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First organized in July 2001 by a collaboration of Chicago-area organizations and directed by the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, Money Smart Week has grown and become an annual public awareness campaign promoting personal financial literacy across the nation. During the six days of Money Smart Week, participating organizations from community groups, financial institutions, and government agencies will host events to educate the general public on smart money practices. This year, Money Smart Week will be from Monday, April 24th to Saturday, April 29th.There are several opportunities to attend events in Indiana with hosts including the Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, AARP Indiana, The Social Security Administration, The Indy Star, Indiana Legal Services, and more. Below are some events that will be held throughout the state, but please use the Official Money Smart Week Event Page to find an event near you.
Tippecanoe County: Events will be held on Purdue University’s campus beginning on Monday, April 24th.The Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network joined HomesteadCS and Purdue Federal Credit Union to present to Purdue University staff members, students, and interested community members about the predatory nature of Payday lending. The presentation took place at Purdue University’s Horticulture Building room 117 at 12pm and at 5pm. A recording of the presentation will be made available to the public. On April 28th, a seminar on Homebuyer Education will be held in the Horticulture Building room 117 at Purdue University from 12pm-1pm. This event is open for students, faculty, and staff.
Marion County: Events will be held throughout Indianapolis including an Indy Star Call for Action event on Tuesday, April 25th from 4:30pm-8pm. The event will take place at the John Boner Community Center at 2236 E. 10th St. and will provide consumer advice through free attorney consultations available in both Spanish and English.
On Wednesday, April 26th from 9:30am-12pm there will be a viewing of $CAMMED: Investment Fraud Revealed—a thirty-minute documentary about investor fraud in Indiana. Afterwards, investigative reporter for RTV6 Rafael Sanchez will M.C. the event with a panel of experts including Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Deputy Attorney General Steve Frank, Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Cindy Oetjen, and Dr. Mary Guerriero Austrom from the Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Center, among others. The event will be held at North United Methodist Church on 3808 N. Meridian St.
On Saturday, April 29th the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Indianapolis Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will present Women Building Our Financial Legacy: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Social Security & Investments. The event will begin at 8:30am at the New Direction Church located on 5330 E. 38th St. Breakfast will be provided, but please RSVP by Thursday, April 27th through the eventbrite page or 317-748-3195.
Johnson County: Kelly Griese, an Investor Education Coordinator from the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office will provide a free fraud prevention presentation on Tuesday, April 25th, from 6:30-8:00pm. The presentation will be held at Prince of Peace United Church of Christ on 3050 West Smokey Row Road, Bargersville and will cover the latest scams and techniques used by fraudsters, how to request and review your credit report, how to freeze your credit, and how to report fraud. Seating is limited so please register online at center.com/register or by calling Pastor Joan Dell at 317-535-7712.
Webinar: On Tuesday, April 25th from 11am-12pm, the Social Security Administration will host a Social Security Retirement Planning webinar. Register to attend the webinar at attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6272735108852379650 in order to learn more about the many factors to consider when deciding when to start receiving your Social Security benefits.
Through the joint efforts of dedicated individuals, agencies, community organizations, and financial institutions, Money Smart Week will empower Americans in all fifty states with the knowledge and tools to become financially stable. Please join us by finding an event near you through the Official Money Smart Week Event Page.
The time is fast approaching when Prosperity Indiana staff members hit the road for regional meetings. We will travel across our state for a series of meetings with community development professionals, advocates, neighbors, elected officials, and other stakeholders that are focused on building resilient families and vital communities.
Join us at five locations this summer to engage on issues currently facing your organization and community, the work Prosperity Indiana is doing on your behalf and how Prosperity Indiana can help you build on your organization’s and community’s strengths.
These meetings will allow you to:
Please mark your calendars for this opportunity and register today! Up to five staff at member organizations can attend for free, if the Executive Director is among the attendees. Lunch will be provided.
June 19: Northeast Regional Member Meeting Fort Wayne, Hosted by Prosperity Indiana member Brightpoint 12-2 pm EST
Come learn about the Community Loan Center program and hear from Brightpoint staff about their experiences and impact through this employee lending innovation aimed at reducing reliance on payday lending. Community Loan Centers allow local employers to offer employees small dollar loans at 18% interest rate on a 12-month term. Participating employees can build their credit and take advantage of financial education classes.
June 27: Southeast Regional Member Meeting Jeffersonville, Hosted by Prosperity Indiana member New Hope Services 12-2 pm EST
Thinking about going solar? Come hear Allyson Mitchell, Prosperity Indiana's Director of Sustainability, discuss the Solar Uniting Neighbors (SUN) For All program and learn how you and your organization can participate. The group-purchase solar discount program aims to help community organizations and residents purchase and install solar panels at a reduced rate to lower their organizational and household operating costs and pass those benefits on to low- moderate-income (LMI) individuals. Direct funding opportunities are available to Prosperity Indiana members.
July 20: South Central Regional Member Meeting Bloomington, Hosted by Prosperity Indiana member City of Bloomington 12-2 pm EST
Incorporating asset-building strategies into existing programs can enable and support individuals and families at all income levels. Discuss with Kelsey Clayton, Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network Manager, the economic barriers families face. Also learn about the Learning Cluster, a current initiative assisting organizations in integrating financial capability services, which help Hoosiers achieve financial stability and provide access to tools that help organizations think through this innovation.
August 10: Northwest Regional Member Meeting Hammond, Hosted by the Continuum of Care Network of Northwest Indiana 10 am -12 pm CST
Hear Director of Capacity Building Rose Scovel share about how you can utilize the staff expertise at Prosperity Indiana to assist you with consolidated planning, housing needs assessments, housing studies, assessments of fair housing, HUD compliance, and other plans and processes that might be required for your organization.
September 27: Southwest Regional Member Meeting Evansville, Hosted by Prosperity Indiana member Old National Bank 12-2 pm CST
Come hear about the Outcomes Platform: a new data collection, tracking and outcomes reporting solution. Learn how you can use this comprehensive and interactive data tracking tool to visualize the impact that your organization has on your community and the results of your collective efforts with local partners.
Every day, I get to work with the brightest people and impactful organizations across Indiana. These organizations and their staff are Prosperity Indiana member organizations - local nonprofits, private businesses, and government - each with a mission and drive to serve and build communities. From amongst these member organizations, the board of directors receives and solicits nominations to help lead our organization.
Know someone who fits this description, apply to join the Prosperity Indiana board of directors here.
At the March 17 meeting, the board of directors approved a slate for election to renew and supplement the board leadership.
The slate for renewing members of the board includes:
The slate for new board members includes:
If you are the membership (bundle) administrator of a 2017 voting member organization, please log into the member portal and cast your ballot for the board of directors election.
Are you looking to make positive difference in people's lives?
Carey Services is seeking applicants to serve adults with development disabilities as:
EOE
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is seeking candidates for multiple positions. OCRA works with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping and achieving their vision for economic development.
There are two openings for Program Managers - Grant Services. They assist the Business Office of the Lieutenant Governor in the operation and administration of grant programs administered by the agencies that are under the purview of the Lieutenant Governor. The agencies for which Grant Services provides assistance include the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and the Office of Defense Development.
Responsibilities include review of grant applications for compliance with federal, state and departmental regulations to determine eligibility for funding; providing technical assistance regarding the requirements for environmental review, civil rights, land acquisition/relocation, procurement of goods and services, prevailing wage payment, minority and women owned business enterprise requirements and/or other related statutes; on-site field-monitoring activities of federal and state grants and work with grantee to resolve findings and bring project to closed status. Complete written monitoring reports, applicable worksheets and Federal reporting.
The CDBG Project Manager (PM) reports to the CDBG Program Manager and helps manage Indiana’s CDBG Program. This includes the State and Small Cities CDBG Programs, CDBG Disaster Recovery Supplemental Appropriation Two (IKE) and all other programs utilizing CDBG funds. The PM will also be responsible for coordination with the Grants Management Team for compliance monitoring and all other aspects of Grants Management. The PM will perform grants management and compliance on other OCRA funded programs as assigned.
For the full job descriptions and to apply, visit http://www.in.gov/spd/careers/ and search for “rural” or “Lieutenant Governor's Office.”
Community-based organizations from every corner of the country will convene near Washington, DC on May 31-June 2 for People & Places 2017. (Scholarships for registration to the event have all been awarded -- thanks to all who responded.) Click here to attend this event alongside your Hoosier peers and others from around the nation.
Here are four reasons you don't want to miss this dynamic peer-learning event:
See what's working to strengthen places and improve lives. The agenda features 35 sessions with more than 100 presenters. Learn about their successful strategies to remediate blight, promote equitable development, bolster small businesses, encourage asset growth, make places healthier, and so much more. Get inspired by local solutions that you can adapt and transform back home.
Learn effective political organizing tactics. There were some big wins in the November elections at the state and local levels. Ballot initiatives and organizing campaigns across the country resulted in significant new funding for housing and community development. Learn from advocates how they achieved victory and – in some cases – learned from defeat.
Connect to diverse community development networks. Engage with peers from five national networks. You'll develop your own network of placemakers who are just a phone call, text or email away.
Go to Capitol Hill to protect resources. Join us on Capitol Hill as our five networks raise our voices on behalf of the places we serve. Tell your representatives in Congress how federal funds work to improve lives in your community. Help change the narrative to highlight work that benefits low-income and disinvested places. If we don't tell the story of our places, who will?
HOSTS
* National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders * National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development * National Urban League * Network for Developing Conscious Communities * National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations
Read a message from the hosts about the importance of bringing together our networks at this critical moment for America's places.
HOTEL DISCOUNT
Hotel rooms are available at the discounted rate of $215 per night at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia – right above the Crystal City Metro Station. The hotel is minutes from Washington, DC and just one Metrorail stop away from Reagan National Airport. Reserve a discounted hotel room online or call 877-212-5752 and say you're attending People & Places 2017. You must RESERVE YOUR ROOM BY MAY 2 to get the discounted rate. In case you want to extend your time in the DC area, the discounted rate runs from May 27-June 5.
Click here for more information and to register today!
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) announced on April 5, 2017 a new grant funding opportunity, the Quick Impact Placebased Grant Program (QuIP), a matching program designed to fund the type of place enhancement and community transformation that sparks community wide conversation and creativity.
“One of the cornerstones of OCRA’s mission is to continuously look for partnership opportunities that offer a variety of resources to support community-led initiatives which improve the economic health and wellbeing of Indiana,” said OCRA Deputy Director Matt Crouch. “We are excited to launch QuIP as a fast turnaround, high impact opportunity for projects throughout our cities and towns.”
Eligible Applicants include:
Eligible applicants have the opportunity to apply for project funding between $2,500 and $5,000 with a 50 percent required cash and/or in-kind match.
“The goal in creating the Quick Impact Placebased Grant Program was to provide communities another opportunity in which to build upon their local assets and create community connections,” added IOTD Executive Director Mark Newman. “We recognize this is a fast turnaround, but have great faith these grants could provide the quick wins for communities to build upon or spark the initial conversations for local transformation and growth.”
Examples of Eligible Projects:
There are many eligible projects. These dollars should be used to create a small change that spurs conversation and community engagement. The space should in some way be transformed for the better.
Ineligible Projects include:
OCRA and IOTD encourage these projects to be community unique and locally inspired. Placemaking involves a working partnership with local governments, residents, community groups, and organizations as well as business and community agencies. Successful applications would demonstrate community collaboration, partnership capacity, and have impactful community benefits.
Applications must be received in the OCRA office by 4pm, EST on Friday, April 21, 2017.
Applications can be delivered in person or mailed to: 1 North Capitol Suite 600 Indianapolis, IN 46204
For more information on QuIP, contact your OCRA Community Liaison or visit: www.in.gov/ocra/quipgrant.htm.
In case you missed it, here's a link to our latest podcast:
2017 Mid-Session Policy Update
Other podcasts released this year include:
April podcasts will focus on business diversity.
The State of Indiana wishes citizens to participate in the development of the State of Indiana’s 2017 Annual Action Plan. In accordance with this regulation, the state is providing the opportunity for citizens to comment on the draft report, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on or before May 15, 2017.
Public hearings will take place at five locations on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 4:00pm EST- 6:00 pm EST.
Central/Indianapolis Indiana State Fairgrounds Discovery Hall, Suite 201 Indianapolis, IN 46205
Southwest/Vincennes Purdue Extension-Knox County 4259 N Purdue Rd. Vincennes, IN 47591
Southeast/Scottsburg Purdue Extension Office for Scott County 1 East McClain Avenue, Suite G-30 Scottsburg, IN. 47170-1894
Northeast/Huntington Purdue Extension Office 1340 S. Jefferson Street Huntington, IN 46750
Northwest/Rensselaer – note that this location in on Central Standard Time. The hearing will start at 3:00pm CST. Purdue Extension Office 2530 N. McKinley Avenue #1 Rensselaer, IN 47978
We asked Jennifer Layton of LTHC Homeless Services, formerly known as Lafayette Transitional Housing Center, for her take on leadership. The executive director of 25-staff strong LTHC since December 2000, Layton has cobbled together the best of what she's seen modeled to become the leader she is today. Here's her story:
I have served as an executive director for many years, and my leadership style has continued to evolve. If I took a class on leadership, I’m sure I would learn about many styles that I have bits and pieces of, but the one that I feel most connected with is Servant Leadership.
I have built my career around the philosophy of servant leadership which, in part, means that there is nothing I am unwilling to do to help reach the goal of ending homelessness. Ending homelessness takes a collaboration of people and organizations that all must work together. When I began my career with LTHC, 22 years ago, I honestly thought it would be an easy job… because how many homeless families could there be in Lafayette, Indiana?? There were more than I imagined. My next thought was “who doesn’t want to end homelessness?” There are those people as well. I take it as a personal challenge to help them understand the reasons that people become homeless and what they can do to help. All of those years of working directly with adults and children who had lived experiences that I had never imagined helped shape who I am.
Their stories, their challenges, and their determination showed me that when offered resources and support, people will succeed! I see it as my responsibility to continue to speak for them to make sure others will have a life-changing experience as well.
When I think about the impact I want to make at LTHC, I know I don’t want to be just a manager... I want to be a leader. I want to use my experiences working with homeless people to share their stories and show the community how important of a role LTHC can play in changing lives. I want the staff and the board of LTHC to understand their role and the impact they are making on the lives of people who are experiencing homelessness. Helping people is both rewarding and tiring, so my hope is to create an environment where the staff all feel appreciated and supported. Our role in the community is to end homelessness, and we can only do that by working as a team. Each person on my staff plays a valuable role, and it’s my job to encourage and help each part of my team understand their role and the asset they are to the group.
If I had to pick a single person who has influenced my leadership style the most, it would be my mother, who passed away three years ago. She was the perfect role model – diplomatic in all situations but also clear about what she wanted to achieve. In her philanthropic roles, she was the type of person who led by example. She would challenge people to learn about new things and ways the community could work together to solve issues. She drew people to her with her energy and enthusiasm and used her passion to help educate them and draw them into the solution.
Every leader should possess the quality of flexibility; and in my personal and professional life, there is rarely a day that goes according to plan. I have worked with many people who, when something goes awry, will get flustered and maybe even panic. I like to keep an even-temper so that problems that arise can be evaluated and addressed. While I consider myself passionate, I don’t think I am prone to emotional carelessness.
I encourage everyone on my team to think about their role and what they can do to be more successful. I want to challenge my employees to not only do their best for their clients, but for themselves as people. Doing the kind of work we do is life-changing – not only for the client, but also for the staff.
The one thing that I had to learn about leadership, the hard way… is to realize that not all people have the same values and beliefs that I do. Especially when it comes to basic human needs. I believe that we must do all we can to end homelessness for everyone. I had assumed that every person would have that same (or at least similar) belief. However, I have seen decisions being made that have huge consequences on the people that have the weakest voice. When I see this happening, it makes me even more determined to use my leadership skills to educate and provide insight to others.
Throughout my career, I have worked under several different types of leaders…all of whom I learned from. Some I aspire to be more like – to use some of the skills that I have seen them use successfully. There are also “leaders” that I have met that I try to avoid what I have seen them do because I judge it to be ineffective or not compatible with my own style. Every leader must find his/her own way to be true to themselves.
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