Dear Indy,
You can watch a documentary that offers solutions to homelessness Aug. 20 at Butler University.
Don Sawyer, who produced and directed “Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness,” spoke with economics reporter Tyler Fenwick about the goals when creating the film. Sawyer visited 12 cities to see how they tackle the issue. Milwaukee and Houston in particular, he said, have tried to rebuild their support structures urgently.
Sawyer indicates that homelessness is complicated and it’s a lot easier to end up on the street than you might think.
“You can relate to the people that are on the street. They are not normally the cause.”
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In other news
- Indianapolis Public Schools officials are urging families to take advantage of an immunization clinic scheduled for 4:30-8 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Shepherd Community Center, 4107 E. Washington St. The clinic takes all insurance types, including Medicare and Medicaid, and most vaccines are free even without insurance.
- Butler University and Marian University received a combined $47.5 million in grants from the Lilly Endowment to fund projects in Indianapolis’ midtown and westside communities. Here’s how they will spend it.
- Indianapolis launched a new grant program to help the growing Haitian and Burmese communities on the east and south sides. Specifically, the money will be used to provide specialized training in behavioral health and substance use.
Today’s weather from WTHR
Not as hot or humid today as the Muggy Meter drops on a refreshing breeze. Clouds decrease and a cooler night ahead. Plenty of sun in the days ahead, and the weekend looks like Weather Perfection.
What’s going on around the city
- Saturday, Aug. 10: The Africana Repertory Theatre of IU-Indianapolis is having its third annual CenterStage workshop at 8:30 a.m. at Eskenazi Hall, 735 W. New York St. The free event aims to connect aspiring Black artists with veterans of the theater. Several local artists, including AshLee Baskins, will serve as presenters.
- Saturday, Aug. 10: The 2024 Naptown DJ Fest will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Watkins Park, 2360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. Local DJs will perform throughout the day with vendor tables and food also available. Free.
- Tuesday, Aug. 13: Local bands Blackberry Jam and The Dopacetics pay tribute to Stax Records with performances starting at 7 p.m. at the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave. Tickets start at $12.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Chalkbeat Indiana/Axios Indianapolis: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police announced in April they would hold kids downtown to a strict curfew after a late-night shooting. About four months later, it turns out police aren’t tracking curfew violations.
- WIBC: At long last the I-69 and I-465 interchange is opening on the southwest side. It’s the final section to open of the I-69 project to link Indy and Evansville.
- WISH-TV: Here’s a look at coverage of the Indiana State Fair Band Day over the years.
Notes from our Documenters
Thursday, we will have a virtual orientation to train more Indy-based folks to become Documenters. We’ll talk about how to take notes at public meetings, the Documenters Network and answer your questions.
Here’s a link to register. I hope to see you there.
Questions? Email me at ariana.beedie@mirrorindy.org.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
I’ve been singing or playing the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” while I drive my daughter Lucy, who is now 3 years old, to day care since she was a little baby.
The other day on the way home from day care she started singing “Riley in the sky with octagons” to her 9-month-old sister.
Chris
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at chris.sikich@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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