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About The Process
 
Just outside the heart of downtown Indianapolis, twenty different neighborhoods form a community possessing the spirit and know-how to make the Near Eastside a great place to live, work, and play. Connected by shared challenges and goals, these neighborhoods began to work collectively through the Near East Side Community Organization (NESCO), a volunteer-driven association of active residents, businesses, and property owners. In summer 2006, the Near Eastside was selected by (LISC) as one of six-Indianapolis neighborhoods to participate in the demonstration initiative for Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative (GINI).

The spirit of the Near Eastside community exists because of its strong sense of history combined with a dedication to community development. While there is a good amount of civic engagement in our community, we recognize the need to continue to diversify the neighborhood leadership to reflect the ethnic and economic face of our community. The engagement of all community leaders and the incubation of new leadership are a priority.

In June 2005, through a NESCO initiative, the Near Eastside Collaborative Taskforce was formed to address critical quality of life issues on the Near Eastside. The taskforce was the driving force behind the Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative Letter of Intent. With the leadership of NESCO, the taskforce will facilitate the implementation of community building and quality of life planning activities as the steering body for both the Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiatives and the City of Indianapolis Redevelopment Area and Ho TIF.

Near Eastside neighbors will collaborate on issues affecting the neighborhood such as housing, employment, safety and beautification. Great Indy Neighborhoods will provide support through staffing, planning and seed funding while neighbors provide the energy and ideas needed to re-envision our neighborhoods.
 
About Great Indy Neighborhoods
The Near Eastside quality of life planning process is part of the city-wide Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative.  In 2006, the Near Eastside was selected as one of six pilot neighborhoods selected through the GINI "Demonstration Initiative."  This initiative provides the Near Eastside area with: operating support for staffing dedicated to community building, quality of life planning and plan implementation activities; technical support for quality of life planning; financial and technical assistance for organizational development; and seed funding for plan implementation.

For complete information on the Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative, visit www.greatindyneighborhoods.org.

 
More Info on GINI
What is Great Indy Neighborhoods?
Great Indy Neighborhoods is a set of initiatives established to support Indianapolis neighborhoods. The goals of these initiatives are to encourage neighbors to work together across traditional boundaries to:
  • Organize and get involved in their neighborhood;
  • Decide collectively on the priorities for their neighborhood; and
  • Act on those priorities to implement change in their neighborhood.
What are the Initiatives?
The Demonstration Initiative strives to pilot a renewed approach to community development activities that promotes comprehensive, neighborhood-driven improvements. This Initiative provides targeted support for six neighborhoods selected through a competitive application process in summer 2006. These neighborhoods receive:
  1. operating support for staffing dedicated to community building, quality of life planning and plan implementation activities;
  2. technical support for quality of life planning;
  3. financial and technical assistance for organizational development; and
  4. seed funding for plan implementation.
The Engagement Initiative seeks to support neighborhoods across Indianapolis to identify and develop neighborhood leaders; connect neighbors to one another and other resources in and around their neighborhood; and communicate the strength of Indianapolis neighborhoods and the good work of the people that live, work and play in them. This Initiative provides:
  1. intensive community building technical assistance to neighborhoods;
  2. new tools to assist neighbors to implement change;
  3. venues for improved communication within neighborhoods, among neighborhoods and between neighborhoods and the community-at-large;
  4. training for neighborhood leaders in the art of community building; and
  5. mini-grants to support the implementation of neighbor-driven improvements.
How does it work?
Through Great Indy Neighborhoods, neighbors collaborate on issues affecting the area in which they live and work like education, employment, safety and beautification. Great Indy Neighborhoods provides support through staffing, planning and seed funding – but the neighborhoods make it happen.
 
Why is it necessary?
Much progress has been made over the last 25 years to create positive changes in Indianapolis neighborhoods. Now it is time to take that progress to the next level with a more holistic and comprehensive approach.
 
Who is involved?
Indianapolis neighborhoods and the people who live, work, play and worship there. Their efforts will be supported by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center (INRC), the City of Indianapolis, and a Steering Committee comprised of 40 different individuals representing Indianapolis community leadership.
 
How is Great Indy Neighborhoods different?
Within each neighborhood, there are many groups and organizations sharing the same goal of making the place they call home great. While they work together on some levels, in most neighborhoods, there is not a comprehensive plan for collectively moving the neighborhood toward continued growth. Great Indy Neighborhoods celebrates the work already accomplished and provides the opportunity for neighbors to continue enhancing their neighborhoods – together.