Our Story

Rooted in the Far Eastside. Rising for What’s Next

What began around a kitchen table has grown into a movement with neighbors helping neighbors through connection, compassion, and community action.

Everything we do begins with a simple belief: when neighbors are supported, the entire community thrives.

Mission Statement

To elevate quality of life on the Far Eastside by strengthening partnerships, using local resources wisely, and empowering neighbors to build economic opportunity, stability, and self-reliance.

Vision Statement

An inclusive, thriving, and safe Far Eastside where people of all ages can live, learn, work, and play with a spirit of caring.

From a Kitchen Table to a Community Cornerstone

In the 1980s, four women gathered around a kitchen table on the Far Eastside to ask one question: How do we make things better?

Their conversations became collaborations, their dreams became action and together, they built what would become the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE).

From those first meetings came neighborhood groups, family support services, and a shared commitment to give every resident a place to belong and a path to stability.

Decades later, the mission lives on

Today, CAFE Indy offers direct aid and wraparound support to neighbors across the Far Eastside and helps families cover utility bills, secure safe housing, and find meaningful work.

We serve seniors with meals and connection, youth with after-school opportunities, and families with the tools to achieve self-reliance.

Every service, every class, every gathering moves us closer to a thriving Far Eastside, one that’s built by and for the people who call it home.

CAFE helps neighbors find the stability they need to build stronger families and safer homes. We offer emergency assistance, home-repair programs, and first-time homeownership opportunities that keep families rooted right here on the Far Eastside. From covering a winter heating bill to sharing fresh food and everyday essentials, we meet immediate needs while planting the seeds for long-term security.

We believe opportunity should never be out of reach. Through career development, youth leadership, and financial coaching, CAFE opens doors for residents to grow and thrive. Our programs help teens explore career paths, connect adults to job training, and equip entrepreneurs to launch new beginnings that ultimately create pathways that strengthen both families and the local economy.

At our core, we’re community builders. CAFE brings neighbors together through senior wellness activities, town halls, cleanup days, and celebrations that reflect the culture and pride of the Far Eastside. We partner with local organizations and residents to amplify their voices, strengthen relationships, and ensure every person feels seen, supported, and valued.

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The Heart of It All: Far Eastside Neighborhood Center

Opened in 2002, the Far Eastside Neighborhood Center is the crown jewel of the community. It’s a place where neighbors come to learn, move, heal, and connect. The Center houses CAFE’s offices and serves as a community hub for partners like Head Start, La Plaza and the Damien Center.

Our Facilities

Lactation Room

A private, nurturing space for new mothers.

Gymnasium

A space for movement, recreation, and community gatherings.

Education & Training Room

Where career pathways and dreams take shape.

Drop-In Offices & Meeting Rooms

Designed for collaboration and connection.

Nature Park

Offsite Partnership with Broganville Farm

The People Behind the Progress

Led by a dedicated board and a team of passionate professionals, we turn care into action every single day.

CAFE BOARD MEMBERS

  • Nashelle J. Frazier, Chairperson
  • Geoffrey Fenelus, Vice Chair
  • Kelley Ferguson, Treasurer
  • Heather Savage, Secretary
  • Justin Blackstone
  • Joseph Brown
  • Antonio Key
  • Kendra Nowell
  • Schiela Pena
  • Leslie Scott
  • LaToya Hale-Tahirou

CAFE STAFF AND LEADERSHIP

  • Kendra Nowell, CEO 
  • Melqui Gonzales, Executive Assistant 
  • Jamarro Johnson, Deputy Director
  • Greily De Leon, Director of Facility Operations 
  • LaToya Moore, Director of Finance 
  • Hazel Bacon, Director of Human Resources 
  • Michael Johnson, Director of Basic Needs & Senior Financial Coach 
  • Sharleigh Allen, Director of Workforce Development & Entrepreneurship 
  • Tiara Nibbs, Associate Director of Educational Services 
  • Rosana Marin, Senior Immigration Affairs Manager 
  • Yulissa Mondragon, Communications Manager 
  • Jacquita Pettigrew, Program Manager- Basic Needs
  • Aichatou Sakho, Immigration Affairs Manager 
  • Keisha King, Career Navigator
  • Stephanie Butler, Event Coordinator 
  • Zell Dawson, Driver/Building Attendant 
  • Kassandra Green-Smith, Office Support
  • Nakisha Carroll, Data Specialist
  • Lakisha Fox, Youth & Family Services Income Support Coach
  • Ashley Raines, Youth Program Specialist 
  • Jamesha Gunn, Youth Program Specialist II
  • Rebecca Garcia, Basic Needs Income Support Coach
  • Denisha Cole, Basic Needs Support Specialist
  • Keith Kates, Employment Coach
  • Talyssa Cuffee, Driver- Operations Support
  • Stephane Mathieu, Translator/Interpreter
  • Kenya Starks, Youth Program Support Specialist
  • Felicia Hodges, Health Equity Coordinator
  • Meghan Rose, Orchard Education & Program Curator
  • Nojun Lubin, Receptionist

The Story Started Around a Kitchen Table. The Next Chapter Starts With You.

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