Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 January 2002 — Page 3

PAGE A3

FRIDAY, JANUARY IS, 2002 ... Survey reveals neighborhood assets It started with a knock at the community was conducted by 22 units, crime, racial profiling, the door residents who interviewed their lack of sidewalks, trash in alleys. The Greater Citizens Coalition neighbors in 420 households, as and loitering, of Martindale-Brightwood wanted well as 14 business owners and the When asked about their dreams, to tell residents about the neigh- leaders of two churches. Oak Hill residents wanted more borhoodorganizationsandservices “We really learned about all of stores, increased beautification of available to assist them. the skills and talents of the indi- the area, more activities for their They also needed a way to get' viduals and what they may be able children and grandchildren, a reneighbors to connect and share to contribute to the community, duction of crime, and improved ideas about their hopes and con- and what the churches and busi- infrastructure, cems for the area nesses were willing to do as well,” Businesses surveyed said they Their approach: go door-to- said resident Delilah Moss. would be willing to give back to door, neighborhood by neighbor- “In some instances, residents the community in the form of serhood to find the answers and build were able to express their needs,” vices, such as providing volunteers community.TheresultistheCom- said Peggy Storey, recalling how from their companies for neighmunity Asset Building Project, a an interviewer located a neighbor- borhood projects, adopting blocks, survey identifying the strengths of hood handy man who volunteered streets or strips of property to mainthe Eastside neighborhood. to repair an elderly resident’s home, tain, and offering financial supMembers of the neighborhood Interviewers also shared infer- P 0 ^ l association’s Public Safety and mation with residents about Meals On the other hand, interviewers Housing & Economic Develop- on Wheels programs, health ser- were not as successful in getting ment committees spearheaded the vices, and financial assistance pro- the support of the six local churches project. Committee members de- grams. in the 3163 The committee expects veloped survey questions, re- “Youreally found out what was to continue building those Ues. cruited and trained volunteers from going on in your neighborhood, “This one-on-one meeting your the neighborhood to serve as inter- who needed help, and who could neighbor is a strong community viewers, data specialists, and data give help,” Storey added. tool, said resident Val Tate, processors. Survey results were delivered to With one survey complete, the “Some of the interviewers told residents in the same door-to-door, committee has started work in the us they were amazed at the raw neighborhood by neighborhood other neighborhoods. A committalent (of individuals) that lived manner in which the data was gath- tee celebration is planned for early right next door to them or right ered. this year, down the street,” said committee The survey revealed a wide It was hard in the beginning to member Mattie Holliday. range of occupations and skills in get residents to talk because people “People in Martindale- the neighborhood, including, 52 didn’t trust each other. Moss said. Brightwood began to talk to each residents in trades, 172 health/pro- “But through this process, we other, and they began to feel good fessional, and 224 with special found that people really wanted to about themselves, their neighbor- skills, such as painters and land- be part of the community and the hood, and this community,” she scapers. neighborhood. They didn t know said Other findings included con- how. This survey opened the door. The first survey ofthe Oak Hill cems about drug houses, vacant Storey added.

YOU

Continued from A1 developed a well-rounded set of art skills and techniques and has moved from drawing to actually instructing younger students in the art center’s outreach programs. “This is what feeds me to work with paper as an administrator,” said Pearson. “To see and watch a person like Derrick and know that life really evolves when you start paying attention to what goes on inside, I believe in that force.” Art Center President and Executive Director Joyce A. Sommers agrees with Pearson and said that’s why she initiated the mentor program back in 1994. “We think of Derrick as one of our models where it is very clear how art can be used as a self awareness building tool,” said Sommers. “His talent is so apparent, and I hope he can use some of the life skills he’s learned through creating his art to track his life.” Over the next several months Johnson will be busy working on trying to obtain his GED, acquire his driver’s license, further develop his art portfolio and work to get some of his work in a few local

galleries.

“I never want to leave this place because I know these people care about me. They helped me get my life back through showing me this art thing and I see how far they brought me, and I now like the person I am,” he said. Indianapolis Art Center hours are Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 3 p.m. For more information, call 255-

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