Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard today celebrated the recognition of the City of Indianapolis being named a 2009 Playful City USA community by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing play back into children’s lives.
Indianapolis is one of 93 communities across 33 states to be recognized for affirming its commitment to play and creating an articulated action plan for play.
“The City of Indianapolis recognizes the importance of playtime in the daily lives of our children, and we are committed to incorporating activities that lead to children who are fitter, healthier and perform better in school,” said Mayor Ballard. “This honor highlights our efforts to make play spaces available to all children and affirms our efforts to provide quality recreation opportunities that are accessible to all Marion County residents.”
Award criteria included demonstrating creative commitments to increase the quantity and quality of play and playgrounds while improving access to existing play opportunities. A Play Committee formed earlier this year designed an annual action plan for play, conducted a playspace audit, identified key play-related metrics and proclaimed an annual “Play Day.”
Members of this committee are Indy Parks School and Family Programs Administrator Leslie Power; United Way of Central Indianapolis/Marion County Success by 6 Director Ted Maple; Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana Play and Learn Program Chairperson and Associate Professor Ann Aull; Fit City Executive Director Eleather Baker; The Project School Principal Tarrance Banks and Sullivan Munse Museum Director Kay Cunningham.
“The unique initiatives developed by these organizations and others across Marion County signify our priority as a community to share creative ideas, concepts and programs with the goal of increasing play opportunities for children,” said Indy Parks Director Stuart Lowry.
The citywide Indy Play Celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. A Play Day Program Guide consisting of all playful activities and events planned for that date will be available, and a proclamation will be read at 11 a.m. at Perry Park on the City’s Southside. The Indy Play Celebration takes place within KaBOOM!’s National Week in Play Sept. 19-Sept. 28, which makes Indianapolis eligible to receive a free playground. Indianapolis will continue to incorporate play into its programs and encourage play year round. Organizations interested in participating in the Indy Play Celebration should contact Indy Parks Marketing Coordinator Jenny Evans at jrevans@indy.gov or (317) 327-7030.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Upcoming Workshops at BOI
Looking ahead to the week of Sept. 21
Small-Business Taxes
Understand the kinds of taxes you are responsible for as a small-business owner and identify ways to save money on taxes with eligible tax deductions. $10
Monday, Sept. 21, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: Jon Pryweller, CPA, Whitewater Group
Read more
Beyond Facebook – Legal Issues in Marketing Your Company
Learn the basic legal principles of promotional law, including avoiding copyright infringement, laws governing the use of promotions such as sweepstakes and contests, and what not to do when marketing online. $10
Monday, Sept. 21, 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: Hannah Joseph, Hollingsworth & Zivitz
Read more
Child-Care Business Management and Operations
Learn the key policies, procedures and systems that you should have in place to efficiently operate your child-care business, including how to develop an effective business plan and parent handbook. $10
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: Crystal Coleman, Child Care Answers
Read more
Introduction to QuickBooks®
In this two-part workshop, learn how to use QuickBooks Pro® accounting software to effectively manage your business finances. Practice hands-on how to set up your company, manage your accounts and enter your business transactions. This is a beginner-level class for novice QuickBooks users. $50
Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: John Ervin, CPA, Marietta Financial Services
Read more
Business Beginnings
In this 20-hour course, write your business plan and learn valuable business-management skills in the areas of finances, marketing and more. (Preregistration and prepayment are required for this series.)
Saturdays, Sept. 26 – Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: To be determined
Instructor: Carol Applegate, BOI
Read more
Small-Business Taxes
Understand the kinds of taxes you are responsible for as a small-business owner and identify ways to save money on taxes with eligible tax deductions. $10
Monday, Sept. 21, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: Jon Pryweller, CPA, Whitewater Group
Read more
Beyond Facebook – Legal Issues in Marketing Your Company
Learn the basic legal principles of promotional law, including avoiding copyright infringement, laws governing the use of promotions such as sweepstakes and contests, and what not to do when marketing online. $10
Monday, Sept. 21, 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: Hannah Joseph, Hollingsworth & Zivitz
Read more
Child-Care Business Management and Operations
Learn the key policies, procedures and systems that you should have in place to efficiently operate your child-care business, including how to develop an effective business plan and parent handbook. $10
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: Crystal Coleman, Child Care Answers
Read more
Introduction to QuickBooks®
In this two-part workshop, learn how to use QuickBooks Pro® accounting software to effectively manage your business finances. Practice hands-on how to set up your company, manage your accounts and enter your business transactions. This is a beginner-level class for novice QuickBooks users. $50
Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: BOI, 4755 Kingsway Dr., Suite 314
Instructor: John Ervin, CPA, Marietta Financial Services
Read more
Business Beginnings
In this 20-hour course, write your business plan and learn valuable business-management skills in the areas of finances, marketing and more. (Preregistration and prepayment are required for this series.)
Saturdays, Sept. 26 – Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: To be determined
Instructor: Carol Applegate, BOI
Read more
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Party on the Square--Moving the Pioneer Family
You’d think with fifteen years of lead time we could plan a party and get the invitations out in a timely manner. With a complicated project like our fountain, we have to work with the schedule of the contractor. That means thinking on our feet and last-minute planning.
So, I apologize for the short notice, but please join us next Tuesday, Sept. 8th on the Square at 3:00 for this important kickoff event.
So, I apologize for the short notice, but please join us next Tuesday, Sept. 8th on the Square at 3:00 for this important kickoff event.
OFFICE OF CODE ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP TEAM HEADS OUT TO NEIGHBORHOODS
Residents Are Invited to Attend One of the Nine Public Meetings in Their Township
The Office of Code Enforcement (OCE) will hold public meetings in each of the nine townships during September and October. KNOW THE CODE! And Get to Know Your Office of Code Enforcement Leadership Team for the City of Indianapolis provides citizens an opportunity to meet OCE’s Leadership Team and learn about its mission, becoming a new city department, and the services that have been consolidated under OCE.
“We have worked diligently over the past seven months to streamline the city’s licensing, permitting, inspection, and abatement functions under the new Office of Code Enforcement,” said OCE Director Rick Powers. “Code enforcement has a significant impact on the safety and welfare of our neighborhoods, and we are building an integral city department to improve vital services by coordinating and focusing resources on those essential functions that keep our city clean, safe, healthy, and vibrant.”
The OCE Leadership Team will be available for a question and answer session following a brief presentation. Residents are encouraged to come out and offer input regarding city services and quality of life issues, including:
* Licensing - business and contractor licenses
* Permitting - building, infrastructure, sign, and special event permits
* Inspections - building, infrastructure, and zoning inspections
* Abatement - public nuisance and zoning violations, such as inoperable vehicles, high weeds and grass, illegal signs, commercial vehicles, and other property-related issues
“This series of public meetings is a vital component to us moving forward as a new city department,” said Powers. “Not only are these forums for citizens to get to know who we are and what we do, but they give us an opportunity to hear what is going on in neighborhoods across Indianapolis and receive citizen feedback on how we can improve services and enforcement efforts to better serve the public.”
Wednesday, September 30
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Township: Center
Office of Code Enforcement
1200 Madison Ave., Ste. 100
The Office of Code Enforcement (OCE) will hold public meetings in each of the nine townships during September and October. KNOW THE CODE! And Get to Know Your Office of Code Enforcement Leadership Team for the City of Indianapolis provides citizens an opportunity to meet OCE’s Leadership Team and learn about its mission, becoming a new city department, and the services that have been consolidated under OCE.
“We have worked diligently over the past seven months to streamline the city’s licensing, permitting, inspection, and abatement functions under the new Office of Code Enforcement,” said OCE Director Rick Powers. “Code enforcement has a significant impact on the safety and welfare of our neighborhoods, and we are building an integral city department to improve vital services by coordinating and focusing resources on those essential functions that keep our city clean, safe, healthy, and vibrant.”
The OCE Leadership Team will be available for a question and answer session following a brief presentation. Residents are encouraged to come out and offer input regarding city services and quality of life issues, including:
* Licensing - business and contractor licenses
* Permitting - building, infrastructure, sign, and special event permits
* Inspections - building, infrastructure, and zoning inspections
* Abatement - public nuisance and zoning violations, such as inoperable vehicles, high weeds and grass, illegal signs, commercial vehicles, and other property-related issues
“This series of public meetings is a vital component to us moving forward as a new city department,” said Powers. “Not only are these forums for citizens to get to know who we are and what we do, but they give us an opportunity to hear what is going on in neighborhoods across Indianapolis and receive citizen feedback on how we can improve services and enforcement efforts to better serve the public.”
Wednesday, September 30
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Township: Center
Office of Code Enforcement
1200 Madison Ave., Ste. 100
901 Farmer's Market
Come and shop this Saturday at the 901 Farmer's Market. We have expanded and will be offering fresh produce, herbs, plants, baked goods, jewelry, arts and crafts and a flea market. Admission is free. Vendors are welcome. $10 a table.
901 Farmer's Market
Saturday September 5, 2009
9am - noon
Southeast Community Services
901 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Call (317) 607.3235 or 317.283.8748
901 Farmer's Market
Saturday September 5, 2009
9am - noon
Southeast Community Services
901 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Call (317) 607.3235 or 317.283.8748
LOCAL AGENCIES TO RECEIVE $5.8 MILLION FOR HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID-REHOUSING SERVICES
United Way estimates more than 2,000 households will be helped with federal stimulus funds
INDIANAPOLIS - Twenty local agencies that help open doors for people without homes or those at risk of becoming homeless are getting an infusion of $5.8 million to address the challenges made even more crucial during these tough times. That news came today from United Way of Central Indiana's (UWCI) headquarters where Mayor Greg Ballard joined UWCI's President and CEO Ellen K. Annala to announce grant recipients.
"These 20 grantees will help give more of our neighbors one of the most basic human needs: a safe place to call home," said Mayor Ballard. "We are excited to be able to award these funds to such deserving institutions who will work to provide a better quality of life for our neighbors in need."
The total funding includes $3.5 million from the city and $2.3 million from the state through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program under Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will help an estimated 2,044 households, according to United Way.
For individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless, the funds will help pay short and medium-term rental assistance, security and utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance and motel/hotel vouchers.
For those already homeless, the funds will be used to help arrange, coordinate, monitor and deliver housing-related services. That can include outreach and engagement, legal services, developing individualized housing plans, housing search and placement, and credit repair.
Unlike many direct assistance programs, this program can provide up to 18 months of support for participants but requires that they be recertified every three months to show progress toward housing stability.
"Local need is growing," said Annala, citing data collected about calls to 2-1-1. Last year calls for help to make a rent or mortgage payment jumped 47 percent compared to 2007. More than half of those were needs that remained unmet.
"Neighborhood based community centers are often the first organizations that families in serious need turn to for assistance," said Annala. "These organizations, along with other charitable organizations, are experiencing extraordinary requests for assistance. Nearly all organizations have waiting lists of families needing help due to lay-offs, reduced hours and trouble finding new jobs."
Grantees are:
1. Community Alliance of the Far Eastside Inc. - $265,000
2. Children's Bureau Inc. - $227,000
3. Christamore House Family and Community Center - $240,000
4. Concord Neighborhood Center - $340,000
5. Fathers and Families Center - $240,000
6. Flanner House of Indianapolis Inc. - $303,000
7. Forest Manor Multi-Service Center Inc.- $280,000
8. Hawthorne Social Service Association Inc. - $370,000
9. HealthNet Inc. (Homeless Initiative Program) - $478,800
10. Horizon House - $433,860
11. HVAF of Indiana Inc. - $237,577
12. Indiana Legal Services Inc. - $100,000
13. John H. Boner Community Center - $265,000
14. Martin Luther King Community Center - $189,959
15. Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center - $370,000
16. Oasis Christian CDC - $181,930
17. PACE/OAR Inc. - $373,000
18. Southeast Community Services Inc. - $165,000
19. The Salvation Army Social Service Center - $467,070
20. Volunteers of America of Indiana Inc. - $330,000
INDIANAPOLIS - Twenty local agencies that help open doors for people without homes or those at risk of becoming homeless are getting an infusion of $5.8 million to address the challenges made even more crucial during these tough times. That news came today from United Way of Central Indiana's (UWCI) headquarters where Mayor Greg Ballard joined UWCI's President and CEO Ellen K. Annala to announce grant recipients.
"These 20 grantees will help give more of our neighbors one of the most basic human needs: a safe place to call home," said Mayor Ballard. "We are excited to be able to award these funds to such deserving institutions who will work to provide a better quality of life for our neighbors in need."
The total funding includes $3.5 million from the city and $2.3 million from the state through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program under Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These funds, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will help an estimated 2,044 households, according to United Way.
For individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless, the funds will help pay short and medium-term rental assistance, security and utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance and motel/hotel vouchers.
For those already homeless, the funds will be used to help arrange, coordinate, monitor and deliver housing-related services. That can include outreach and engagement, legal services, developing individualized housing plans, housing search and placement, and credit repair.
Unlike many direct assistance programs, this program can provide up to 18 months of support for participants but requires that they be recertified every three months to show progress toward housing stability.
"Local need is growing," said Annala, citing data collected about calls to 2-1-1. Last year calls for help to make a rent or mortgage payment jumped 47 percent compared to 2007. More than half of those were needs that remained unmet.
"Neighborhood based community centers are often the first organizations that families in serious need turn to for assistance," said Annala. "These organizations, along with other charitable organizations, are experiencing extraordinary requests for assistance. Nearly all organizations have waiting lists of families needing help due to lay-offs, reduced hours and trouble finding new jobs."
Grantees are:
1. Community Alliance of the Far Eastside Inc. - $265,000
2. Children's Bureau Inc. - $227,000
3. Christamore House Family and Community Center - $240,000
4. Concord Neighborhood Center - $340,000
5. Fathers and Families Center - $240,000
6. Flanner House of Indianapolis Inc. - $303,000
7. Forest Manor Multi-Service Center Inc.- $280,000
8. Hawthorne Social Service Association Inc. - $370,000
9. HealthNet Inc. (Homeless Initiative Program) - $478,800
10. Horizon House - $433,860
11. HVAF of Indiana Inc. - $237,577
12. Indiana Legal Services Inc. - $100,000
13. John H. Boner Community Center - $265,000
14. Martin Luther King Community Center - $189,959
15. Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center - $370,000
16. Oasis Christian CDC - $181,930
17. PACE/OAR Inc. - $373,000
18. Southeast Community Services Inc. - $165,000
19. The Salvation Army Social Service Center - $467,070
20. Volunteers of America of Indiana Inc. - $330,000
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
MAYOR GREG BALLARD’S PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL DIVERSITY TASK FORCE TO MEET
On September 3, 2009, Co-Chairs Joe Slash, President of the Indianapolis Urban League and Rev. Richard Willoughby and members of Mayor Greg Ballard’s Public Safety Personnel Diversity Task Force will take public comment and hear from city officials about the history and status of recruitment, hiring and promotional processes in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD).
The task force is charged to review recruitment, hiring, and promotional practices and policies within IFD and IMPD and to recommend further improvements that will ensure the City’s public safety forces reflect the diversity within the Indianapolis community.
This first meeting is intended to focus on an overview from city officials to inform members of the task force. Substantial time will be dedicated to public comment so that task force members can take citizens’ concerns into account as the work of the task force progresses.
WHO: MAYOR GREG BALLARD’S PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL DIVERSITY TASK FORCE
WHAT: PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL DIVERSITY TASK FORCE MEETING
WHERE: Public Assembly Room, City County Building
WHEN: 4:00 P.M. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
The task force is charged to review recruitment, hiring, and promotional practices and policies within IFD and IMPD and to recommend further improvements that will ensure the City’s public safety forces reflect the diversity within the Indianapolis community.
This first meeting is intended to focus on an overview from city officials to inform members of the task force. Substantial time will be dedicated to public comment so that task force members can take citizens’ concerns into account as the work of the task force progresses.
WHO: MAYOR GREG BALLARD’S PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL DIVERSITY TASK FORCE
WHAT: PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL DIVERSITY TASK FORCE MEETING
WHERE: Public Assembly Room, City County Building
WHEN: 4:00 P.M. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
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