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
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Wabash Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a United Way of the Wabash Valley initiative to connect and empower people to care for each other by helping with simple projects in their homes and lives.
Everyone, at one point or another, needs a helping hand from a caring neighbor. Wabash Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors matches homeowners who have small fix-it projects with volunteers who have the skills and time to make the repairs.
Generally, the projects can be easily completed by individuals or groups and do not require special tools or advanced skills. Whether it is trimming bushes, helping someone move, or assembling a bookshelf, a helping hand from a kind neighbor can show people they are cared for and not alone.
Wabash Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors (WVNHN) is an easy-to-use platform. Residents can submit their repair or aid requests on this website, and volunteers can identify projects and sign up to complete them.
Strong Neighborhood Improvement Projects Mini-Grants
The Neighborhood Improvement Project mini-grant program invested in projects 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 various areas and needs including creating neighborhood gathering areas, addressing safety concerns, and creating neighborhood beautification.
The Strong Neighborhoods Council has made an impact across the Wabash Valley. Click the button to see a map of where our council has invested in projects!
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
3 Sisters Investments – Light up Locust St. with The LAB – support of exterior lighting and improvements to the LAB.
14th and Chestnut Community Center – Playground improvement – new mulch, fence, and playground features.
Bloomingdale Friends Church – Disc Golf Course – supports the creation of a new 9-hole disc golf course.
Chances and Services for Youth – Booker T. Washington Park Splash Pad – drainage improvements to the existing splash pad.
City of Sullivan Parks Department – Sullivan City Park Bandstand – renovations including new picture windows and landscaping.
Crossroads Disc Golf Club – Forest Park Disc Golf Course Renewal – support of renovation of disc golf course in Forest Park including new baskets and tee pads.
Farrington’s Grove Historical District – Beautification days – support for the neighborhoods established beautification day projects.
Maryland Community Church – Hope Week Neighborhood Repairs – beautification and home improvements to 6 elderly, disabled, or low-income homeowners.
Poland Community Lions Club – Lions Park – supports park renovations including revitalizing the basketball court, mulch, and playground improvements.
Reach Services – Pathways Day Center – beautification and landscaping for the new Pathways Day Center.
Society of Trash Baggers – Love Where you Live – provides a lending library for reacher/grabber tools and gloves to support beautification efforts.
Town of Mecca – Mecca Pride – Firehouse beautification with decals and flagpole replacement.
Terre Haute Association of Realtors – Spencer Park Blacktop Camp – supports a one-week summer camp at Spencer Ball Park including family and tournament experiences.
Youth Mentor Group of Vigo County YMCA – Fairbanks Park beautification project – murals, mulch, seating, and more around the YMCA and park.
12 Points Revitalization Initiative – Install trash receptacles, landscape beds/planter/landscaping, bus stop shell, signage, and permanent benches, with funding match
Geulah Ministry – Geulah Ministry GardenBorder an empty lot with fruit trees/vineyard/ pollinators/community produce garden/meeting space
Hamilton Center – Mini Lending Libraries – Install 7 Little Lending Libraries
ReThink – Solar Lights Community Garden – Creation and installation of 4 solar powered pillar lights (blessing boxes) at ReThink’s community garden
Terre Haute Area Assoc Realtors – Summer Camp at Spencer B. Park – Renovation of park infrastructure during camp (part of larger project)
Terre Haute Symphony/ Three Sisters Investments – The Lab Concert Series – 3 chamber music events in Ryves neighborhood (part of larger project)
Truck Stop Indy – Truck Stop Upgrade -Improve truck stop in 12 points, accessibility, lighting, concrete, increased seating, plants, dog waste station (part of larger project)
Vermillion County EDC – Central Elementary School Greenhouse – Create a community garden at Central Elementary School in Clinton, including raised beds and a greenhouse
Vigo County Public Library – 12 Points Library Splash Pad – Add splash pad to outdoor area of upcoming 12 Points library branch (UWWV contribution is part of the large project)
Wabash Valley Art Spaces – Herz-Rose Park Sculpture Project – Support public art project in Herz-Rose park (part of larger project)
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
Rhett Beaumont
Lummus Technology
Christine Buckley
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Justin Campbell
Fairway Mortgag
Valerie Craig
Indiana State University
Doug Hess
Vermillion County EDC
Debbie Hill
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Pamela Malone
Ivy Tech Community College
Tracey Malooley
Terre Haute Area Association of Realtors
Leah Myers
Community Advocate
Jennifer Rumple
Ivy Tech
Connor Scanlon
14th and Chestnut Community Center
Sydney Wible
Woodforest Bank
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
