IUPUI Solution Center receives grant to support Near Eastside Legacy Initiative
The JPMorgan Chase Foundation awarded the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Solution Center a grant of $75,000 to support IUPUI's initiative to increase student and faculty involvement in the Near Eastside of Indianapolis.
Graduate visual communication students from Herron School of Art and Design toured the Near Eastside neighborhood and new Legacy Center in early fall as part of Phase 1 of the IUPUI Chase Near Eastside Legacy Initiative
"The neighborhood is experiencing a renaissance, and the IUPUI Solution Center will ensure residents are aware of the available programming and services," said Dennis Bassett, chairman of Chase in Indiana.
The majority of the grant and match funding will be used to support the student internships and teams in their work to promote health and healthy habits on the Near Eastside, and to promote use of the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center.
Work to date includes a communication audit conducted by nine students from Herron School of Art and Design in fall 2011. The audit will be used to launch the project.
Over the next several months, IUPUI School of Public Health faculty will lead Near Eastside Legacy Initiative projects in preparation for the Public Health Awareness Campaign to be launched in fall 2012. In spring and summer of 2012, Near Eastside Legacy Initiative activities will include design internships in collaboration with start-up CODO Design, and the development of a community-based health asset map and public health awareness plan by graduate students of the School of Public Health.
"The Chase NELI will focus on communication strategies aimed at increasing knowledge of health, education and quality of life resources, as well as increasing awareness of and participation in the new Chase Legacy Center," said Teresa A. Bennett, director of the Solution Center. "The impact of this initiative will exceed $250,000 and result in greater community use and awareness of health and wellness resources."
Students in the Public Health and Liberal Arts communication courses, with continued communication planning by Herron and Liberal Arts students, will develop evaluation criteria and event planning for the proposed campaign.
IUPUI Solution Center
The IUPUI Solution Center, a division of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, actively engages in building community partnerships through research, internships and business assistance. As a first point of contact for the IUPUI campus, the staff assists business, industry, government and nonprofit organizations in accessing the resources appropriate to meet their challenges and reach their goals. The Solution Center administers the IUPUI Community Venture Fund, through which small businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies can apply for matching funds to support community-based internship programs, research projects or short-term business assistance efforts. The IUPUI Community Venture Fund may also permit large organizations to pilot innovative relationships with IUPUI faculty, staff and students. For more information about the Solution Center, visit www.solutioncenter.iupui.edu.
