Piece of the PI: Newsletter

A monthly publication for the members of Prosperity Indiana

OCTOBER 2022

Executive Director's Letter

“PowerPoint parties” are all the
rage these days.

For those of you in my 40-um-something age range and above, I assume you’re likewise thinking “PowerPoint parties?” If so, the answer, my old friends, is yes.
Since early in the pandemic, people have been planning events where they hold their friends hostage for a series of 5-minute presentations about things of interest to them. I hadn’t heard of it. So, I asked a more youthful friend about it over coffee today. It was not news to her. She immediately related it to friends sharing a “starter pack” – another term I was not familiar with. I’ll let you google these things for yourself. But 1) I’m officially old. 2) Out of a need to connect in unfamiliar ways, people got creative. 3) What a concept!

Add my learning about these parties to the recently affirmed info (from my kid’s teacher) that my 7-year-old doesn’t always know how to easily add himself to an existing conversation (same, kid, same) to the fact that we had a candidate for one of our new positions lightly lob on the way out the door that they’re “really good at networking”, and it’s got me thinking …

Not about the actual mechanics of being good at networking. I assume we’ve probably all “researched” that at some point. Or maybe not? Maybe those who would label themselves as a good networker just have such a natural knack for it that looking into a how-to guide seems ridiculous. Or maybe their confidence is founded in studying the concept and landing well in their implementation? I admittedly haven’t asked that question. And being married to a “Woo” (for StrengthsFinder fans), it’s obvious that it’s very easy for some.

But what does it mean to “be good at” networking? And how “should” we be doing it? And is it an art or science, or both?

If you ask Mr. Google for his insights into the practice, you’ll find LOTS of different advice on the matter. And I think there’s value in finding “what works” for you.

As a self-proclaimed “shy extrovert” with a similarly boisterous dad who was a successful salesman for 20-something years as well as a pastor for 30-something (i.e., someone you would assume isn’t shy), who is likewise a “shy extrovert”, and a mother who is an “outgoing introvert” who can talk to any stranger on the planet but really likes her down time, I know it’s not as simple as assuming someone is an extrovert or introvert.

For me personally, I tend to lean toward asking questions vs. elevator pitching myself. But I appreciate either route, honestly – as long as people talk, lol.

But regardless of your “angle” for knowing and becoming known by others, I think the sheer volume of tips and tricks on this subject all underscore an important theme: Connection is important.

So, whether networking comes easily to you, or it takes a little more intentionality to make it happen, we consider it our job to create opportunities for you to connect. We’ll have advocacy-focused gatherings later this year. But right now, we’re very focused on two things: 1) Membership renewal for 2023 will launch next week – make sure you renew to stay connected in the coming year and 2) Our biggest annual event – our summit – will be held in-person on Feb 1-2. And we think it’s so important to have our members in attendance that every member receives one free ticket to the summit with their membership. But if you plan on sending more than one person, be sure to secure an early bird ticket by Halloween!!! No tricks, just a treat!

Can’t wait to see you there! We’re definitely PAST DUE on being in-person for the summit again! So, make sure your membership … isn’t!!

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

Jessica Love

Executive Director

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

Health is Wealth: ACEs

Join us November 14^th to learn more about how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), or potentially traumatic events in a child’s life, can have lasting effect on an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health. You will walk away from this program with ideas on how community-based organizations can assist in implementing trauma-informed interventions, local policy improvements, and paradigm shifts to help individuals and families heal from the negative impact of ACEs.

Real Estate Development 201

PI’s Real Estate 201 Workshop is November 8-10! There are only a few slots left so move quickly to reserve your spot!

Tools You Can Use

Are you confused by the myriad acronyms of the homeless service provider system? Never fear – our friends at the Corporation for Supportive Housing have a handy guide to help. Check it out and share with your boards to help them understand the language of the system.

A Fun Fact

Grounding Values was launched by the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations in partnership with the Urban Institute in 2021 to study the financial health, production, programs, and services of community-based development organizations (CBDOs) throughout the United States. A recent fact sheet produced gives a great overview of the 5,720 CBDOs found across the United States. PI members continue to be an integral part of the CBDO network.

Renew Membership and Get a Free Summit Ticket!

Look for an email to renew your membership on November 1, 2022. The code to redeem your FREE summit ticket will be forwarded automatically when renewal funds are received.

All Things Summit!

Our annual 2023 Prosperity Indiana Summit is February 1-2, 2023 at the Marriott Downtown Indianapolis. The theme is Resilient Communities: Centering Quality of Life, Place, and Opportunity, and tracks are centered on how housing, financial empowerment, and health support resilient communities.

Submit a Session Request for Proposal - Share your expertise with 200-300 community leaders across the state. Go to 2023 Sessions. Deadline is October 31, 2022.
Early Bird Tickets - Save $75 on purchased tickets. Deadline is October 31, 2022.
Award Nominations - Honor a colleague or a program with a prestigious statewide award! Winners are announced during the Awards Luncheon at Summit on February 1, 2023. All candidates receive a free ticket to the awards luncheon. Go to 2023 Awards. Deadline to nominate is November 30, 2022.

Vote for Board - Slate Coming Soon

If you are a nonprofit, please check your email inbox for the 2023 Board Slate coming your way after the November Board Meeting on November 18, 2022.

Promote YOUR Events & Highlights

Please send Rita O'Donohue your upcoming events and highlights by the 15th of each month, and we will include them in this newsletter (A link describing the event or highlight is required). This newsletter is received by over 1000 individuals across the state.

What do YOU need?

Tell us what you need by the 15th of each month, and we will put in this newsletter. Examples: funding, volunteers, services, etc. Send to Rita O'Donohue.

Emergency Rental Assistance

In mid-October, PI’s Erica Boswell and Andrew Bradley attended the national convening ‘Emergency Rental Assistance: A Path to a Permanent Program’ hosted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition , which was also attended by federal, state, and local policymakers, tenant representatives, and advocacy groups. PI presented at the convening on our successful advocacy to pass HEA 1214, which for the first time allows eviction filing sealing and expungement in Indiana. The convening also served as the kickoff for a new national initiative to stand up permanent ERA programs and services, and to strengthen tenant protection policies. If you are interested in being part of the Indiana ERASE Team conversations, please reach out to Erica Boswell.

Current National Action Alerts:

It's Time to Talk About Financial Trauma

Financial health, financial stress, and economic trauma are essential concepts to understand if we want to provide meaningful services to people in economic need without causing them more trauma. This interactive webinar brought to you by the Financial Health Institute will bring awareness of the dynamic effects of economic trauma and abuse, and it will provide you with suggestions for how you and your organization can take steps to become more trauma-informed in order to help families stabilize and thrive. Registration is open now.

This Just In: Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition 2023 Policy Priorities

The Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition has officially released of their policy priorities for 2023 and is calling on Indiana’s policymakers to make a coordinated effort to combat the state’s increasing housing affordability and stability crisis with policies that strengthen habitability standards and protections for safe and stable housing for all; increase the supply of affordable housing for Hoosier communities who most need it; and ensure existing housing is more affordable and accessible for all Hoosiers. The Coalition’s recommendations include calls for allowing tenants facing serious health and safety issues to be able to put rent into escrow until problems are addressed; converting Indiana’s renter deduction into a refundable tax credit that reflects cost increases; and creating an Indiana Commission on Housing & Homelessness to pilot a permanent emergency rental assistance program and address long-term solutions for the state.

Bipartisan momentum throughout the state, including from the Indiana General Assembly's Housing Task Force, presents a unique opportunity for policymakers at the state, federal, and local levels to begin making a permanent improvement in Indiana’s housing outcomes. But to make a lasting impact, Indiana must target solutions to the Hoosiers and communities most in need, and to incorporate their input in plans for increased housing supply and strengthened standards. Register for the upcoming Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition meeting to learn more.

Recap: Prosperity Now Summit 2022

Prosperity Indiana’s Coalition Coordinator Hale Crumley recently attended the Prosperity Now 2022 Summit, “Marching on: Reimagining Economic Justice for All” (an organization of no official relation to Prosperity Indiana) in Atlanta, Georgia September 19-21. Prosperity Indiana is an official Prosperity Now Community Champion representing the state of Indiana.

This year’s summit included a strong focus on the importance of data, equitable outcomes, narratives and lived experience, and looking forward. There were a number of informative sessions on baby bonds and child savings accounts, community partnerships, innovations in lending and debt management, systems change, and BIPOC entrepreneurship. There were also a number of exciting mainstage speakers, including but not limited to Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul, Professor Darrick Hamilton, Professor Ibram X Kendi, and Professor Manuel Pastor.

Check out all of the pages linked here, and consider attending the Prosperity Now 2024 Summit. Interested in learning more? Reach out to Hale Crumley!

Interested in Court Watching?

To bring additional light to Indiana’s ongoing eviction crisis, the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition released the Court Watcher’s Toolkit: Evictions in Indiana, a toolkit that enables anyone, including faith groups, community associations, and concerned individuals to become court watchers and see the evictions crisis for themselves. This simple, 5-page toolkit does not require a background in law to use and can be applied to any small claims court in the state. Want to learn more about how you can get involved? Reach out to experienced court watchers & PI members Carolyn Kingen and Dick Dalton.

The toolkit is available on HousingforHoosiers.org, the online home of the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition, and is also designed for home printing. Information and stories collected while court watching can be shared on the site and will help the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition raise awareness about the eviction crisis and advocate for strengthened tenant rights and sustained resources for rental assistance and eviction diversion programs.

Sponsor

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

PI Job Openings

Administrative Assistant

Learning & Development Manager

Communications & Fundraising Coordinator

PI Events

November 8-9, 2022, Real Estate Development 201

November 9, 2022, It's Time to Talk About Financial Trauma

November 14, 2022, Health is Wealth: The Impact of ACEs

November 22, 2022, Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition: General Body Meeting

February 1-2, 2023, Prosperity Indiana Summit and Statehouse Day

Member Requests

Transition Resources Corporation Needs Meeting Space

With an office in Greensburg, TRC is finding it difficult to connect with clients in the greater Indianapolis area. They are looking for a space to meet in Marion county 1-2 times a week. Please contact Sara Arnold, Housing Program Coordinator, Transition Resources.

Use What You've Got Ministry Needs Investors

Cecelia Whitfield, founder and executive director of Use What You've Got Ministry, is seeking investors. A new PI member since August 2022, Cecelia is excited to connect with other PI members. This ministry is located at 3529 Boulevard Place in Indianapolis, and it works in collaboration with Keeping Families Connected, Inc. Cecilia is an Offender Workforce Development Specialist and a Social Action Coordinator (UMW, Central District). Please contact her by email or at 317-728-2518.

INRC Seeking Central IN Partners

INRC is seeking neighborhoods to submit videos for Neighbor Power Indy 2023. The theme is Neighborhoods in Action: The Power of Community. Learn More

Member Events

PI In the News

Getting stuck with payday loans

The Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition wants legislators to tackle the affordable housing shortage

Advocates working to address affordable housing issues across Indianapolis

Housing advocacy groups lay out 2023 legislative priorities

Some tenants of troubled Irvington apartment complex get relief

Indiana housing advocates eye permanent federal rental assistance to help with ongoing housing crisis

State task force seeks balance, “do no harm” in boosting affordable housing supply

Indiana housing task force begins meeting to address critical shortages

What’s next for IndyRent as federal funding fades away?

In Case You
Missed It

Pros and Cons of New Community Reinvestment Act Rules

New requirements proposed for the Community Reinvestment Act will be discussed by federal banking policymakers. Click here for more.

Inflation Reduction Act

Recently signed into law, the Inflation Reduction Act will allow owners of HUD-assisted multifamily properties to preserve tens of thousands of affordable rental homes by making them more efficient, healthier, and resilient. To learn more please read the entire press release.

HUD $15 Million Funding to Help Older Americans Age in Place

HUD is making available $15 million to help older Americans age in place through home modifications. HUD’s Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP) will assist experienced nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and public housing authorities in programs that make safety and home modifications and renovations to meet low-income elderly homeowner needs.

Read HUD’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Apply through Grants.gov.

Industry Jobs

Business Development Manager

Director of Client Services

IARCA Institute Program Manager

Tools & Resources

Funding Available for Local Bridge Projects

INDOT is issuing a Notice of Funding Availability on January 2, 2023, for local bridge preventative maintenance type projects. or a Local Public Agency (LPA) to apply for preventative maintenance activities, the LPA must have an INDOT-approved Asset Management Plan.

The Indiana Design Manuel Chapter 412 lists the treatments that are acceptable.

Submit no later than December 16, 2022.

Cinnaire Launches Jumpstart
Martindale Brightwood

Cinnaire and Martindale Brightwood have joined forces to launch an Indiana based Jumpstart Program that builds on Cinnaire's commitment to expand access to economic opportunity and empower community members as to revitalize neighborhoods.

Learn More

MDwise & Cityblock Health Partnering with Community Organizations to Support Hoosiers

A new partnership between MDwise and Cityblock Health will provide medical care, behavioral health, and social services to individuals with complex needs from historically underserved and marginalized communities. This addresses social determinants of health needs to improve outcomes and quality of life.

If they haven't already, Cityblock will be reaching out to you soon to learn more on how you can become a participating partner in this collaborative.

Celebrate the CED Grant Program

Join federal officials and community developers from around the country on November 29 from 11:30 - 6:00 pm (Eastern) in Washington DC for a celebration of the Community Economic Development (CED) program.

The celebration will include a luncheon, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and a reception to honor champions of the program. Registration is complimentary. Watch for an agenda announcement with the registration link.

Deadline Extended for National Survey of CED Developers

Prosperity Indiana is a proud partner in a national study of community-based development organizations – the Grounding Values Study. Results will provide high-quality data to increase support for your work. All respondents will be entered into a random drawing – and 100 of them will win a $100 Visa gift card.

If you are a nonprofit CED and haven't already completed, please do so by November 4, 2022.. Use THIS LINK and include your EIN Number.

Indiana Consortium Conference November 1-4, 2022

The City of South Bend and the Indiana Consortium of State and Local Human Rights Agencies will hold its 47th Annual Training Conference on November 1-4 at the Century Center. The theme of the 2022 conference is “Understanding and Addressing Human Rights and Civil Unrest.”
Register Here
Learn More

American Lung Association Endorses Smoke-Free Housing Indiana Guide
The American Lung Association of Indiana is partnering with Smoke-Free Housing Indiana to educate and protect all Hoosier health. This guide offers free information on apartment policy and much more.

Twin Air Shopping Plaza RFI Opportunity

The City of Indianapolis released a real estate RFI for the redevelopment of the Twin Air shopping plaza and former drive-in movie site on the near southeast side. Responses are due Nov. 11, 2023. Click here to download more details.

Funding Available for Local Rural Projects

The Indiana Department of Transportation will begin accepting applications for rural federal aid projects with construction beginning in fiscal year 2028 at 8:00 AM EST on November 1, 2022. The call for projects will close at 5:00 PM EST on December 2, 2022

Applications will only be accepted through the INDOT Technical Applications Pathway (ITAP) Local Call Application (LCA) from certified Local Public Agency (LPA) Employees in Responsible Charge (ERC). Learn More

Community Development Block Grant Deadlines

Full applications for Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs' Community Development Block Grants are due December 22, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The following programs are currently accepting applications:

Public Facilities Program (including historic preservation)
Blight Clearance Program
Stormwater Improvements
Wastewater/Drinking Water

Submit application HERE.

CCMG Call for 2023 Projects

The 2023-1 CCMG Call for Projects will began at 8:00 am Eastern Time, Monday, January 3, 2023, and will close at 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Friday, January 27, 2023. Visit this website.

Dubois County and IU Launch Partnership

The Center for IU Rural Engagement and Dubois County residents started 11 new projects that unite IU faculty and students with local organizations to address community goals. Learn More

COVID-19 & How to Stay Healthy

Prosperity Indiana's Response

Prosperity Indiana team members are operating in a hybrid work arrangement. We are hosting in-person meetings and events and traveling to member sites for in-person gatherings. Watch for more upcoming events here. We will continue to:

Provide adequate PPE for staff and visitors, along with extra hand sanitizing supplies, tissues, and wipes for high touch surfaces.

Adapt our return-to-work plan as needed to comply with the Back on Track Roadmap, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana Department of Health, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.

COVID-19 Housing Resources

For a complete list of the state's various emergency rental assistance programs, visit the Housing4Hoosiers COVID-19 Assistance & Resources page.
The Indy Affordable Modification Program (IndyAMP) allows Marion County homeowners negatively affected by COVID-19 to refinance mortgage debt at a below-market interest rate for up to 30 years. IndyAMP allows owners to remain in their homes, become current with their mortgages, and lower their monthly payments.
COVID-19 Resources for Homeowners provides information for FHA-insured mortgages on the foreclosure moratorium and how to apply for mortgage forbearance.

Contact Us

Prosperity Indiana is here to support you. The best way to reach us is always via email. Here is a link to contact information for full-time staff.

If you have specific suggestions for webinars, FB live chats, or other resources for us to share related to COVID-19 or other topics, please reach out to our team.

Questions about your membership can be directed to Rita O'Donohue.

Visit our blog for more of the latest community economic development news in Indiana.

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!