Health Engagement Zones

1 – West 38th St./International Marketplace HEZ

INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE IS A VIBRANT, DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A LONG HISTORY OF STRONG COMMUNITY TIES AND WELCOMING NEWCOMERS. COMMUNITY LEADERS WORK TIRELESSLY TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND NEW IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS.

The International Marketplace is young and dominated by families, with one third of residents under the age of 19 and over a third of residents between the ages of 20 and 44. The vast majority of residents – 84% – are people of color and a large portion – 38% – of the population are Spanish-speaking. While residents have physical access to food as there are many grocers and specialty grocers throughout the neighborhood, there are other barriers to making food more accessible for community members. Housing concerns affect 26% of patients surveyed. International Marketplace has a few key community organizations located within the neighborhood including the Global Village Welcome Center, YMCA and HealthPlex.

2 – Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus/Northeast Corridor HEZ

THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IS KNOWN FOR STRONG COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, WITH KEY ASSETS IN THE SIGNIFICANT FAITH-BASED INSTITUTIONS THAT UNDERGIRD THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

The Northeast Corridor has a population that is evenly distributed across the age spectrum – meaning that it also has a diverse range of health needs. The vast majority of residents – 85% – are people of color – with most being African American – and a large portion – 26% – of the population are Spanish-speaking Over a third of patients surveyed are experiencing food insecurity and over a third are experiencing housing concerns. Violence is one of the most significant challenges facing the Northeast Corridor community, with much higher rates of aggravated assault and homicide than the rest of Indianapolis and rates increasing over the past decade. Unemployment is also a major challenge facing Northeast Corridor residents, with a rate that is five times higher than elsewhere in the County. Recently, the neighborhood has attracted new businesses, a new grocery story, a new bank and several new housing developments. These assets along with the new Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit route promise to have a positive impact.

3 – Grassy Creek/Far East HEZ

COMMUNITY MEMBERS DESCRIBE THE FAR EASTSIDE AS A RESILIENT, YET UNDERVALUED AND UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOOD. THE FAR EASTSIDE IS KNOWN FOR ITS GREAT COMMUNITY COLLABORATION.

The Far Eastside is full of promise. It showcases incredible diversity, from Haitian Creole to Hispanic, from African American to Indian. The community is young and dominated by families, with one third of residents under the age of 19 and over a third of residents between the ages of 20 and 44. The majority of residents -78% -are people of color and a large portion -44% -of the population are Spanish-speaking. 10% of residents are Haitian Creole-speaking. Patients report high rates -over 35% -of both food and housing insecurity.

The Far Eastside has an incredibly strong coalition of faith-based and other community-serving organizations that provide invaluable support to residents, Nearly half the population lives more than a mile from a supermarket. With poor neighborhood walkability, transportation is a significant challenge expected to improve with lndyGo’s new Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit Route. The neighborhood is significantly underserved by libraries -critical community infrastructure for community gathering, upward mobility and even resiliency at times of emergency -with only one public library in its northwest quadrant which is largely cut off from residents traveling by foot, bus, or bicycle due to its location between the highway and Fort Harrison State Park.