7/27/2005
Media Contact:
Margie Smith-Simmons, DPW, 327-4669 |
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Public Works reaches out with a new initiative
Public awareness campaign designed to foster relations with a vibrant population INDIANAPOLIS -- This morning the Indianapolis Department of Public Works kicked off its Latino outreach initiative in an effort to help foster relations with the fastest growing population in Indianapolis.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Indianapolis/Marion County represents 18.6% of the state's Hispanic population with 40,000 residents. However, other local demographic studies from the year 2000 estimate the current Latino population at 85,000-100,000.
"Through increased communication and outreach, we hope to enhance our ability to provide services to the Latino community while improving the quality of life of all residents in our diverse city," DPW Director Jim Garrard said.
As part of this effort, DPW will be working with neighborhood and business leaders to schedule quarterly community clean-ups, weather permitting, in an effort to further develop and sustain connections in the Latino community. The first clean-up will be held on Saturday, August 13 from 8:00 a.m. to noon in neighborhoods bounded by Belmont, Warman, Ohio and Jackson streets.
During the clean-ups, bilingual DPW representatives and others will walk door-to-door throughout the targeted area and distribute Spanish-language materials to further educate and empower the Latino community on accessing available DPW services and resources.
"To build a world-class city, Indianapolis must attend to the needs of all of its residents," Deputy Mayor Melina Kennedy said. "DPW's Latino outreach initiative supports Mayor Peterson's on-going effort to build a relationship with this important segment of our community."
In addition to quarterly clean-ups, this public awareness campaign also includes:
-- Production of Spanish collateral materials that are available in print and online at www.IndyGov.org/DPW ;
-- Development of a universal litter prevention sign that will be posted throughout the neighborhoods; and
-- Participation in various Latino outreach opportunities such as the Mayor's Latino Forum, Fiesta Indianapolis and neighborhood meetings.
The Mayor's Commission on Latino Affairs greatly assisted DPW in forming partnerships with the Latino community and helped create a true grassroots effort by encouraging the Latino community to participate in and contribute not only to this initiative, but to the cultural, civic, social and economic life in the Indianapolis community.
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