Social Goal

A full diversity of residents and families share an appreciation of lifelong learning and meaningful employment; work together with neighborhood organizations in education, recreation, employment, and community activities; and help neighbors in need.

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

1.1 Increase availability of employment services

Lead Organization:  Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center
Partner Organizations:  IPS, GWCHS, WI Library
Action Step Status  Description Comments 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
1.1.8 Offer comprehensive approach to increasing self-sufficiency including employment and financial coaching programs 3 coaches provided 335 received individualized  employement / fianacialcoaching and services 113 individuals received employment training and job search help found employment; 78% were offered health insurance. Unemployment office on-site, Mobile Work-One on-site weekly
1.1.9  Job Club Learn how to write a resume or apply for a job online. 786 young adults have received services Waiting on updated information
1.1.10 Continue offering and promoting GED 3 classes offered daily at MRNC. Filled to capacity 3 classes offered daily at MRNC. Filled to capacity
1.1.11 Maintain community job resource room
  1. Over 1,000 people have used the resource room
 3467 neighbors received informatoin, referrals and access to help resources
1.1.12   Offer adult  ed. ESL & GED
  1. IPS offers ESL classes @ GWCHS and GED Classes @ Mary Rigg – 492 individuals attended programs
 NO ESL Classes, GED classes at Mary Rigg via Work Force Development
1.1.13   Offer computer classes Classes offered at Mary Rigg and WI Library offers basic Internet skills, connecting residents through Internet searches 95 Students have graduated from MR this year 77 students graduated from MR computer training classes

 

1.2 Ensure that all residents have ability to provide for their basic needs

Lead Organziation: Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center
Partner Organizations:  Billies’s Food Pantry, WEMO, IU-Garden on the Go, Gleaners, Second Helpings. Midwest Food Bank

 

Action Step Status Description
1.2.7 Access to food (free or affordable)
Agency 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
Mary Rigg Emergency Food Pantry The pantry is stocked through donated items from individuals, corporations, churches and food banks
  1. Approximately 800 individuals have received assistance. This does not reflect the number of people in the house
  2. End of year calcuations estimate 2,200 households consisting of 8,700 individuals received food pantry assistance
 2538 children, parents and senior citizens in need of food were provided with meals and snacks
MRNC Meals Dinner for youth and seniors 4x’s per week, Community dinner 1 x per month
  1. After school – 35 per night, summer program – 65 per meal, 15 senior per meal, 55 people attend community dinner
  2. 2,500 children, adults and seniors were served meals and snacks through evening dinner program, daily lunch program for seniors, farmer’s market voucher program, school break, snack packs, and commodity food distribution

 

 See above.  Beverage changes at evening meal. Milk is now provided instead of juice.
ISTEP snacks
  1. MRNC 2,350 individual snacks provided to WI schools
 See above
Family Break Food
  1. MRNC provided food to 30 children during school breaks
  See above
Gift A Child-Holiday food baskets Toys provided by Toys for Tots.  Food baskets are provided by the generosity of hundreds of donors. 425 families recieved baskets with everything they need for a complete holiday dinner. 245 of those families had the opportunity to shop for a gift for each of their children. 950 books were given to children to encourage reading 485 holiday food boxes were given to fmailies . Boxes included non-perishable food items, a ham or gift certifcate for a ham/turkey650 parents chose toys, gifts and a brand new stocking for each of their children. Families also received a fleece blanket and a $5.00 gift certificate for fresh fruits and vegetables
Billies Food Panty Open M-Th, 10 am to 12 pm 1000 people/families served each month 250 Families/1000 people served each month. Open M – Th. Food provided by Gleaners and most recently by Midwest Food Bank.  Produce, bread and sweet also available.  Seeking volunteers.
Garden on the Go – IU Health & Green Bean Delivery Thursday 5:00to 6:00 pm parking lot west of WI Library Actively promoted throughout neighborhood. Nutritionist at SWHC supporting. IU collecting extensive data which will be made available to WI at a later dateOperated from May 4 to Dec 31st in the WI Library Parking lot, 8 month – 412 customers Location shifted to the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center lobby and has seen increased growth.  1005 customers – 62% increase in customer use.  Moving to new date and time in early 2013.
Urban Garden WEMO/Peace Park Garden growing, producing along with mentoring programs Garden continues producing with food going to neighbors. Mentoring program – Seeds in the Sidewalk completed 2nd year.
WEMO Food Pantry & community meal Distributes food when available, community meal Distributes food when available, community meal one time per month – attendance varies
Westview Baptist Church Community meal offered each Wednesday 50 to 75 people served each week
Church of the Lord Jesus Christ Food Pantry each Tuesday from 8 AM to 1 PM
Inglesia Ebanezar Food Pantry 1st & 3rd Tuesdays from 2 to 3 PM
School 46 Food Pantry established to alleviate hunger on the weekends for 7 & 8 graders.  Fresh fruits and vegetable snacks provided to k-6th grades every school day.
School 49 School garden – produce available to neighbors School garden – produce available to neighbors
1.2.8 Access to clothing (free or affordable)
Agency 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
Hope Chest Affordable second hand clothing Open M-F & Saturday Plus employment opportunities Affordable second hand clothingl Open M-F & Saturdays. Plus employment opportunities
LTC Clothing Partnership
  1. LTC collects winter coats, shoes and employment clothing for distribution at Mary Rigg. Approximately 300 coats distributed to WI children
 LTC collected winter coats for distribution at Mary Rigg
Samaritan Feet
  1. New shoes distributed to 600 children via Mary Rigg on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  2. New shoes distributed to 140 childred at Thanksgiving
 New shoes distributed at Mary Rigg
WEMO clothing pantry Held weekly Held weekly
Gethsemane Apostolic Quarterly clothing pantry Quartlery clothing pantry
School #46 Kroger provided a new pair of shoes to 445 students for Christmas Kroger provided a new pair of shoes and socks to 450 students at Christmas
1.2.9 Access to healthcare (free or affordable)
Agency 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
SouthWest Health Center Provides pediatrics, dental, medical, mental health, podiatry, vision and OB Gyn – 150 patient visits daily up from 100 in 2010. 41,487 medical appointments, including medical, pediatrics, ob-gyn and behavioral. 5000 increase in medical visits.  4700 dental visits.Challenges – Loss of one primary care provider and ongoing improvement of patient knowledge about healthy living and making better choices.
IU School of Nursing – Health Care Outreach 1 day per week basic care and referrals offered 1 day per week basic care and referrals offered
On-site sign up for health insurance at Mary Rigg 1 day per week Marion County Health & Hospital offers sign-up for individuals and families for Hoosier HealthWise 2 x’s per day per week Marion County Health & Hospital offers sign-up for individuals and families for Hoosier HealthWise
Health care provided at GWCHS Nurse practitioner on site 4 day per week Nurse practitioner on site 4 day per week,
GWCHS Fitness Center
  1. $20.00 annual fee, access to IUPUI trainers, 433 individuals worked out in fitness center
  2. 427 individuals – 162 of them adults participated in personal fitness
 420 individuals worked out in the fitness center
WEMO 2 – 12 Step programs weekly
1.2.10 Access to housing assistance
Agency 2011  Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
Mary Rigg 38 people received homeless prevention, 266 people received rental/utility assistance 30 families avoided eviction or homelessness through housing assistance and coaching & 344 individuals and their families received direct housing assistance, including rent or utility help, as well as coaching
WIDC 3 new home owners in partnership with Habitat, 16 Home repairs 3 new home owners in partnership with Habitat, 3 new home owners with the help of Home Funds and 15 Home repairs

1.3 Promote library as a major asset in West Indianapolis

Lead Organization:  WI Library
Partner Organizations: All partners
Action Step Status Description 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
1.3.6 Identify ways the community can help the library and its programs Friends of the Library-WIDC, WICF & LTC are donors Friends of the Library-WIDC, WICF & LTC are donors.  Continue to promote support of our local branch
1.3.7 Continue offering high quality programs to all ages WI hours have been cut by 15 hours per week or 37.5% since this time last year.  Door count is down 4%, Door Count 64,230, Summer Reading program – 500 Community Day – 603, Holiday Tree Lighting – 160 – Bad weather, held at Mary Rigg. Hours restored early in 2012 – Door count 70,448 -8.8% increase, Summer Reading program – 597 – 19.4% increase. Community Day – 638 5.8% increase, Holiday Tree Lighting 872 – 87.65% increase.
1.3.8 Increase circulation and library usage Circulation is up 13%, computer usage is up 14%, MRNC youth activities- before and after school programs, summer camp & summer reading programs. 150 children attended summer reading programCirculation – 74,125 Circulation 87,970 -15.7% increase. New summer reading program – Earn & Learn, offering amnesty to children with delinquent fines. 17 of the 35 who completed program had 100% of fines waived.
1.3.9 Work with neighborhood, city, and state officials to stablize and increase library funding Sustainable Library Citizens Coalition. www.indylibrary.org Actively supporting efforts and coalition with SC staff time SLCC was suspended after hours were restored. Committee is willing to assist with any future efforts required to insure library is adequetely funded. Annual visit with Library CEO.

 

1.4 Maximize school effectiveness and youth involvement/development opportunities

Lead Organization: GWCHS, School 46 & 49
Partner Organization: West Indianapolis Organizations, business & corporate partners
Action Status Decription Partner 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
1.4.8 Support and promote Community Schools in West Indianapolis by organizing all community resources around student success. School #46
  • Community School Coordinator – Full time position funded by IPS Title 1 and United way
  • After school program – Indy Park – 40 children
  • LaShonna Bates Pool – all School 46 students receive swimming lessons as part of their PE curriculum – open to public evenings and weekends
  • Dad’s Club – 75 dads participate with their children – monthly meetings and service projects
  • College prep & careers –  IUPUI student provides programing for 6, 7 & 8 graders (90 students)
  • 20 year partnership with Kroger -Provides food, school  supplies, attendance incentives, reading incentives and job readiness for parents.   445 students receive benefit
  • Lost & Found mentoring – Funded through US Dept of ED grant
  • School Mentors –  Lunch Buddies: 10 mentors/20 students
  • Community School Coordinator – Full time position funded by IPS Title 1 and United way
  • After school program – Indy Park – 40 children
  • LaShonna Bates Pool – all School 46 students receive swimming lessons as part of their PE curriculum – open to public evenings and weekends
  • Dad’s Club – 75 dads participate with their children – monthly meetings and service projects
  • College prep & careers –  IUPUI student provides programing for 6, 7 & 8 graders (90 students)
  • 21 year partnership with Kroger -Provides food, school  supplies, attendance incentives, reading incentives and job readiness for parents.   450 students receive benefit
  • Lost & Found mentoring – Funded through US Dept of ED grant
  • School Mentors – Lunch Buddies 34 mentors/67 students

 
School #49
  • Community School Coordinator -Full time position funded by IPS Title 1 and United way of Central Indiana US Dept of ED grant,
  • College prep & career – IUPUI Student provides programming to 105 students
  • Service learning – KIB Urban garden
  • Soccer Program – Fall, winter, spring sessions 90 students
  • Basketball Programs –
  • Numerous clubs – What and how many students participate
  • Lost & Found mentoring – US Dept of Ed funds
  • After school programing – Indy Parks & school facility – 60 students
  • Community School Coordinator -Full time position funded by IPS Title 1 and United way of Central Indiana US Dept of ED grant,
  • College prep & career – IUPUI Student provides programming to 105 students
  • Service learning – KIB Urban garden
  • Soccer Program – Fall, winter, spring sessions 150 students
  • Basketball Programs –
  • Numerous clubs – 17 clubs
  • Lost & Found mentoring – US Dept of Ed funds
  • After school programing – Indy Parks & school facility – 60 students
GWCHS
  • Community School Coordinator – Full time position funded by US Dept of Education grant and USA Funds
  • College prep & career mentoring- 6 IUPUI students provide  programming to grades 7-12
  • Tutoring via the Learning Center during and after school by IUPUI & Butler students
  • ACE mentoring – Architecture and construction management and engineering careers mentoring
  • Service learning – Youth as Resources and IUPUI during and after school. Available to 7 to 12 grades approximately 50 students participate
  • Teach for America Teachers -6
  • After-school programs – The Hub – 60% of student poplution is enrolled in afterschool program. 61 differenct clubs and activities available in 2011 including tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring and dinner.
  • Indy Park runs pool and is open evenings and weekends to the public
  • PARKS – person fitness program -Morethan 800 individuals – 422 of them adults – participate in personal fitness
    activities  of the IUPUI-sponsored Physically Active Residential Communities and
    Schools afternoons in our state-of-the-art fitness center
  • 75.3% of Washington students graduated within 4 years compared to 47% in 2009- a 28.3% point increase within 2 years.
  • 100% of May 2011 GWCHS graduating seniors were accepted into college
  • School has seen a 500+ increase in student population. 640 to 1,045 students
  • 98% of students are served by at least 1 support service
  • Community School Coordinator – Full time position funded by US Dept of Education grant and USA Funds
  • College prep & career mentoring- 6 IUPUI students provide  programming to grades 7-12
  • Tutoring for 346 students  via the Learning Center during and after school by IUPUI & Butler students
  • ACE mentoring – Architecture and construction management and engineering careers mentoring
  • Service learning – Youth as Resources and IUPUI during and after school. Available to 7 to 12 grades approximately 22 students participate
  • Teach for America Teachers
  • After-school programs – The Hub – 75% of student poplution is enrolled in afterschool program.  57 differenct clubs and activities available in 2012 including tutoring, homework assistance, mentoring and dinner.
  • Indy Park runs pool and is open evenings and weekends to the public
  • PARKS – person fitness program -More than 422students participated in personal fitness activities  of the IUPUI-sponsored Physically Active Residential Communities and schools afternoons in our state-of-the-art fitness center
  • 77% of Washington students graduated within 4 years compared to 47% in 2009
  • 100% GWCHS graduating seniors were accepted into post secondary.
  • 720 individual parents participated in 48 parent engagemnet opportunities
  • IPL donated $250,000 to Mindtrust to increase College Summit at GWCHS. Program expanding to 9th & 10th graders increasing number of participants from 80 to 450.
  • Bi-lingual parent liaison added
MRNC
  • Before and after school programs
  • Summer day camp – 180 Children attended
  • Director of Community Schools – Funded by US Ed of Grant and IUPUI
  • 3 -Full time Community Service staff ensure 1600 WI students have everything they need to succed in school
  • Before and after school programs – 49 children
  • Summer day camp – 180 Children attended (max)
  • Director of Community Schools – Funded by US Ed of Grant and IUPUI
  • 3 -Full time Community Service staff ensure 2000 at-risk children were connected to tutoring, food, clothing, medical care, scholarships and after-school activities.
  • 400 Books distributed at Gift A Child to encourage a love of reading

 
LTC
  • Lilly Teacher’s Day – free science equipment to WI Science teachers
  • Lilly Scholarship – 3 scholarships awarded in 2011, 2/2 year & 1/4 year ($1000 each/per year)
  • High School Summer Intern (1)
  • United Way Read-Up at School #46 & 49  – 80 tutors
  • Back Pack Attack to School 46 & 49 students
  • Lilly Scholarship – 3 scholarships awarded in 2012, 1/4 year, 1/3 year & 1/2 year($1000 each/per year).  3 renewals
  • United Way Read-Up at School #46 & 49 –  170 tutors
  • Particiapted in United Way Back Pack attack.  Some where delivered to Mary Rigg.
  • 30 School mentors. 47 students
IPL GWCHS career mentoring program – started fall of 2011, starting with 7th graders and parents (150 students) Revamping with new Community Outreach Coordinator
HeadStart Early childhood education – 150 preschool children attend Early childhood education – 150 preschool children attend
WEMO/Peace Park
  • West Park open to public
  • Seeds in the Sidewalk-engaging juvenile offenders in mentoring program. Includes children from Ben Davis, GWCHS, Mary Rigg.

14 young adults successfully completed the program

336 collective hours of community service completed

Participated in community resource offered by Mary Rigg

2 young men enrolled in GED classed

Youth visited IU Bloomington

  • 3 on 3 basketball tournaments coordinated throughout the year
 West Park open to public

  • 3 on 3 basketball tournaments coordinated throughout the year

Seeds in the Sidewalk-engaging juvenile offenders in mentoring program. Includes children from Ben Davis, GWCHS, Mary Rigg.

  • 24 participates, 10 Bigs, 14 Littles
  • 10 youth and adults successfully completed the program
  • 490 collective hours of community service completed
  • Participated in community resource offered by Mary Rigg
  • x young men enrolled in GED classed
  • Youth visited IU Bloomington through Mary Rigg programming

 
IPS GED classes offered at Mary Rigg – 3 x’s daily, ESL classes offered at GWCHS – 482 individuals attended classes GED classes offered at Mary Rigg – 3 x’s daily,

1.5 Change community mindset about education

Lead Organization: SC Coordinator
Partner Organizations: GWCHS, School #46 & #49, Indy Reads, Library
Action Step Status Description Comments 2011 Year End Update 2012 Year End Update
 1.5.1   Effectively & efficiently  communicate school strengths to all community stakeholders
  1. New initiative for 2011 – 1.5 Change community mindset about education.
  2. Sending monthly newsletter via Constant Contact – 450 addresses, news blasts via email to 500 addresses, Facebook updated 4-5 days per week with pertinent neighborhood information
 Monthly newsletter sent to 420 contacts with 130 open rate. Facebook updated- 130 friends up from 30 in 2011
 1.5.2   Effectively communicate GED programs to targeted young adults Yes Coordinators, school community coordinators promoting All 3 GED classes at Mary Rigg are at capacity All 3 GED classes at Mary Rigg are at capacity
 1.5.3   Promote local access to Indy Reads/adult literacy specific programs WI Library/GED classes promote
  1. Participated in Community Day to seek volunteer tutors and promote literacy services, promoted at WI Library, serve as coaches for those attending GED classes
 Indy Reads nable to particiapte in Community Day in 2012, will be in attendance in 2013.
1.5.4 Take every child and a caring adult/parent by grade 6 on a college awareness trip WI Goes to College trip planned for enrichment week of intersession. Details pending
  1. 45 students visited IUPUI in November
 All WI 6th graders visited IUPUI
1.5.5   Promote Dollars for Scholars, Kroger School #46 scholarship, LTC scholarship, 21st Century Scholarship LTC awarded scholarship, all schools working diligently to insure all qualified students are signed up for 21st Century scholarship before they leave 8th grade, Kroger provides quarterly scholarships to School #46 students who meet program requirements LTC awarded 2 scholarships at Community Day.  Schools working to insure all eligible students are signed up for 21 Centurey Scholarship. Kroger Scholarships provided quarterly at School #46
1.5.6 WI joins Westside Education Task Force The goal is two-fold: to create an evidence-based, P-20 continuum, powerfully
changing the educational outcomes of our children as well as the educational
attainment and careers of adult residents; while also enhancing and stabilizing
the housing development and public health needs of the residents living in the
Westside communities of Indianapolis, Indiana.