Neighborhood Quality of Life
Indianapolis’ South and Southeast neighborhoods organize and implement work plans to empower and connect neighbors in a lasting way. Originated by Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), in 2007, Quality-of-Life (QoL) plans engage people of all backgrounds in a central space to discuss neighborhood concerns and identify solutions in several quality-of-life areas including public safety, housing, economic & workforce development, education, and health. Twenty neighborhoods, across both planning areas, work from the QoL to advocate for and advance a better quality of life for all.
The South Indy and Southeast Quality of Life plans are integral to some of the most celebrated and recognized spaces of Indy's South and Southeast neighborhoods, spaces like the Cultural and Pleasant Run Trails, Pacer's Bike Share, the Fountain Square Plaza, Southeast Community Services Youth Center, affordable housing development in Norwood, nutritional food pantries, Garfield Park Farmers Market, and educational gardens, like North Square Community Gardens and Bethany Gardens.
Quality of Life plans are living documents, starting in 2022, neighbors in the Twin Aire Neighborhood Coalition (TANC), South Indy, and Southeast QoL communities have been going through the process to update their respective work plans. Quality of life planning is neighborhood driven and significantly volunteer led, and SEND is excited to be serving as the lead agency in these efforts.
In December of 2023 neighbors convened to review and relaunch the QoL Planning Committees. At this meeting, SEND also revealed an updated QoL Plan, called “Southeast Indy QoL” which is a combination of the TANC Great Places, South Indy, and Southeast QoL Plans. This combined plan is an effort to uplift and advocate for the whole Southeast side, while still allowing the voice of the original three plans to be present and active. SEND will continue convening quarterly meetings so that neighbors are involved in every step of the planning process.
To view the slide deck from the 12/06/2023 meeting, QoL planning committee information, the combined Southeast Indy QoL Plan, and the similarities across the original three plans, click the buttons below.
SEND brings together a diverse group of organizations and residents to identify priorities ranging from enhanced education, affordable housing, broader job choices, safer streets, and new economic opportunities. The QoL's commonly known as SoIndy and Southeast Neighborhood QoL are under continual evaluation, and we encourage neighbors to get involved in that process!
SEND is the convener, or lead agency, of these plans. As the convening agency, SEND is responsible for coordinating QoL meetings and communications, as well as reporting back QoL progress to partners and funders. Our major partners include Southeast Community Services (SECS), Citizens Energy, INHP, BigCar Collaborative, University of Indianapolis, LISC.
