receive housing support for up to two years.

How long is your waitlist?

We don’t have a waitlist. Survivors are generally referred to us as we have space by partner shelters and organizations or through the city. We can serve 35 families on-site and up to 25 families in the community at any given time.

Do you only serve clients in Indianapolis?

We serve clients in Central Indiana – Marion County and the surrounding counties.

I'd like to donate home goods! How do I do that?

First, thank you! We rely on supporters like you to ensure that all apartments are furnished with families move in and that we can assist with budget-stretching pantry needs during their time at Coburn Place.

 

You can go to Donate Goods page to learn more, and fill out the Donate Goods Inquiry Form to start the process!

Where does your funding come from?

Our funding comes from a mix of federal, state and private foundations as well as individual donors, corporations, civic groups and faith-based groups. For more information or to make a donation, visit Get Involved.

Our Partners

In addition to direct services from our advocates, survivors can access resources from our national and community partners.

National partners

National Domestic and Sexual Violence Technical Assistance Consortium

National Alliance for Safe Housing

National Network to End Domestic Violence

Michigan State University Research Consortium on Gender-Based Violence

Advocacy

Domestic Violence Network

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Childcare

Childcare Answers

Dental

Indiana University Dental School

Education, tutoring, literacy, financial literacy

Brightlane Learning

Christel House Doors Program

Indy Reads

Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana

John H. Boner Neighborhood Centers

Employment

Dress for Success

Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana Excel Center

Housing resources, advocacy, shelter, funding and policy

City of Indianapolis

Coalition of Homeless Intervention and Prevention

Department of Metropolitan Development

Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana

Healthnet Homeless Initiative Program

Indiana Housing Authority

Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership

The Julian Center

Partners in Housing

Pedcor Property Management

Salvation Army

Immigrant services

Immigrant Welcome Center

The Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Legal, victim compensation

Center for Victim and Human Rights

Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic

Social services, therapy, art therapy

Catholic Charities

Indianapolis Art Center

Red Rover