The Quality of Life Plan will serve as a guiding document for neighborhood residents and leaders. The plan provides a picture of the vision and spirit of the near Eastside.
In order to truly represent the diversity and spirit of the near Eastside, the planning process was designed with a strong focus on inclusivity.
Recognizing that the planning process has significant implications for the future of the neighborhood, specifically marginalized neighbors, the 2019/2020 planning process had a strong focus on inclusivity. Several tactics neighborhood leaders utilized to prioritize inclusivity and equity in the planning and implementation process were:
- Open hours at coffee shops – allowing neighbors to stop by at their convenience and talk one on one with Quality of Life Plan leaders
- Resident-led interviews – neighbors interviewing neighbors, on porches, in coffee shops, and at the library, to minimize barriers to participation
- Increased focus on engagement through previously established groups and mechanisms for gaining feedback, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel!
- Hiring five community organizers to ensure that historically marginalized voices – including seniors, African American/Black neighbors, Spanish-speaking neighbors and renting neighbors – were heard throughout the process
Although neighborhood leaders strived to be as inclusive as possible, not every single neighbor was included in the planning process and the plan is not perfectly equitable.
In order to continue to promote equity and inclusion in the implementation process, the plan designates the creation of nine community action teams. These teams will guide the implementation of the plan alongside the designated lead agency. The community action teams will ensure that neighborhood voices are heard and that neighborhood leaders continue to pursue increased equity in the implementation of the plan.
Plan Components
Gather Data & Fundraise
Planning commenced with the distribution of a neighborhood survey, outreach to neighborhood leaders, and fundraising for the hiring of a process facilitator. The survey was distributed via the Near Eastside News, social media platforms, survey collection boxes at small businesses, neighborhood associations, and canvassing events. Also, neighborhood leaders, business owners, and residents took part in appreciative interviews which were later analyzed to determine themes that underlie neighborhood dreams and concerns.
Engage
A series of in-person events were planned to review the previous plan, generate excitement and ideas for the new plan and gather information from residents about their vision for the future of the near Eastside. In the summer of 2019, five community organizers were hired to lead these canvassing events and neighborhood outreach. The community organizers knocked on over 7,500 doors and held multiple focus groups with residents to increase engagement and promote participation in Near Eastside Visioning Day. Visioning day took place at Arsenal Technical High School, where over 250 neighborhood members attended and worked in 30 table groups to identify their priorities and ideas for the plan.
Develop
After Visioning Day, neighborhood members worked in 8 – and later 9, with the addition of sustainability – action groups to create the new Quality of Life Plan. Each month, neighbors met together to get into the nitty gritty of creating a neighborhood plan, including the identification of priorities, action items, and partners for each section. Their work culminated in a final open house where neighbors and stakeholders could review the work done so far and provide comments on the plan’s content. Afterwards the plan was edited and released for an open comment period. The plan was approved and certified by the City of Indianapolis on May 5th, 2020.
Implement
Upon the completion, the new Quality of Life plan will guide the work and priorities for the near Eastside. Community Action Teams (CATs) and a variety of near Eastside non-profits will work together to guide and facilitate the implementation of the plan.