“God put me in this position. . . as far as substance abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, divorce, school dropout, teen pregnancy, all of these different things that you think about in a community, have either happened to me or someone in my family. So who else to better speak up for the community or bring the community together?”

—LaToya, resident of Carriage House East in the city’s Far Eastside

Although there has been much focus on and development in neighborhoods close to the downtown core, communities further out are often overlooked. This month’s episode of For Good focuses on the Far Eastside and how its residents are stepping up to make change happen in their neighborhood. Both Mount Carmel Church and the Collective Impact Council are featured in this episode for their place-based initiatives that are giving residents a new sense of hope.

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Transcription of episode available below.

WHO YOU’RE LISTENING TO

Kim Jacobs – WFYI Media

LaToya Tahirou – resident at Carriage House East

Annie Smith – CICF community ambassador

Alicia Collins – director of community collaborations at CICF

Tanya Johnson – chief of staff at Mount Carmel Church

Ellie Lindhem – service coordinator manager at Carriage House East Apartments

DISCOVER MORE

Glick Fund at CICF

Groundbreaking for Carriage House East Resident Success Center in The Indianapolis Star

Learn more about our community ambassadors

CAFE (Community Alliance for the Far Eastside)

WHERE IS THE FAR EASTSIDE?

Click to enlarge map. Map created by Naplab. Learn more about the map and where you can get one for yourself here.

Welcome to For Good, Central Indiana Community Foundation’s podcast highlighting stories about passion, purpose, and progress in Central Indiana. At CICF we believe in opportunity and equity. We believe that our communities and neighborhoods are stronger because of our diversity. And we believe that with innovation and boldness, Central Indiana can be a place where everyone can reach their full potential, no matter their place, race or identity. This is our community and these are your stories.

When veterans came home after World War II, the Indianapolis Far Eastside neighborhood grew by leaps and bounds. There were jobs at Western Electric, Chrysler, and Ford.

LATOYA TAHIROU: It was much quieter. If you look at now and then, you would allow your kids to go outside and play comfortably.

LaToya Tahirou grew up on the Far Eastside. She lives here now. But life is different for LaToya’s own three children.

LATOYA TAHIROU: This neighborhood has definitely changed. There is … there’s not a day that I don’t come home I don’t see police.