YWCA Central Indiana buys former Muncie elementary school

Muncie’s YWCA will move out of its historic downtown building and soon inhabit a former elementary school.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

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00;00;00;02 - 00;00;23;15 Stephanie Wiechmann The former Garfield Elementary School at Madison and Ninth streets will house YWCA, Central Indiana's emergency shelter for women and children. Temporary state shelter and its other programing. The school was closed in 2009 and previously sold to the Muncie Housing Authority. YWCA says it is purchasing the building thanks to its first ever capital campaign. The organization has been looking for a new location for a while. 00;00;23;20 - 00;00;43;19 Stephanie Wiechmann In late 2024, it told the Muncie Redevelopment Commission its existing building on Charles Street needed significant repairs that were too expensive for the nonprofit. The YWCA says the new building will let it expand programing to focus on, quote, economic stability, housing support, neighborhood resources and economic opportunities for children. I'm Stephanie Wiechmann in Muncie.

The former Garfield Elementary School at Madison and 9^th Streets will house YWCA of Central Indiana’s emergency shelter for women and children, temporary stay shelter, and its other programming.

The school was closed in 2009 and previously sold to the Muncie Housing Authority.

YWCA says is purchasing the building thanks to its first-ever capital campaign.

The organization has been looking for a new location for a while.  In late 2024, it told the Muncie Redevelopment Commission its existing building on Charles Street needed significant repairs that were too expensive for the nonprofit.

Read More from 2021: Muncie-Area Organizations Working Together To Help Bridges Clients After Closure

The YWCA says the new building will let it expand programming to focus on “economic stability, housing support, neighborhood resources, and economic opportunities for children.”

In a statement, Dr. Kiesha Warren-Gordon, Chair of the YWCA Central Indiana Board of Directors, said, “Garfield has long served as a place of learning and connection. We are honored to carry that legacy forward by creating a hub of opportunity and support for women, children, and families.”

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.