Join us Dec 5 when Art Farnsley, Research Professor of Religions Studies, Senior Research Fellow for the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, shares findings from his recent report on the similarities and differences between people living in urban, suburban, and rural Indiana. With more and more Hoosiers living in suburban communities, there are some interesting cultural foundations to understand as our landscape and populations changes. The implications for these changes on faith communities has broad appeal.

We are pleased to announce the launch of this baseline equity report designed to highlight racial disparities and inequities across multiple sectors Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Racial Equity report card presents over 30 indicators that describe the state of equity in Indianapolis in seven key areas (economy, health, education, access, environment, criminal justice, and housing), chosen based on community input.

On Dec. 7, 2023, the Polis Center showcased a new statewide tool it developed that will help users better understand trends and relationships between evictions and societal factors. The goal of the tool is to raise awareness of evictions in Indiana and provide a resource to empower communities to instill change. Experts in the eviction and housing circle will serve as expert panelists to provide insight and perspective on this important topic. Partners in the project include WFYI Public Radio and New America, a “think and action” tank which focuses on equity at the center of its research and policy recommendations.

The May 16 State of Aging Report forum explored Central Indiana trends in the socioeconomic wellbeing of older women, implications for their long-term health and wellbeing, and ideas for planning and building their networks of support. Presented by The Central Indiana Senior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, in partnership with The Polis Center and WFYI Public Media.

This initiative features bimonthly e-newsletter updates on how the Indianapolis metro area is recovering and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic on some of the most pressing and challenging issues in our community. We look a Indianapolis unemployment rate; housing prices in the Indianapolis metro area; Central Indiana monthly average monthly rent; and status of homicides.

The Polis Center’s expertise in neighborhood level community information differentiates it, bringing a holistic perspective to best identify improvements. It looks beyond the physical infrastructure elements of mitigation by bearing in mind a region’s vulnerable populations, social weaknesses and services, social determinants of health, and more when preparing a community’s MHMP.

Polis partnered with Welborn Baptist Foundation to customize the SAVI community information system to support the region’s Grow Capacity Building platform. The Grow data system aims to help local stakeholders better understand the community’s demographics, needs, and assets. The SAVI team also is building capacity of Grow leaders to support local organizations in their use of data.