Mission & History
WHO WE ARE
We are a multi-dimensional organization serving Central Indiana through two connected entities:
For 50 years, we’ve supported individuals and families in their pursuit of a better life by equipping low-income citizens with tools and opportunities to become self-sufficient.
Our mission is to work in partnership with Central Indiana communities to eliminate the causes and conditions of poverty by removing barriers, promoting independence, and creating pathways to lasting self-sufficiency.
Heartland Community Action Program
a state-designated Community Action Program.
Heartland Families, Inc.
a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
History
Heartland Community Action Program, originally established as JobSource, is one of 22 Community Action Programs in Indiana. For over four decades, we have served Madison and Grant Counties with programs that address poverty and empower individuals toward self-sufficiency. In 2011, the 501(c)(3) organization was formed.
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Our early programs focused on workforce development, which inspired our original name, JobSource. In 2026, we rebranded as Heartland Community Action Program to better reflect our evolving mission and align with our cornerstone initiative, Heartland Scholar House.
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While our mission remains the same, our focus has shifted toward targeted interventions that address the root causes of poverty and create a multi-generational impact.
A New Era
In 2019, Doug Eckerty was appointed Executive Director to lead a new era of transformation and sustainability. Under his leadership, a strategic plan was developed that centered on two key objectives: supporting effective local partners and addressing service gaps with innovative programming.
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Thanks to the dedication and excellence of our team, Heartland has experienced unprecedented growth since 2019, expanding programming and securing multiple grants to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Founding Heartland Scholar House
In 2019, our Executive Director began a nationwide search for a model program that could create sustainable, multi-generational change for families experiencing poverty in Indiana. He discovered the Family Scholar House model in Louisville, Kentucky, a program that integrates supportive housing, education, and comprehensive wraparound for single-parent households.
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Initially skeptical, he continued researching and consulting with trusted advisors. The more he learned, the clearer it became: the program’s impact was not only real—it was transformative.
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In 2020, we began the affiliation process with Family Scholar House, and by 2021, we became the Indiana affiliate, launching Heartland Scholar House. Within six months, we secured housing for our first campus in Anderson, IN. Deputy Director, Briana Price, was appointed Executive Director of Heartland Scholar House and began the monumental task of implementing the program locally.
In 2022, we welcomed our first residential scholar, marking a major milestone. Since then, the program has gained regional recognition, leading to the launch of additional campuses in Marion and Muncie, IN, in 2024.​
Heartland Scholar House is now the cornerstone of our mission, offering a comprehensive pathway out of poverty through education, housing, and a community of support.
Programs
Find Help
FindHelp connects individuals and families to local resources and services in Madison County. Heartland helped bring the FindHelp platform to the community and developed training for partner organizations to ensure effective use. By equipping community partners with the tools and knowledge to navigate the platform, FindHelp strengthens access to essential support and fosters collaboration across service providers.
Notable Accomplishments
STAR Tutoring
Between 2020 and 2022, we received $8 million from the Indiana Department of Education to address learning loss caused by the pandemic. STAR Tutoring partnered with schools in Madison and Grant Counties to provide high-dosage tutoring and social-emotional support to struggling students. The program ran for five years and concluded in June 2025, having made a measurable impact on student achievement.
Family & Education Gap Assistance Program (FEGAP)
With CSBG CARES Act funding (2020–2021), we supported 427 low-income households by providing internet access and computers, enabling children to attend school remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative was recognized by IHCDA as a leading and innovative pandemic response.
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When the CSBG CARES Act funding concluded, we remained committed to supporting the broader community. Through a strategic partnership with FindHelp, we launched a custom webpage solution to improve access to local resources.
Heartland engaged FindHelp to develop:
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A public-facing search site tailored for Madison County residents, enabling individuals and families to easily locate and connect with available community supports.
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An internal platform for our partner organizations, designed to foster collaboration and streamline referrals across agencies.