Articles by Mike Rhodes

By Jason Donati— MUNCIE, IN – As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) closes out the year, we would like to share MAP’s efforts to improve quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County as we approach our Annual Community Meeting on Wednesday, January 31st at 6:00 p.m. The public is invited to join MAP at Minnetrista’s Indiana Room to hear from each of our four task forces as they share the work completed during 2023. This is the fourth of four reports from our task force leaders. Task Force 4 is tasked with increasing investments in Muncie’s parks and improve…

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is strengthening operations by investigating and implementing best practices for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). In the Summer of 2023, the Foundation began work with expert consulting firm Optiplied to evaluate current policies, procedures, and perceptions. The consultation will result in the creation of a task force and subsequent action plan focused on organizational improvements with a DEIB lens. As part of its engagement with the Foundation, Optiplied is seeking community input. To capture community perception of The Community Foundation, Optiplied is conducting a variety…

By Kim Williams— EAST CENTRAL, IN – Each year, frigid temperatures throughout the Heart of Indiana region produce large utility bills for residents. This past week’s extreme below-freezing temperatures will produce even larger utility bills than normal.  Thousands of local families will struggle to cover the cost of those bills and may face the possibility of utility disconnection and the resulting loss of heat during the remaining coldest weeks and months ahead. Heart of Indiana United Way’s Friend to Friend Utility Assistance Fund provides help to struggling local families at risk of not being able to heat their homes because…

By Heather Williams— MUNCIE, IN – As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) closes out the year, we would like to share MAP’s efforts to improve quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County as we approach our  MAP’s Task Force 3 is charged with improving Muncie’s Neighborhoods by cultivating partnerships around comprehensive, block-level strategies for improvement. The best indications of progress towards achieving healthy blocks and healthy neighborhoods are stabilized housing markets, improved housing conditions, increased resident engagement and grassroots leadership capacity, and improved neighborhood image. Task Force 3 worked to move the needle on healthier neighborhoods by continuing to…

Editor’s note: Delaware County, will conduct the Point-In-Time count on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the rest of the State of Indiana. By the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority— INDIANAPOLIS—The statewide annual count of individuals experiencing homelessness will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Service providers and volunteers in local communities across Indiana will be conducting the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count for the Indiana Balance of State (BOS) Continuum of Care (CoC) in 91 of the 92 counties in the state. Marion County (Indianapolis) conducts its own PIT Count. The purpose of this…