Our History

The Dominican Center was founded in 1995 by Sinsinawa Dominicans Sister Ann Halloran, OP and Sister Anne-Marie Doyle, OP, as a holistic approach to education and women’s programs in the Amani neighborhood. 

In 2012, the Obama administration launched the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program (BNCP) to catalyze community-driven change in neighborhoods that have historically faced barriers to revitalization (including poverty and underlying critical issues of education, employment, housing, health and safety).Through the BNCP, the Dominican Center was designated as the neighborhood partner, or “anchor” for the neighborhood, to support resident decision-making and involvement in the program.

WHERE IS AMANI LOCATED?

The Amani neighborhood boundaries are from North Avenue to Keefe Avenue and from 20th Street to 30th Street.
Over the past 25 years, the role of the Dominican Center has shifted from an organization that provides services to one that also convenes partners together with residents in support of its priority areas of safety; housing and economic development; and education and family well-being.