Executive Director's Letter

My parents and my sisters’ families alternate their Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations around when the Indiana contingent (i.e., my crew) is coming to town.

It’s an every-other-year pattern. We don’t break it. (In non-2020 years, that is.) If we’re in Alabama for Thanksgiving, we’re with Indiana relatives on Christmas Day and return to Alabama “for Christmas” after we briefly touch base at home to unpack/repack for a few more days away and vice versa.

This year, my father-in-law casually mentioned switching things up this year, like it was no big deal. On the Alabama family side of things, however, it was like a grenade went off.

We weren’t just messing with our Christmas, we were messing with three to five (maybe more) other Christmases as well. Ultimately, it was a non-starter, and all is back on course, from the Alabama contingent’s perspective at least.

Everyone will be able to see all their people, and that’s what’s important. Not the date that we gather specifically, but that we can prioritize seeing all of our people in one fell swoop. Now that we’ve saved the date, we’re making the needed arrangements to be with the people we care about.

On a professional level, it’s time to be doing the same to attend the 2023 Prosperity Indiana Summit. Because it’s critical that we all gather to make the most of the opportunity, we need these dates on everybody’s calendar now. That means you. You’re an essential part of the network.

Next, we need you to make any necessary travel plans, book your hotel and register for the big day.

And actually, in 2023, it’s a two-day gathering. Day 1 will be chock full of sessions that will help inform the way you think about and do your work. Day 2, we’ll descend upon the statehouse and make much of our network’s policy priorities around affordable housing, consumer protections, and community development resources to do the work. (And we’re hosting Advocacy 102 and 103 trainings in January to prep you for Day 2 activities.)

Both days are so critically important that our guest of honor, Diane Yentel , President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, will actually be here for both our content-heavy and advocacy-heavy days. She’s looking to both inspire and be energized by your passion for the work and efforts to move the needle for the people and places you serve.

So, if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll reserve your place at the table ASAP.

Once your membership is renewed, your bundle admin will receive a code for one free ticket to the event. Beyond that ticket, if you sponsor the summit, you can receive additional tickets. Or, you can take advantage of our member rate to bring other members of your team along for the big event.

This year, we’ve had in-person Regional Meetings over the summer plus in-person Policy & Pizza this fall – 10 events held around the state. It’s been so nice to see our members in this way this year.

But the gang hasn’t all been there.

And nothing – nothing – compares to getting the whole family together, in one place, to celebrate, catch-up, and grow stronger together.

Since this will be our first in-person summit since February 2020 (2020!!), the momentum of this gathering is basically three years in the making! So, rearrange your schedule to be there, if that’s what it takes to attend. The things we’ll learn, the progress we’ll achieve, and the memories we’ll make together will ensure blocking this time now will pay off in the end.

Plus, we’ll undoubtedly all be more resilient – and able to bring the same for our communities and clients – as a result, thanks to PI’s event focusing on how health, housing and economic opportunity all contribute to more resilient individuals, organizations, and communities statewide.

Can’t wait to see you on Feb 1 and 2!

We’ll provide the food. Just bring yourself … oh, and a friend or colleague or two. We’ll make room at the table!

Thanks, as always, for being a Piece of the PI Network! And happy holidays!!

Jessica Love

Executive Director

We REAP prosperity by providing Resources, Engagement, Advocacy, and Programs that support our members' work!

Just for Developers

PI is collaborating with JumpStart Martindale Brightwood on four “Jumpinars” to increase the skills of all Indiana affordable housing developers. Please mark your calendar for the following virtual events:

• Property Asset Management- January 18, 2023, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

• Housing Market Analysis- February 15, 2023, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

• LIHTC Funding- March 17, 2023, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
• Site Control & Purchase Agreements- April 13 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Do You Need a Housing Strategy Plan?

Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. (NNN) recently engaged PI to develop a Housing Strategy Plan to preserve and revitalize its South Bend neighborhood. PI is excited to begin this project in 2023 and, as a go-to resource for both affordable housing and community engagement projects, we are excited to help YOU build a housing strategy to meet your community’s needs.

Please contact Marie Beason to determine how PI can assist you and your organization in developing a housing strategy plan customized to your community.

A Tool You Can Use

Do you ever wonder if your program still meets your mission? Are you wondering if you should begin a new project? PI would like to share with you its Project Strategy Screen to help you evaluate your program or determine if you should begin a new program. We hope you find this tool as useful as we do in making critical decisions for your organization.

Announcing Award Nominees!

Congratulations to the following individuals and programs nominated for our prestigious statewide awards. Winners will be announced during the annual luncheon at Summit. Support your candidate with a company table this year! It is $500 and comes with recognition and 8 luncheon tickets. Contact Rita ASAP! 

Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award

• Angela Graf, Hope Southern Indiana

• Carma Parish, North Park Community Credit Union

• Carolyn Kingen, UMC Housing Justice Task Force

• DeAndre Wilson, Impact Evansville, Bedford Collab

• George Guy, Ft Wayne Housing Authority

• Jim Musial, Concerned for the Homeless

• Leon Gordon, Bloomington Housing Authority

• Key Award for Program of the Year

• Garvin Lofts, ECHO Housing Corporation

• HomePower, Intend Indiana

• Triumph Senior Care

• Special Olympics, Hamilton County

• Brown Faces Green Spaces, Gary Community Partnership Corporation

• Level Up Program, United Way

• Master It Series, Lacasa, Inc

• Housing Hub Initiative, Horizon House

Robert O. Zdenek Staff Member of the Year Award

• Adam Johnson, Elevate Indianapolis
• Andrea Davis, HAND
• Anthony Bridgeman, PNC Bank
• Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, CHIP Coalition for Homelessness Invention and Prevention
• Jamie Sheth, JD Sheth Foundation
• John West, Ball State University
• Kelly Lundberg, Housing and Neighborhood Services
• Robert "Pablo" Malavenda, Lafayette Urban Ministry
  
  

John Niederman Rural Development Leadership Award

• Bo Beaulieu, Purdue University
• Michael Pavey, City of Rushville
• Randall Danielson, The REES Theatre, Inc

Support Your Candidate at Awards Luncheon

Cheer on your candidate during the Awards Luncheon at Summit with a sponsored table. The cost is $500, and it seats 8 individuals. Contact Rita O'Donohue ASAP!

Special Thanks to the Award Nomination Committee

We had a record number of candidates this year thanks to great efforts by Keith Broadnax, Cinnaire; MaryBeth Wott, FHLB; Sherry Peak Davis, Anderson Impact; Brian Carman, Indiana Bond Bank; and Adrian Brooks, Memorial CDC.

Summit Sponsor Ads Due

If you haven't already, please forward your sponsorship ad to Rita O'Donohue by December 31, 2022! 

Register Free Summit Tickets

Your 2023 membership comes with one free ticket to our annual statewide Summit on February 1, 2023. It is taking place at the Marriott Downtown Indianapolis, and catering needs a count by mid January! Please REGISTER before December 31, 2022 or let Rita know you are donating the ticket.

Hotel Room for Summit

Attend Summit AND Statehouse Day! PI has secured a special rate of $189 at the Marriott Downtown Indianapolis (across the street from the Statehouse). RESERVE HERE before January 13, 2023!

Memberships Expire on December 31, 2022

Memberships expire on December 31, 2022. Please RENEW before December 31, 2022, or let Rita know you need to pay from your 2023 budget. (She will get you registered for Summit with free ticket.)

Prosperity Indiana Board Election Results

Prosperity Indiana voting members overwhelmingly affirmed the new and returning board member candidates. Angela Byers (First Financial Bank); Marie Morse (HomesteadCS); and DeAndre Wilson (Impact Evansville) will join the board in January. Steven Meyer and Amy Nelson have each been elected to their third term. THANK YOU to all our voting members for your participation in this important process!

Notice of Annual Member Meeting

The annual meeting of Prosperity Indiana membership will take place virtually via Zoom on January 20, 2023 10:30 a.m.

The returning and newly elected board members will be introduced followed by regular business of the board. To receive a link to attend the meeting, RSVP here!

Send Us Your Newsletter

Please add membership@prosperityindiana.org to your newsletter mailing list, and we will add your events, news, job opportunities, and needs to this newsletter. Please note an online link is required. 

Prosperity Indiana State House Day

Join us for Day 2 of the Summit on February 2 for Prosperity Indiana’s in-person Statehouse Day in Indianapolis. We'll meet at the Marriott Downtown Indianapolis for an early rally and light breakfast, and then walk across the street to the statehouse together. After that, we'll gather in the North Atrium for networking and special remarks, and spend the rest of the morning in legislator meetings, insider walking tours, taking action through letter writing, and attending live legislative committee meetings. Register at no cost today!

Prosperity Indiana Advocacy Academy Series

In preparation of Statehouse Day, we strongly encourage PI members and partners to attend Prosperity Indiana's upcoming two sessions of our  Advocacy Academy: Advocacy 102: The Strategies and Advocacy 103: The Plan. 

Announcing 2023 Prosperity Indiana Policy Agenda

Debuted during the Policy and Pizza series, CLICK HERE to read all policy priority details.

Pizza & Policy Series Recap

In November and December, Prosperity Indiana traveled to northern, central, and southern Indiana to meet with PI members, advocacy partners, and regional policymakers. Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition (HHNC) Steering Committee members AARP and The Ross Foundation joined us on our travels, and PI members Lacasa (Elkhart) and Memorial Community Development Corporation (Evansville) generously acted as local hosts. 

We exceeded attendance expectations at every meeting and had lively, engaging conversations about local issues and what we want to see in the 2023 legislative session.

We were also fortunate to have the following state representatives in attendance:

• Central Indiana (Indianapolis) - Indiana General Assembly Housing Task Force member, Sen. Fady Qaddoura (District 30).

• Southern Indiana (Evansville) - Indiana General Assembly member, Sen. Vaneta Becker (District 50).

• Northern Indiana - Co-Chairs of the Indiana General Assembly Housing Task Force, Rep. Doug Miller (District 48) and Sen. Linda Rogers (District 11), 

New Coalition Members

Prosperity Indiana is pleased to announce that two of the coalitions it convenes, the Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network and the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition, have new members joining their leadership. The Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network will have four additional Steering Committee members for 2023. The Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition will have six additional Steering Committee members, as well as a team of six multi-sector partners to lead the Opportunity Starts At Home campaign.

Meet the new A&O Network Steering Committee members

Meet the new HHNC Steering Committee members

Meet the new OSAH Engagement Team

Sponsor

Piece of the PI is sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI).

PI Holiday Hours

Prosperity Indiana will be closed December 23-27, 2022 and January 2, 2023 for the holidays.

PI Events

January 6, 2023 Advocacy 102: The Strategies

January 18, 2023 Financial Resources Roundtable with the CFPB

January 20, 2023 Annual Member Meeting

January 27, 2023 Advocacy 103: The Plan

February 1, 2023 A&O Breakfast

February 1, 2023 PI Summit

February 2, 2023 PI Statehouse Day

PI In the News

Long Covid About More Than Health Impacts, Indiana, Capital Chronicle

Making Housing Affordable, IBJ

Housing Advocates Present Policy Goals, Elkhart Truth

Member Needs

Catholic Charities, Terre Haute

Ball State University, Muncie

United Way, Northwest Indiana

Member Events

January 11, 2023 Bridges of Alliance Poverty Simulation

January 19, 2023 IPHA Policy & Forum

Member News

Holiday Message from BSU President

Pathfinder Kids Kampus Receives Mad Ants Donation that SAVES Christmas

Intend Indiana Newsletter