Civic Goal

Organizations, businesses, churches, and residents of all ages and backgrounds in West Indianapolis are engaged and active participants in the neighborhood.

Action Items

Action items for this area of the West Indianapolis Quality-of-Life Plan are listed below. Click on any action item to expand the table and review our progress; click the title again to close the table.

Key to item status:

Completed       Ongoing       Pending       Deleted

2.1 Continue incorporating community engagement into daily work and project planning

Lead Organization:  Sustainable Communities
Partner Organization: All communities partners
Action Step Status Description Lead Organizations 2011 Year- End                                     2012 Year-End
2.1.1 Planning and implementation of annual community events
Activity Lead Outcomes
Community Day SC June 4, 2011, 1,000 attendees, 40 vendors, 60 volunteers
Night Out Against Crime WINC Moved to cooler weather
Holiday Tree Lighting CAP – 4th quarter project Scheduled – 11/29/2011, Great success.  500 attendees, 300 pictures with Santa. Pictures availabe at WI Library.  Lots of good food and fun games.
Activity Lead Outcomes
Community Day SC June 9, 2012, 1,000 attendees, 45 vendors, 75 volunteers
Night Out Against Crime WINC Cancelled
Holiday Tree Lighting CAP – 4th quarter project 11/29/2012, Great success.  Biggest turnout to date. 650 attendees, 500 pictures with Santa. Pictures made available for pick-up at the WI Library.  Lots of good food and fun games.
2.1.4 Promote KIB Adopt A Block  SC/WINC/KIB
  1. 25 active coordinators, particpate in block clean-ups, Great Indy Clean-up and promote program at Community Day.
  2. Future goal – recruite a coordinator for every block in WI.
  1. 46 active coordinators, particpate in block clean-ups, Great Indy Clean-up and promote program at Community Day.
  2. Retain current coordinators and recruite a coordinator for every block in WI.
2.1.7 Create cooperative relationships with neighborhood driven initiatives
Activity Lead Outcomes
Peace Park WEMO Annual garage sale, June 25th, raised $400 for future projects. Received KIB grant, will be part of Lily Day of Service on Oct 6th.  Seeds in the Sidewalk program developed to link teenagers from WEMO, Ben Davis and GWCHS probation and Leader Program at Mary Rigg. Urban garden providing vegetables to neighborSeeds in the Sidewalk-engaging juvenile offenders in mentoring program. Includes children from Ben Davis, GWCHS, Mary Rigg.14 young adults successfully completed the program336 collective hours of community service completedParticipated in community resource offered by Mary Rigg2 young men enrolled in GED classedYouth visited IU Bloomington
West Park Beautification WEMO WEMO/SC/KIB/WICF  KIB grant – 30 trees planted on April 30.  Part of Lilly Day of Service on October 6thL DofS – 11 trees planted – 370 plants – 500 volunteer hours – Value of project $16,135.
Community dinners, holiday food baskets, Mozel Sanders Dinner MRNC Community dinners – monthlyMozel Sanders Thanksgiving DinnerGift A Child/Holiday food baskets – 425 baskets distributed to WI families
Pocket park improvements and pond rejuvenation School #46 WICF provide grant for projects
Urban Garden School #49 & KIB Partnership created in the spring. Produce is available to neighbors. Garden maintained by neighbors, church members, and Seeds in the Sidewalk kids.
Activity Lead Outcomes
Peace Park WEMO Seeds in the Sidewalk program developed to link teenagers from WEMO, Ben Davis and GWCHS probation and Leader Program at Mary Rigg.  Urban garden providing vegetables to neighbors. Seeds in the Sidewalk-engaging juvenile offenders in mentoring program. Includes children from Ben Davis, GWCHS, Mary Rigg.

  • 10 young adults successfully completed the program
  • 490 collective hours of community service completedParticipated in community resource offered by Mary Rigg.
  • X young adults enrolled in GED classed
  •  X youth visited IU Bloomington through Mary Rigg Leader’s program.
Community dinners, holiday food baskets, Mozel Sanders Dinner MRNC Community dinners – monthly, Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving Dinner, Gift A Child/Holiday food baskets – 485 baskets distributed to WI families, Trunk or Treat- Fall Festival for neighborhood families
Street Teams MRNC 4 Teams created and inititial meet & greet completed in fall along 4 corridors

 

2.2 Strengthen communication among partners and among residents

Lead Organization:  Sustainable Communities
Partner Organization: All communities partners
Action Step Status Description Comments 2011 Year-End 2012 Year-End
2.2.1 Utilize communication  tool-kit WI uses a variety of communication techniques to reach out to neighbors
Activity Lead Outcomes
Community News Articles All Articles submitted on regular basis from many community organizations
WI Website, Facebook Page, WIDC website SC WI website up and running. Facebook created an update at least 3 x’s per week.
Flyer Distribution via schools and Barry’s Pizza SC/WIDC/MRNC/Schools Flyers distributed for all major community events.
WICF Marketing Plan SC/WICF Implemented
Community Day SC Community announcements are made through out the day
WI Welcome packets SC 250 packets created, 200 distributed
WIDC Toolkit WIDC 30 kits distributed to new WI home owners and reconnected with home owners back to 2006
Neighborhood Newsletter for volunteers MRNC Monthly to email distribution list
Website, Facebook page, Success Tips website MRNC Updated regularly
Reverse 911 phone tree for chemical safety Lilly Annual test and used only as necessary
Activity Lead Outcomes
Community News Articles  All Articles submitted on regular basis from many community organizations
WI Website, Facebook Page, WIDC website  SC WI website up and running. Facebook created an update at least 3 x’s per week.
Flyer Distribution via schools and Barry’s Pizza
  • SC
  • WIDC
  • MRNC
  • Schools
 Flyers distributed for all major community events.  Normally around 500
WICF Marketing Plan  SC/WICF Implemented
Community Day & Holiday Tree Lighting  SC Community announcements are made through out the event in both English and Spanish. Bilingual advertising for both events.
WI Welcome packets  SC New information gathered for more bag assembly.
WIDC Toolkit  WIDC 3 new home owners received tool kits and Welcome Packets
Neighborhood Newsletter for volunteers MRNC Monthly email distribution list
Website, Facebook page, Success Tips website MRNC Updated regularly
Reverse 911 phone tree for chemical safety Lilly Annual test and used only as necessary
2.2.6 Create powerful means of communication between organizations and residents New goal from 2011 Annual WI Leadership Retreat
Activity Lead Outcomes
Create, populate & maintain WI website SC Website constructed and information populated. On-going maintenance
Front Porch Strategy

  • Promotes neighbor to neighbor comunication                           Promotes organization to neighbor.
  • Meets people where they are
 Cameray Boyden, Toby York & WINC First neighbor connect event was July 8. Planning meeting June 28
Develop “Rainbow Book” template and solicitinfo from partner organizations Cameray Boyden Planning under way for guide creation. Guide will be added to WI webiste and be in PDF format for easy printing.  Guide will also be printed.
Activity Lead Outcomes
Maintain WI website SC On-going maintenance & updates
Front Porch transforms to Street Teams Mary Rigg 4 teams created and inititial meet & greet completed in fall along 4 corridors
Rainbow Book transforms to Welcome Bag SC New information gathered to assemble more bags
Community Forums Adopt A Block – promote and recruite new coordinators – 30 neighborsAnimal Information Forum – promote animal welfare – 4 organizations, 26 neighborsVacant & Abandoned Houseing/CPTED – Report on the status of vacant and abandoned housing, presentation on Crime Prevention through Environmental Design – 2 organizations – 20 neighbors

Transportation Summit- Update neighbors on alternative transporations methods and discuss issues related to current levels of service. 8 organizations -15 neighbors

ROW – Reconnecting to Our Waterways – 2 organizations – 10 neighbors

Senior Crime Prevention Program – 1 organization, 15 seniors

 

2.3 Promote WINC

Action Step Status Description Comments 2011 Year End Updates 2012 Year End Updates
2.3.5 Promote WINC

WINC is an active participant in all neighborhood events
  • Community Day
  • Night Out Against Crime
  • Holiday Tree Lighting
  • Block Clean-ups
  • Adopt A Block
  • Front Porch Strategie

 
  • Community Day
  • Holiday Tree Lighting
  • Block Clean-ups
  • Street Teams
  • Adopt A Block

Performance Measures:

  • Participation in Community Events

2.4 Engage churches in community activities

Action Step Status Description Comments 2011 Year End Updates 2012 Year End Updates
2.4.5 Promote regular communication with local churches While we have not been able to create a “Ministerial Association”, many of our local churches are highly invested in reaching out to neighbors through of variety of ways.
  • 15 area churches receive regular emails about community events, i.e. Community Day, Garden on the Go – Etc
  • WEMO participates in Community Day, provides weekly community meal to neighbors, clothing pantry and food pantry.
  • St John the Forerunner – Actively supports Mary Rigg food pantry
  • Gethsemene Apostolic – Clothing pantry
  • 15 area churches receive regular emails about community events, i.e. Community Day, Garden on the Go – Etc
  • WEMO participates in Community Day, provides weekly community meal to neighbors, clothing pantry and food pantry.
  • St John the Forerunner – Actively supports Mary Rigg food pantry. Attended Community Day. Hosted Picnic in the Park, providing a meal for neighborhood kids in the School #46 community park.
  • Gethsemene Apostolic – Clothing pantry
  • Westview Baptist Church – community meal every Wednesday
  • Church of the Lord Jesus Christ – Food Pantry
  • Ingelsia Ebanezar – Food Panty
  • Cornerstone – Backpack attack

Performance Measures:

  • No. of churches involved in community activities

2.5 Engage businesses in community activities

Action Step Status Description Comments 2011 Year End Updates 2012 Year End Update
2.5.5 Engage local businesses in community activities
Activity Lead Outcomes
  1. 1st quarter service project – Great Indy Clean-up  200 participants
  2. 2nd quarter service project – Community Day 1000 attendees, 40 vendors including businesses, 60 volunteers
  3. 3rd quarter service project -Serve meals at MRNC
  4. 4th quater service project – Host Holiday Tree Lighting
 CAP
  1. 200 participants
  2. 1000 attendees, 40 vendors including businesses, 60 volunteers
  3. 4x’s – 35 people per meal – 12 volunteers
  4. 500 neighbors/300 pictures with Santa

 
WICF Business Event SC Met with 4 local businesses and introducted to neighborhood activities and WICF
Morris Street Complete Street WIDC Presented plan to CAP, 25 people in attendance.  Displayed at WI Library from October thru December.
Community Day Actively promoted event to local businesses – 9 local businesses attended – 4 for the first time.  Mr. Dan’s sponsored – 1st Annual Hot Dog eating contest.
WICF SC “Great Stories” postcards mailed sent WICF donor and prospect list (100 x 2), WICF articles in Community Day.WICF Annual Fund Appeal sent to 90 local businesses
Activity Lead Outcomes
  1. 1st quarter service project – Great Indy Clean-up  200 participants
  2. 2nd quarter service project – Community Day 1000 attendees, 40 vendors including businesses, 60 volunteers
  3. 3rd quarter service project -Serve meals at MRNC
  4. 4th quater service project – Host Holiday Tree Lighting
 CAP
  1. 50 participants – Cleaned 15 blocks of neighborhood alleys
  2. 1000 attendees, 45 vendors including businesses, 75 volunteers
  3. 4x’s – 35 people per meal – 8 volunteers
  4. 650 neighbors/500 pictures with Santa

 
WICF Donor Appreciation Reception SC 26 attendees – Great Stories Presentation
Morris Street Complete Street WIDC Meetings with Lilly & IPL. Meeting with City of Indianapolis
Community Day 8 local businesses participated
WIDC/WICF SC Provided complimentary advertizing in the WI Community News to 10 local businesses
2.5.6 Engage volunteers in neighborhood activities In 2011, MRNC began new volunteer program and worked with over 450 volunteers. The base number of 400 volunteers has remaind steady although the relationships with local companies has grown.  In addition to long-term partnerships with IPL and Lilly, the center can now can add Swagelok, OmniSource, Hilton Downtown, Legacy Funeral Services, Defender Direct, Bandy Carroll Hellige, Rolls Royce and Target Distribution Center. Many of these companies are also taking on leadership roals with the Mary Rigg Organization.

While the volunteer program has immediate impact on MRNC, it is also affecting this neighborhood as a whole. We are bringing awareness to West Indianapolis with greater involvement in community-wide activities, including the Holiday Tree Lighting, Community Day, and evening meals for seniors as well as increased awareness about the MRNC Emergency Food Pantry and our need to keep it stocked with specialty non-food items (diapers, health & hygiene items) as well as  non-perishable and fresh foods.

As a last highlight, Mary Rigg has seen increased  neighbor involvement. Neighbors, often living within just a few blocks of the center, are actively volunteering in the food pantry, participating in Street Teams, and supporting Community Day and similar activities.

 

Performance Measures:

  • No. of businesses involved in community activities