Three Citizens employees are serving as Neighborhood Ambassadors through a program expansion resulting from the strategic planning process during fiscal year 2020.
Over the next 3-5 years, Alex Haberfield, Jennifer Mentink, and Jennifer Stansberry will be points of contact for specific geographic areas: SoIndy, Martindale-Brightwood, and King Commons, respectively. (Read more about each neighborhood below.
The goal of the Neighborhood Ambassador Program is to enhance community and public engagement, positively impact customer satisfaction and mitigate risk due to the disruption and potential conflicts associated with Citizens’ infrastructure projects.
Several years ago, Citizens successfully deployed the program in the Twin Aire and other neighborhoods near the company’s former manufactured gas and coke plant on east Prospect Street. The objective was to work alongside the community and return the site, which sat on 140 acres, to uses that would enhance economic development and quality of life for the residents. The Indianapolis Community Justice Campus is now being built on the property and will serve as a catalyst for economic growth to attract private and public investments.
“Citizens has a great reputation, and we want to build upon that solid foundation,” said Shannon Stahley, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs. “We envision this program will deepen our roots of engagement and eventually expand beyond the three initial areas.”
Neighborhoods in the program are identified based on the following factors:
- - Citizens’ capital projects will have significant impacts on the area such as road closures, noise and utility service outages
- - Low-income
- - Low customer satisfaction levels
- - High rate of delinquencies
Ambassadors will regularly engage with the neighborhoods' residents and help leverage various Citizens resources such as branding/marketing support, technical expertise, employee volunteers, and philanthropic grants to support neighborhood initiatives.
“Our main objective is to listen to the community members and identify ways Citizens can serve our residents, beyond providing safe, reliable services,” Stahley added.
SoIndy | Neighborhood Ambassador: Alex Haberfield
Covering eight square miles with a population of nearly 40,000, the South Indianapolis (SoIndy) Quality of Life neighborhoods include Bean Creek, Garfield Park, University Heights, Carson Heights, Meridian Raymond, South Village, Northwest Perry, and Rosedale Hills. The eight neighborhoods, with distinct history and identities, boast a range of housing options, commercial corridors serving local and regional needs, educational institutions from pre-K to post-secondary, and recreational destinations.
Martindale-Brightwood | Neighborhood Ambassador: Jennifer Mentink
The Martindale Brightwood neighborhood is one of Indianapolis’ most historic neighborhoods. It has a rich culture and is home to many multi-generational residents. With a population of just under 28,000, it is bounded by 30th Street on the north, Sherman Drive on the east, Massachusetts Avenue and 21st Street on the south and the Monon Trail on the west. Most homes in the area were built between 1939 and 1960 and less than 50 percent are owner-occupied. Frederick Douglass Park, which opened in 1921 as Indy’s “black” park, Martin University, several elementary schools, the Edna Martin Christian Center, the Martindale-Brightwood Community Development Corporation, as well as multiple parks and nearly 100 churches all reside in the neighborhood.
King Commons | Neighborhood Ambassador: Jennifer Stansberry
Nestled in the northwest outskirts of downtown Indy, bound by 25th and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. streets, lies a gem of a community. King Commons Great Place is rich in heritage, culture and green space. It’s also home to a main street that honors Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an icon of American history. The community is close-knit, family oriented and embedded in its history, from Flanner House to Riverside Park. King Commons is characterized by the West African Adinkra symbol Bese Sake, located in the center of the Flanner House gardens, which represents agriculture, affluence, power, abundance, plenty, togetherness and unity. The goals of the King Commons Great Place are an outgrowth of the long-term work of the Northwest Area Quality of Life planning process, completed in 2014 by residents to build a stronger, more sustainable community for the current and future residents of the northwest area.
Live in one of these areas or interested in how you can get more involved in this program? Reach out to one of the Neighborhood Ambassadors to learn more.
Photos, top to bottom:
Cleo’s Café & Bodega is a well-known community gathering spot in King Commons, featuring a restaurant, grocery store, and displays of local artwork.
SoIndy residents have hosted group bike rides to promote the Pacers Bikeshare program, with a rental station at Shelby Street and Southern Avenue.
Michelle Strahl Salinas, South Indy Quality of Life Plan Director, showcases Bethany Community Gardens, an effort to enhance the livability, health and vibrancy of the area.
Frederick Douglass Park opened in 1927. Sitting on 43 acres, the facility provides many amenities for local families, including a swimming pool, golf course, basketball court, and playground.
