United Neighborhoods


Transforming neighborhoods from the inside out

In 2021, Metro United Way announced a new, place-based approach focused on specific neighborhoods within our 7-county region. Our neighborhood model prioritizes resident-driven priorities, strategies and solutions for investment, and understands that sustained neighborhood change requires listening to residents, authentic relationship-building, significant investment, and a long-term commitment. The California neighborhood in Jefferson County was the first neighborhood selected by Metro United Way, and work is expanding to the Origin Park neighborhood in Southern Indiana beginning Spring 2024. Over time, we hope to scale the United Neighborhoods approach to other neighborhoods across our seven county region.

Efforts so far include:

  • Supported five
    neighborhood events:

    • Senior Day
    • California Day
    • Back-to-School Bash
    • Light Up California
    • Descendants of California Neighborhood Forum

  • Invested in six partners:

    • New Directions Housing Corporation
    • Mary’s Bright Idea (California Leadership Council)
    • Sparrow House
    • 2Not1 Fatherhood and Families
    • Brightside Foundation
    • Louisville Parks and Recreation

  • Planned and executed first ever neighborhood-focused Day of Action in September 2022 which consisted of 11 projects, 164 volunteers, and nearly 500 hours of service

  • Continued support of individual neighborhood projects: gardening shed, senior center flower beds

  • 38 resident-owned homes repaired

  • Supporting the development of a neighborhood youth board via the Coalition Supporting Young Adults

Real Stories

  • Mrs. Marzette (pictured left) has lived in her home on Greenwood Avenue since 1969 and currently has three generations living with her. She hopes to pass her home to her youngest daughter (also pictured) when the time comes. With a new roof funded by Metro United Way, and a repaired air conditioning unit and new bathroom funded by Metro United Way partner New Directions, she now has a safer, more accessible home.
  • Mr. Jones is a professional musician and gospel singer in his 60s who hasn’t been able to perform since experiencing heart and breathing issues. When the contractor arrived at his house on Osage Avenue, he discovered that the home had a dangerous backdraft in the rear of the home causing a slow, but dangerous carbon monoxide leak. Since it’s been fixed, his health has improved and he reports that he’s breathing so much better and can’t wait to get back to work to sing again.

A new approach:

How Metro United Way is building trust, creating an equitable community through United Neighborhoods

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FUTURE PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE:

  • Continue to build relationships and trust among diverse groups of community residents, leaders and groups

  • Seek out and invest in individuals, community leaders, and partner organizations that are aligned with our goals around CommUNITY

  • Continue to partner with neighborhood organizations to invest in the repairs of resident-owned homes

  • Explore new partnerships with additional partners and neighborhood leaders

  • Maintain open dialogue with resident groups, and continue to respond to urgent needs and ideas

  • Dedicated capacity to support and expand United Neighborhoods into additional neighborhoods in 2023-2024

  • Support volunteer work to do more neighborhood-focused projects

  • Implement education, economic mobility, health and basic needs strategies through a neighborhood-focused lens

Partners

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