A zip code should not determine a person’s destiny.
Improving the look of our community was identified as an area of need throughout our community conversations. Our neighbors feel a general sense of apathy, due in large part to the aesthetics of some of our neighborhoods, and this leads to worries about crime. We also heard that there was a lack of unity in our community and improving the overall morale was a concern.
What we do
Our Strong Neighborhoods Impact Council is working to partner with residents and organizations to build thriving neighborhoods where residents feel safe and connected to one another.
Check out our Strong Neighborhoods Council Strategy Guide for details on the council and their plans.
Impact Council
Our Strong Neighborhoods Impact Council, a multi-sector volunteer committee of nonprofit, government, education, and business leaders who are experts in and/or are passionate about supporting the strength of the neighborhoods in our community. They believe that the Wabash Valley should be a community of safe, vibrant, and inclusive neighborhoods.
The impact council is creating initiatives and investing in our community to bring successful results to their agreed-upon specific outcome targets in support of the overall UWWV community goal.
Objective: Safe, vibrant, and inclusive neighborhoods.
Strategies
Enhance “Look and Feel” by addressing Public Safety, Blight Elimination, and City-Service Improvements
Grow Communication in the Neighborhoods
Build Neighborhood Identity/Branding
Build or Engage Neighborhood Anchors
Measurements
Our team and volunteers will assess neighborhoods through a resident survey and data collection methodology. These two components will allow our Strong Neighborhoods Council to identify “starting condition” and score, then measure if initiatives and programs are creating positive change.
Strong Neighborhood Impact Council Solutions
Strong Neighborhood Improvement Projects Mini-Grants
The Neighborhood Improvement Project mini-grant program invested over $67,000 in 15 total projects that are intended to enhance the “look and feel” of a neighborhood by addressing public safety, beautification projects, blight elimination, and/or government-service improvements. The projects address a variety of areas and needs including creating neighborhood gathering areas, addressing safety concerns, and creating neighborhood beautification.
Grants Awarded:
12 Points Patio – Creation of an outdoor gathering place for the neighborhood
12 Points Revitalization – Support of organizations IHCDA revitalization campaign and improvements
Catholic Charities of Terre Haute – New paint, artwork, landscaping, and seating at Ryves Youth Center/Etling Hall and leadership workshop series in the neighborhood
City of Sullivan – Ring Video Doorbell program for residents’ safety and security
Collet Park Neighborhood Association – Dog park development in Collet Park
Davis Park PTO – Mural creation, landscaping improvements, and clean-up days
Forest Park Brazil – Landscaping and updates to the fountain wall
Grace Community Church – Beautification of outdoor area
Hungarian Hall – Rehab of Hall structure
Lincolnsire-Woodshire Homeowners Association – Revitalization of neighborhood park
REEF (Recycling and Environmental Education Foundation) – Raised beds in Clinton Community Garden
MACC (Mothering as a Career Club) – Revitalization of Dobbs StoryWalk
ReThink, Inc. – Enhancement to community gardens including seating and QR codes
Ryves Optimist Club – New outdoor lighting at Ryves Youth Center/Etling Hall
Terre Haute Area Association of Realtors – Lost Creek neighborhood area beautification
Strong Neighborhoods Impact Council Members - Development Team
Composed of volunteers who are passionate and/or experts in the field of community building or passionate about their neighborhoods. They are responsible for developing ideas to make progress towards their agreed upon measurements.
Martha Crossen – Co-Chair
Terre Haute City Council Member
Carey LaBella – Co-Chair
Vigo County Public Library
Josh Alsip
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce
Tiffany Baker
3 Sisters Investements
Rhett Beaumont
Lummus Technology
Christine Buckley
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Gabrielle Comelleri
CASA
Valerie Craig
Indiana State University
Trey Epps
Woodforest National Bank
Dan Gisel
Maryland Community Church
Pat Goodwin
Tractor Tools Direct
Pamela Malone
myCOI
Tracey Malooley
Terre Haute Area Association of Realtors
Tom Moore
CenterPoint Energy – Vectren
Leah Myers
Mental Health America of West Central IN
Myra Wilkey
Mental Health America of West Central IN
Strong Neighborhoods Impact Council Members - Resource Team
Composed of volunteers who provide financial oversight for the resources entrusted to the impact council.
Jameel Ahmed – Chair
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Angie Balitewicz
Vigo County School Corporation
Hilary Duncan
Ivy Tech Community College
Dan Hardesty
Richard G. Lugar Center for Rural Health
John E. Lang
Retired – Eli Lily
Lindsay Stergar
Regional Hospital
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsor
