INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Democratic party came together Thursday to highlight how the American Rescue Plan is helping Hoosiers recover from COVID-19.
The City of Indianapolis received $237 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, a large portion of which is being dedicated to violence reduction.
A total of $37.5 million will go toward a gun-violence reduction strategy, which includes hiring more peacemakers. Meanwhile, $45 million is going toward grassroots organizations and $30 million is dedicated to mental health programming.
Tony Lopez, deputy director of violence reduction for the city's Office of Public Health and Safety, said the money is already being put to good use.
"We've been able to grow our team from about 10-12 individuals and right now we are at about 40 — and we are well on our way to the 50 peacemakers we are wanting to have," said Tony Lopez.
Indy Parks and Recreation is also receiving funding through the federal stimulus package. An allocation of $16.5 million will be dedicated to improving city parks. But the funding can't be used at just any park in the city.
"Areas that might have high crime and or poverty — things of that nature — they've identified certain census tracks," said Principal Park Planner Andre Denman.
Denman said improving those parks could lead to a reduction in crime, which is a goal of revitalization efforts.
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According to the Asian American Alliance Inc. (AAAI), more than 175,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander people representing more than 45 countries are Indiana residents.
"When you make improvements and you get more people in a park, usually the things we don't want to happen in parks go away,” said Denman. “So when you make the improvements, you get more eyes, families people in parks, and you know, all the negative goes away."
Investments in underserved communities will also come from the Office of Public Health and safety through American Rescue Plan dollars — not only for violence reduction but investing in grassroots organizations.
"Helping them, in the long run, be able to pull those grants and pull that funding that they could get on their own by the things that we help them understand and learn from," said Lopez.
Indy Parks said it hopes to start construction by the beginning of next year and finish updates by the end of summer or early fall of 2023.
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Kids participate in activities, Rookie Run during annual 500 Festival
On Saturday, the 500 Festival hosted what they call Indy’s largest free outdoor festival for kids on Monument Circle.Alex Palou pulls away from Will Power to win 2nd straight Indy GP and retake points lead
Alex Palou won the race off pit row on Lap 62 then beat Will Power into the first turn on the only restart of the Indianapolis Grand Prix and easily defended last year's title on Indy's road courseShooting in Franklin subdivision leaves 2 injured
A shooting in the Branigin Woods subdivision in Franklin left two people injured on Saturday afternoon.Indiana Historical Society celebrates 18th annual Asian Fest
According to the Asian American Alliance Inc. (AAAI), more than 175,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander people representing more than 45 countries are Indiana residents.