Community updates

Near Northwest DIP-IN is back on the move

Despite the rising heat, our neighbors in the NNW have been finding new ways to make fitness a priority in their lives, and now with a new partnership with the Riverside Riders, a social club with bikes, and renewed partnerships with both Infernostep and Season 3 of Maximum Impact, we have made opportunity that much easier.

The Riverside Riders were started by two local residents five years ago. Their commitment is to get more of their neighbors, no matter the age, to get back out on bicycles, explore their neighborhood and all the new trails, attractions and sites that they may not have seen, and just have a good time with each other.

For five years, that is exactly what they have done. Through consistency and persistent community engagement, they have begun to build a new way of social life and the best part is that you will get healthier as you are doing it!

Well, our resident-led steering committee loved their intentions and their accomplishments and voted to have our NNW DIP-IN partner with the riders and help them build capacity so that they can continue getting more and more folks out riding towards better health.

This new partnership has truly been a blessing because it also keeps the control, direction and spirit of their organization at the forefront, thereby allowing DIP-IN to proudly honor this community-inspired initiative and partner WITH and not TO the residents.

Our Sunday Suppers have also kicked off with ever increasing attendance and surprises. Creating community dinners once a month now for its third year, the suppers have brought even more of our senior residents out to commune with their neighbors and sample good, unique and healthy food, all the while learning about resources and healthier opportunities that exist in their community.

All are welcome to come out and join us every third Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Frank Young Park and dine with us. 

Meet our new Near Northwest neighborhood community health worker, Donavan Johnson-Taylor. 

Donavan joined the team this quarter and has already been very busy learning about DIP-IN and getting out into the community. Read on to get to know a little about him.

How long have you been a part of the DIP-IN team and what is your role?

I've been a part of the DIP-IN team for about four beautiful months now and my role is (NCHW) community health worker. 

Tell us more about your background working with Indianapolis communities.

Well honestly this is my first time really working for a community. I have learned things about this community and my job that I never once learned before. DIP-IN has opened my eyes to what our community really is and what I can do to help connect residents to resources to improve their lives. 

Has there been a particular moment in the project so far that you felt like you made a significant impact on you or the community?

Yes, actually the DIP-IN meetings at IU have changed my perspective on our community and how we help our residents. It really opened my eyes about the problems in the community and how people like the IU team care about helping us help ourselves. 

What are you looking forward to in the coming years of DIP-IN?

I’m looking for a role I can play in the community to help people know about and use the resources that are around us in the community. 

When you are not working, what are you up to?

Currently, I'm a student at Marian University and majoring in sports management. I play basketball in the community to connect with more residents in our area. Also, another thing is I'm a first-time dad of a 1-year-old who is trying to show her a better way of life than the one I have lived by myself.

July 15 was a blast at the Near West Summer Bash! The Bash was held at Belmont Beach and DIP-IN was in attendance. Ariez, our Near West project manager, joined the fun by connecting with residents and providing them with lots of great information and resources.

Food and games were played and lots of organizations were there. It was a day filled with fun and information. Thank you to the Hawthorne Community Center and Near West community for putting together such a wonderful event.

Yoga classes offered by Chris Carey’s organization Excellence Fitness will begin in September at Belmont Beach. These are free classes sponsored by DIP-IN. Please take advantage of this opportunity!

This is an excellent way to stay/get in shape and to maintain good health.

We are pleased to welcome Quedawnta Clemons, our new Near West Eskenazi community health worker. Que started at the end of June. Stay tuned: We will be featuring her in our next quarterly update. We are excited to have her join the DIP-IN team. Welcome, Que.

Things in the Northeast are moving right along. The area’s project manager, Natalie, has been attending neighborhood events such as neighborhood association meetings and special events. The Arlington Woods Neighborhood Association’s National Night Out was a great opportunity for her to make connections with both residents and potential partners for DIP-IN. 

The Eskenazi community health worker position at the Forest Manor Clinic has been filled. Dasia Andrews started at the beginning of August and has been going through onboarding training. She is a great addition to the DIP-IN team and will be a great help to Malia. Stay tuned: We will be featuring her in our next quarterly update. Welcome Dasia.

Juneteenth event

On June 17, DIP-IN attended the Juneteenth event (@indyjuneteenth) at Military Park and our tabling was a success. Thank you so much for having us. Our Near West project manager Ariez had so much fun educating people about diabetes and what DIP-IN does. It was lovely to see so many Black businesses and to learn and support them. A special thank you to Ariez’s family for supporting her at the event. 

National Night Out (Northeast and Near West)

National Night Out is a wonderful event for DIP-IN team members to attend. Every year on the first Tuesday of August, neighborhoods across the country partner with local law enforcement to promote community partnership.

DIP-IN project managers Ariez and Natalie attended two of these local events this year. They were able to speak with residents about diabetes and the effects it has on their lives, as well as other programs and agencies in the Near West and Northeast neighborhoods that could lead to future partnerships.

Learn more about the national impact of these events