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Prosperity Indiana is seeking a reduced full-time (1,200 hours, eight month term) AmeriCorps member to help Indiana nonprofits fill capacity gaps and use data to tell the story of their impact.
Organization Overview: Prosperity Indiana supports a network of individuals and organizations - community-based nonprofits and government entities - by providing capacity, financial resources, expertise, and connections that make community development work in Indiana.
Duties:
Qualifications: Candidates must possess organizational and leadership skills, verbal and written communication skills and work both independently and as a team player. They should have an interest in asset-based assessments and utilizing metrics to inform the delivery of outcomes, and preferably have experience with research methods, tool design and validation. Candidates should also have an understanding of communications strategies and storytelling to connect data with impact, as well as an understanding of community economic development and nonprofits.
For more information, please contact Carey Craig at ccraig@prosperityindiana.org, or at (317) 565-7751.
In this series, we're getting to know our members on a personal AND professional level! Keep reading to learn more about a few of your exceptional peers in the community economic development industry!
Anne Mannix, Neighborhood Development Associates, LLC
Tell us how you first got involved with your organization? Or how did you get started in this work?
After graduating from college, I was a case manager with an after care program for a state mental hospital. We worked with chronically mentally ill persons who were living in nursing homes and boarding homes. I could see that the people were being exploited and felt powerless to do anything. So I decided to go to a city planning program. That was a little too removed from the action for me. So I secretly transferred my internship to a public housing authority that was doing a lot of real estate development and I loved it. This meant taking a chance because I could have lost my scholarship and living stipend if the state administrators found out what I did. I worked at the housing authority and several community development organizations for about 15 years. In 1997, I wanted to do more varied projects in different cities so I started Neighborhood Development, a consulting organization.
What’s kept you there?
I like helping people by providing affordable housing. It is challenging and at the end it is exciting to see the projects get built. Occasionally I get to talk to the people that live in the developments and that is a great reminder of why we all do our work.
What are you seeing on the horizon that we’re not paying enough attention to?
The baby boomers are retiring and new leadership is emerging. We need to maintain the pioneering spirit and commitment of those who started community development. I have faith that this transition will work out.
What changes are coming to your organization over the next year?
I am planning to reduce my workload and focus on working with groups in South Bend. Christine Deutscher, a coworker is taking over and doing all work outside of South Bend.
Which of Prosperity Indiana’s five values: empowerment, integrity, impact, social justice or collaboration, speak the most to you and why?
I think collaboration is the most relevant for Prosperity. Collaboration is critical to the success of any project. Many people have taught me so much and I hope I have put some of that back out to the community.
Who/what inspires you?
Last night I went to the annual meeting of South Bend Mutual Homes, a resident housing cooperative. The residents are starting to build community and to get to know each other. One resident has a rough way of talking and another resident said “She’s not mad at you. She just talks like that.” One of the men in the group had organized a day long recreational outing for the other men who had not been active before. It was a little chaotic but people were at home and talked about things that mattered to them. Other things that inspire me are watching our Mayor Pete Buttigieg put his campaign together and watching South Bend grow from what was called a dying city to a city that is growing and grappling with issues.
What was unique about your childhood?
My family lived in several different cities including Tulsa, Houston, North Stamford CT, Bangkok and Tokyo. I learned to adapt to different environments and to be flexible. In between semesters in college, I took the bus around Bangkok exploring the city and that was a great adventure.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t really know. My family did not expect me to work and I didn’t see many people in their workplaces. When I was in high school, I worked in a hospital and I wanted to be a nurse but that would have been a disaster since I was terrible at chemistry and anatomy and physiology. The nurses I worked with told me that I should be a lawyer since I argued too much and wouldn’t get along with the doctors. I never became a lawyer but they were right.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
I like working on our old house, working in the yard, and trying to get some exercise, either biking or walking with a friend. Also I like to cook, spend time with my family and have four new grandchildren to hang out with.
What talent or superpower would you most like to have?
I would like to be one if those people who is good at accounting and is a perfectionist.
What do you collect?
I have a collection of cat statues and also a teapot collection.
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
I Am Woman of course. Also Learning to Fly with lots of audience participation. This would never happen but it is nice to think about.
Doris Sims, Housing and Neighborhood Director, City of Bloomington
I have worked with the City of Bloomington for over 30 years in two departments, Human Resources and in the Housing and Neighborhood Department (HAND). I have primarily worked in the HAND Department over my career with the city. I returned as Director of the department through the appointment of Mayor John Hamilton when he became mayor in 2016.
I love working in the field of community development and housing because it touches so many people lives in various ways. I feel that our name of Housing and Neighborhood Development speaks to the variety of activities and programs that make up the department. From housing counseling, public service agency assistance, working with Bloomington neighborhoods, historic preservation activities, and providing housing assistance to developers, not-for profits, and the local public housing authority to build, renovate, and provide housing assistance, is some of the things we do. In addition, the department runs a very active housing inspection program for the more than 21,000 rental units located within the Bloomington community.
What changes are coming to your organization over the next few years?
Like so many communities, the city is looking at ways to provide more affordable housing. One of the most exciting projects that will happen within the next 2-3 years is the redevelopment of the current hospital site which is located near our downtown area. The city acquired the 24 acre site of our current hospital which is in the process of building a new facility. A study has already been undertaken which outlined the potential redevelopment of the site into housing and office space. I am looking forward as the HAND Director to being a part of the redevelopment of the site to bring affordable housing along with other economic development to the city.
What is your favorite indulgence?
My favorite indulgence, or more like an obsession is shoes! I “LOVE” shoes. I have over 200 pairs!! In my spare time when I am not shopping for shoes, I like to scrapbook. It is so much fun to look back over different memorable events in my life through the scrapbook pages.
Tysha Hardy-Sellers, Edna Martin Christian Center
It’s hard to believe that I was hired at Edna Martin Christian Center 11 years ago! After years in media, corporate, government roles, and time spent growing a business, I realized that whatever my role, an activity, initiative, or project would lead back to the near-northeastside Indianapolis community where I was born and raised—Martindale-Brightwood. I was looking for ways to directly contribute to the community and saw there was an Executive Director position open at EMCC. After researching and learning that the agency had deep roots in social justice and meeting with the board and feeling the strong support of individuals not only locally, but across the nation due to its affiliation with the American Baptist Churches, which included Martin Luther King Jr as a leader, I knew this was a place I wanted to call my professional home.
Although great strides have been made increasing community resources, developing assets, amplifying community voice and increasing involvement, there’s more work to do. I look forward to working with a cross-section of community partners to affect change Our community goals are to address educational attainment, economic mobility, infrastructure improvements, reduced crime, increased community connectivity.
Why do you do what you do?
Access to opportunities and guidance to best leverage those opportunities are critical to success at an individual, family and community level. I was gifted with people who provided access and guidance. It’s my turn to do the same. Together, with partners who share the same values, we’ll keep working to make our vision a reality: Neighborhood where individuals and families have everything they need to learn, live, work and play in a peaceful, connected, and thriving environment.
What are the three words you would use to describe your organization?
What do you wish other people knew about your organization?
Since the late 1930s, EMCC has always been involved in community services and well as community development. In the past, we focused our communication on our programs and human services, but we’ve also been instrumental in project development, placemaking and enterprise launches. We are now highlighting both areas— community services (people) and community development (place) by using a collaborative model with inclusive approaches to developing thriving communities.
More underappreciated communities are saying enough. We’ve communicated our thoughts to those who said they are here to help with no lasting results realized or results financially benefiting those with resources and not for the community. Locally, statewide, and cross the nation, more communities are committing action to getting things done on their own terms and using whatever available resources to do so. Quality of Life strategies flow through community supported projects with genuine wins for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Our agency, part of the Martindale-Brightwood Collective Impact team, is launching 7 significant community initiatives: Martindale-Brightwood Education Zone and Scholar Housing (Education options and Housing); Martindale-Brightwood Food Resource Network (Food access; Health); Community Voice News Network (communication and connectivity); 25th Street Corridor (new community development and evaluating existing community assets); the PACE Community Recovery Resource Center (mental health and safety); and the Community Solutions and Entrepreneurship Center (business ownership and increased community opportunities to solve social issues); and EMCC’s Leadership & Legacy Campus (education options, entrepreneurship programming; food access; senior services; and public recreation).
For People:
For Place:
All of the five values resonate with me personally and align with the mission and vision of the agency. Our core values are leadership, equity, inclusiveness, honor, accountability, and ethics and integrity in service. We carry those out through collaboration, connectivity, and pursuit of excellence.
Affordable housing
Micro-enterprise
Workforce development
Educational options
Re-entry supports
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m deaf, but my lack of hearing is actually a superpower- I’m learning to listen more.
Beach or mountains?
We are excited to announce that we are re-launching our Affinity Group online forums, but this time, we are connecting on Facebook! We have created Facebook groups EXCLUSIVELY for Prosperity Indiana members. These communities are meant to be places where members can share resources, ask questions, and connect with others in the field.
Interested in Management & Leadership, Affordable Housing, Individual Development Accounts, or Human Services? We have a group for that!
Groups are organized around different topics of relevance to our membership. Maybe you have expertise in a subject, or you just want to learn more - we encourage all levels of experience and knowledge to join. All you need is a willingness to learn and share!
Join a group (or multiple groups!) today and help us start the conversation!
Click here to view the full list of forums you can join!
And, if you haven’t already, make sure to like our page so you stay up-to-date on all of the latest news and events from Prosperity Indiana and the community economic development field!
Honored and excited, I drove to Mitchell, IN last month to deliver the John Niederman Rural Leadership Award to David Miller, CEO of Hoosier Uplands, a Community Action Agency, Area Agency on Aging, licensed Home Health Care and Hospice agency, and Community Housing Development Organization serving Crawford, Lawrence, Martin, Orange and Washington Counties. David was unable to attend our 2019 Summit where we officially recognized our annual awardees, so delivery of his award was a good excuse and opportunity to learn more about one of our members. New to Prosperity Indiana and the community development industry, I was about to meet the man that John Niederman himself described at the Awards Luncheon by saying “this award could just as easily be named the David Miller Award.”
Located in the heart of Mitchell, I met David at the Hoosier Uplands office. We drove to lunch and then stopped by the Mitchell Opera House, which Hoosier Uplands restored, and then visited Serenity Now, a mental health clinic that Hoosier Uplands operates in Bedford, Ind. I learned the history, saw patients in the waiting rooms, and met the staff. And I was moved. For three hours, David and I talked about community development, life, challenges, commitment, and action, and I left that day changed for the better.
It became clear to me that day that Hoosier Uplands leads the community with integrity, high expectations, and a call to action. Their mission statement reads in part “All endeavors are pursued with the client in mind, never forgetting the value of every human being or the importance of our responsibility to the public which we serve.” And it’s obvious they do just that.
I am incredibly proud to work for Prosperity Indiana and want to learn more. This year, I am visiting member organizations every month and highlighting my experiences in this newsletter. Please let me know if you are interested (rodonohue@prosperityindiana.org), and I’ll get it on the calendar! Rita O'DonohueRelationships Manager
P.S. John Niederman… you were right!
Over the past several months, federal agencies have been coordinating to prioritize their own financial and programmatic resources to communities with, and projects in Opportunity Zones. Through an Executive Order, the agencies have a mandate to explore all of the ways they can support the Opportunity Zones incentive, including
To advance the conversation and facilitate a greater understanding of how federal resources can be layered to support the Opportunity Zones incentive, the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is renewing its Federal Financing Webinar Series with a focus on Opportunity Zones. The CDFA Federal Financing Webinar Series: Opportunity Zones is an exclusive, four-part online offering that will convene finance experts, federal agencies, and local development finance practitioners to discuss the variety of ways federal grants, loans, guarantees and credit enhancements can leverage greater investment in Opportunity Zones. The webinar series will address issues related to the following areas:
CDFA encourages all stakeholders to participate in the webinars and bring project questions and ideas to our expert panelists. The four-part series will be offered throughout the year, and those interested in attending can register for each webinar individually or all at once as a package deal.
>>>Learn More About the Webinar Series
Prosperity Indiana has been thinking a lot about the Social Determinants of Health lately. Our entire 2018 Summit was dedicated to the intersection between Health and Community Development. We have partnered with the CareSource Foundation to bring funding to our members for innovations in the social determinants of health. It is even explicitly mentioned in our new identity statement.
Why are the social determinants of health (SDOH) important?
Medical care is estimated to account for only 10-20 percent of the modifiable (i.e., not genetic) contributors to health outcomes for a population. Another 30 percent can be attributed to health behaviors such as diet, exercise, and drug use. The remaining 50-60 percent is determined by the SDOH – the conditions of the physical and social environment. (Source)
But what exactly are the SDOH?
The SDOH are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks (Source). These conditions include both the physical attributes of a place, as well as the patterns of social engagement and sense of well-being of the people who live there.
Lists vary based on the source, but generally the SDOH fall under five key categories:
Do you have a project that addresses one of these areas? Click here to learn how you can apply for up to $50,000 through our Empower Indiana Grant Challenge, funded by the CareSource Foundation.
On January 30, Prosperity Indiana announced the winners of its annual leadership and program awards at its annual Summit. The Prosperity Indiana Summit was an occasion to celebrate the leaders and innovators in the community economic development field. The 2019 winners come from a pool of committed community leaders and innovative programs across Indiana. Winners are nominated by their peers and chosen by a judging committee based on criteria established for each award.
Prosperity Indiana Executive Director Jessica Love said, “We’re so proud of the work of all of our members, who are dedicated to strengthening our communities. That’s why we take an opportunity each year to recognize a few of the people and programs that stand out for their excellence. We are proud to honor such an amazing group this year. Congrats to the 2019 winners of the Prosperity Indiana awards.”
Award winners include: Indiana Supportive Housing Institute; George Okantey, Purdue Extension Community Development; David Miller, Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation; Tom Fodor, Morning Light Inc.
Key Award for Program of the Year - Sponsored by Merchants Bank of Indiana
Presented to Indiana Supportive Housing Institute
The Program of the Year Award honors excellence and innovation in a service-oriented community development initiative. This award recognizes a unique program model that leads in the area of service provision and/or volunteerism.
IHCDA and CSH’s Institute for Supportive Housing builds the capacity of supportive housing providers to develop and implement service plans that are based on national best practices and Supportive Housing Dimensions of Quality. The program is unique in that it requires participation from service providers, developers, advocates, and other local partners from the very early stages of project concept, creating cross-collaboration and building partnerships for long-term success.
Over the last nine years, 58 teams have completed the Institute, resulting in the creation of 44 developments containing 1,035 units of supportive housing with an additional 14 developments in the pipeline for funding.
Other Key Award nominees:
Photo by Al Bracken Photography. From Left to Right: Carol Gassen of Merchants Bank of Indiana, Jessica Love of Prosperity Indiana, Lori Phillips-Steele of CSH and Matt Rayburn and Jacob Sipe, both of IHCDA.
Robert O. Zdenek Staff Member of the Year Award - Sponsored by Brightpoint
Presented to George Okantey, Purdue Extension Community Development
The Staff Member of the Year Award honors an extraordinary individual who contributes to his or her organization and to the community economic development field as a whole. This person shows leadership, personal initiative and is a public servant.
George Okantey has been a Community Development Extension Educator for 20 years. He is passionate about convening diverse audiences across the state and increasing the capacity of local people, organizations and institutions to come together for the purpose of acting on current and future opportunities and challenges. Okantey is a coveted speaker, facilitator and trainer who makes an impact wherever he goes. In 2018 alone, he traveled widely across the state delivering more than 150 hours of instruction to nearly 550 adult learners.
Other Staff Member of the Year Award Nominees:
Photo by Al Bracken Photography. George Okantey of Purdue Extension
John Niederman Rural Development Leadership Award - Sponsored by First Financial Bank
Presented to David Miller, Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation
The Rural Development Leadership Award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in improving the quality of life, influencing policies, and fostering opportunities for growth and development for the betterment of rural Indiana.
David Miller is said to spend every day striving to drive the mission of Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation, and his commitment to innovation can be seen in the services, changes and overall impact that he and the organization continue to make every year. Under his leadership, Hoosier Uplands has been able to support other local organizations with mini grants to improve, create and sustain their services. They also assisted over 550 patients in their home health and hospice programs and over 1,400 in their Serenity Now clinic in Bedford. They continue to serve as an Area Agency on Aging, Community Action Agency, licensed Home Health Care, and a Community Housing Development Organization, as well as oversee Head Start programs.
Other Rural Development Leadership Award Nominees:
Photo by Al Bracken Photography. From Left to Right: Jessica Love of Prosperity Indiana, John Niederman of Pathfinder Services (accepting on behalf of David Miller of Hoosier Uplands), Angela Byer of First Financial Bank
Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award - Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank
Presented to Tom Fodor, Morning Light Inc.
This Leadership Award, jointly presented by Prosperity Indiana and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, honors an individual who has exhibited exceptional advocacy to further support the community economic development field.
Since his hire as Executive Director and CEO of Morning Light Inc. in 2012, Tom Fodor has focused his leadership on improving staff quality and retention, increasing hospice house occupancy, developing affordable housing programming and activities, and developing partnerships with other prominent programs in the community. Fodor continues to lead in the realm of health and housing, including national recognition and awards for health system innovation and policy. Morning Light has also led successful pilot projects to expand the field’s approach to addressing terminally ill homeless individuals.
In addition to national advocacy on behalf of affordable housing, Fodor served on the Indiana CHIP Continuum of Care Planning and Investment Committee for two years. He also served as an advocate for family shelters through his leadership of two programs at the American Red Cross Chapter in Dayton, OH.
Other Leadership Award nominees:
Photo by Al Bracken Photography. Tom Fodor of Morning Light Inc.
Prosperity Indiana is excited to announce the launch of the Empower Indiana Grant Challenge in partnership with the CareSource Foundation. This grant program is designed to fund innovative solutions to unique community challenges that involve the social determinants of health.
Along with nearly 200 dedicated members, Prosperity Indiana believes in a society where all persons are able to live and work in an environment that provides equitable access to economic and social opportunity. This exciting new program provides yet another opportunity to help inspire the Prosperity Indiana network to find new ways to strengthen Hoosier communities.
Prosperity Indiana Executive Director Jessica Love said, “The more we learn about the social determinants of health, the more we recognize innovative interventions and partnerships with the health community are absolutely essential to changing the quality of life for our low-income neighbors. We are absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to partner with CareSource to make positive change on health outcomes in member communities and are thankful for the Foundation’s leadership in this realm.”
CareSource was launched 30 years ago in Dayton, Ohio, as one of the only nonprofit health plans in the United States designed to address both health and life issues of low-income individuals and families. Since then, they have expanded into four other states (Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and West Virginia) providing Medicaid, Marketplace and Medicare Advantage services.
The CareSource Foundation has committed $100,000 to fund grants to nonprofit members of Prosperity Indiana in areas of greatest need, impact and innovation.
According to Cathy Ponitz, Vice President with CareSource, acknowledges great synergy between their organizations. “The CareSource Foundation is focused on working in parallel with our business mission by tackling critical health issues, strengthening the social safety net and developing relationships with great community partners. Prosperity Indiana and their exceptional member network are doing impressive work. We’re excited to launch the Empower Indiana strategy to continue moving forward with positive change for all Hoosiers.”
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a free informational webinar being held at 10 am February 28. Proposals are due April 4, 2019, and grant recipients will be announced in May. For more information about the grant program and to register for the webinar, visit www.ProsperityIndiana.org/EmpowerIN.
Looking for funds to do a community mural, support your town's concert series or kick start a downtown festival?
Then you need to check out Arts Project Support Grants from the Indiana Arts Commission - city, town and county governments are eligible and encouraged to apply!
Arts Project Support grants may be applied to any activities that support the arts including one-time events, single theatre productions, exhibitions, educational seminars, festivals, and more.
Last year we supported:
Interested in an Arts Project Support grant for your town? Here are some links to help you get started.
Have questions? Contact Paige Sharp (psharp@iac.in.gov) or your Regional Arts Partner representative.
Prosperity Indiana has lots of members-only resources that you can access simply by logging in on our website!
Go to ProsperityIndiana.org and click on Log in. Forgot your password? No problem! It’s easy to reset it!
Once you’ve arrived at the Member Portal, explore all of the benefits available to you! In the Resource Library you can access all kinds of resources around affordable housing, comprehensive community development, management and leadership and so much more! Search the Member Directory to connect with your peers in the Prosperity Indiana network. The Legislation Tracker gives you the latest updates on legislation related to your work. You can also get quick access to our webinar library and the most recent edition of our Piece of the PI newsletter!
If you have any questions about logging in to the Member Portal or any of your other Prosperity Indiana Member Benefits, contact our Relationships Manager, Rita O’Donohue, at rodonohue@prosperityindiana.org.
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