Editorial from Indy Star

By; V.Pardue-Edwards

http://blogs.indystar.com/intouch/archives/cat_victoria_pardueedwards.html

An essential move toward the capability of any community to guide its future is to first name the problem it is trying to solve.

All too often the "fix-it" approach takes over and symptoms get all the attention.

Establishing a community's ability to transform its own future will take a number of tactics. A community can concentrate on organizations and individuals; it can focus on effective associations and shared values; and it can hone in on civic engagement and participation.

Years of valuable research from the Kettering Foundation has found that "unless a community issue is understood from multiple perspectives and takes into account different interests, it is unlikely that citizens can work together as a community."

It is an inner nature frame of mind as well as a development plan that permits a person or a group of people to be strengthened and energized by possibility and not overcome by insufficiency.

A report from the Committee for Economic Development concludes, "Community building alone will not revitalize a community, but no initiative will succeed without it."

cat_victoria_pardueedwards.html

As we think about the challenges facing the nation in its third century, an old African proverb comes to mind, "Many of us would rather live in a familiar hell than go to unknown heavens."
Communities that want to change their patterns must begin with projects that change not only the civic environment, but also identify burning platform issues.
This does not just happen on its own. It takes years of building trust, relationships, and a system of norms and expectations. True, at all levels of community work, groups must build on small successes as they work toward fundamental change.
We shouldn't let the fear of the unknown paralyze us as individuals or as a society. Sociologist, Becky Anderson put it best when she said, "Everybody must realize the value they have. A community has a right to believe in itself; if it doesn't, no one else will believe in it either.

For Immediate Release

July 14, 2010

Contact:Victoria Pardue-Edwards

317-924-5747

v.pardue_edwards@live.com

Photo Opportunity:

Volunteers paint community

Mural Along Monon Trail

Graffiti Hot Spot to Become Monon Mural

Business, neighbors, artist, IMPD, Prosecutor, Probation office join forces

Indianapolis – A collaboration sparked by a community organizer will result in a 20 by 60 foot mural for Monon Trail hikers and neighbors to enjoy where there was once only graffiti and chipped paint.

Indiana Carpet Distributor (ICD) at

5255 Winthrop Ave.

sits along the Monon Trail, and owner Ed Arkin, whose family has owned the business for generations has long felt he should leave his parking area unfenced to allow walkers easy access to the trail.

“The businesses have always lived in harmony with the residents in this neighborhood. I haven’t opted to install a fence around the property because I want to provide our neighbors with safe access to the Monon” says Mr. Arkin.

But easy access to the Monon meant high traffic – and a never-ending problem with graffiti – and the wall became an eyesore.

Community development consultant Victoria Pardue-Edwards felt Mr. Arkin, the neighbors and Monon hikers should be rewarded with a wall that was an asset to the area, not an eyesore and she found the partners to make it happen.

Thanks to the IMPD, Marion County Prosecutors Office and Probation Department volunteer crews are painting over the existing graffiti site with DPW basic gray paint – but that is just the beginning.

“I knew this spot was the perfect location for a mural which can be long-lasting and something for residents and hikers to enjoy,” said Pardue-Edwards. She contacted local artist Kyle Fenner who agreed to design the mural that would grace the wall. “As a neighbor and community advocate I am excited about having the opportunity to work collaboratively on this mural with the community. I strongly support public artwork. It has an amazing ability to unite, while creating a sense of place. It will have a lasting impact, imparting respect for our neighborhood."

Pardue Edwards coordinated the efforts to get volunteer labor and donated materials to make this transformation happen.

In addition to the IMPD and Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, Pardue-Edwards received assistance from the Marion County Office of Probation and the Marion County Health and Hospital’s Tool Loan program to begin the first preparations.

Paint and primer is being donated by Asset Recycling, a division of Youth Fair Chance, an Indianapolis not-for-profit.

For more information contact Pardue-Edwards at

317-924-5747

v.pardue_edwards@live.com

http://communitycoalition.info

You are invited to interview the artist and volunteers painting the mural.

Painting will take place:

August 26, 27, 28 2010 (final prep work ie: scraping/power-washing)

September 9, 10, 11 2010 (paint/apply mural)

~V. Pardue-Edwards

Development | Community Relations | Fundraising