Roving Listener

Keith
A roving listener is a person who goes around the neighborhood and finds people’s gifts and talents. It is a great way to connect with the community.

Today we went on an interview with Keith and we walked and talk which was just around the corner. He was basically talking about the neighborhood and how his life is and what it could have been he has been in a lot of trouble. He was doing burglar and sealing drugs and doing that he went to jail and even throw all of the things he did to people they still have the up most respect for him because of his respect and honor he turned his life around and now doing something that’s worth doing. He also told me about how when he was little him and his friends would chase after girls and do all the things that he wish he could change and if he could he would but now he have made a different because all the things he did when he was a child he can stop some one else’s child form the some things and his own. That’s his way of giving back because he loves to shareRoving on 33rd & ParkPatricia and Thomas 3361 Park Avenue 716-8919

Thomas was the person who answered the door. Patricia says, “I don’t want to participate.” Thomas goes on to talk about being a waiter and aspiring film-maker. He expresses his frustration with trying to get going in Indianapolis. He then tells me he is from Pasadena, California. He explains that Patricia and he are cousins, and it is really her house that he is living in, and he is thinking about moving back to California.

I asked him more about his gift for writing and he says, “I am also a good speaker; I have a radio voice; I care about my neighbors and the young people on the block.”

He also wonders how to get more street lights since it is so dark at night.

Terry Colemen 3353 Park Avenue 926-7053 and 224-9295
Nelly Colemen 3355 Park Avenue

Terry has a face that lights up the block. Her personality is very captivating. She welcomed me right into her home. I think she was delighted that someone was coming to talk to her about what she was good at. Terry works at BMG Music as a customer service representative. She has a teenage daughter named Danielle who attends Franklin High School. Danielle, is an artist, poet, photographer, and studies drama in school.

Terry is an excellent communicator, and she is a good listener. She thinks she could be a good therapist. She talks to a couple of the prostitutes who walk around in the neighborhood. She worries about them because it could be dangerous for them. Terry sees something special in them, and she believes that it can be brought out of them. She also worries about the teens hanging out across the street at Martha’s house. She is very good with young people because she can keep them in line, and she understands them. Terry grew-up on this block since five years of age

Nelly is Terry’s mother and lives next door to Terry. She did not say much that day, I remember when I first moved to Indy. Terry says, “Danielle and I used to walk down Park on our way to Broadway United Methodist Church. I used to see Nelly and her husband on the Porch. They would always make my day because they always spoke to us. They seemed to really enjoy each other.” Terry told me that her father died in 2005, and that she was saddened more because I was looking forward to having a conversation with her and Nelly.

Roving on 30th & and Park

This is one of the most talented groups of people that I have had the chance to meet with thus far. This group has enough attitude to go along with the talent. I predict that many things will happen surrounding food and youth. I think we should watch them closely.

MaDia Brown 3025 North Park Avenue

When I first walked in to her house she said to me in an intimidating tone, “I’ve already filled out a survey!” I quietly explained that I am something much different from a survey. She let me come in a little further and then she invited me to sit. I asked her what are some of her gifts and talents. She named off a list. She is a drummer, singer, and writer. She let me read some of her poetry, which was very good. While I was there she also played a CD with a beautiful voice. She informed that the beautiful voice was hers. She sings jingles for 1310 AM. She is also a very good motivator and organizer. She told a story about how she pulled together a team of people to knock on doors to raise money. She also sells Avon and is very good at it. Ms. Brown has an eight year old son, who plays the drums. She is a full-time student at Martin University and holds a 4.0 G.P.A. She bought her house a year ago, and will be a very important resource to this block.

Pamela Taylor 3039 North Park Avenue

With motherly love, Pam is kind of an introvert, but was delighted to speak about what she loves to do. As I walked in her house she had all of her nieces and nephews there. Pam said she really likes kids and cooking. She enjoys kids, and likes to cook. She told me about her Christmas dinner and how big it was. Although she is not a people person, she is very excited about the neighbors getting together to learn more about each other.

Shane & Patricia Strodtman
3050 North Park Avenue

Imagine a neighbor that is not only considerate, but very knowledgeable about gardening and law. Shane and Trish own their own home plus a lot next to Miss Johnson, where they have a greenhouse. They have a daughter and she is about one year old. She is very involved in their work when they are not gardening in the backyard. They run their own landscape and organic design company; however the name slips my mind at the moment. Trish is the actual growing expert and Shane is the soil and prep expert. I see him often on the side of his house making compost. He does the neat step by step process that creates rich black soil.

As we got deep into our conversation, I asked them how things are going on their block. There was some frustration and disappointment in their answer. They informed me that some things were missing from their truck I think that the most frustrating thing about the situation is that they know it is someone they know or someone who knows them. They had plenty of good to say about there block, Especially about Fletcher who lives on 30th & Ruckle and Chopper who lives on 31st & Park. Fletcher and Chopper will make good business partners if they had the right structure says, Shane. They both have skills in landscaping and are both very admiral fellows. The thing I heard most from them was that they would like to really get to know their neighbors and form a sort of block club or a way to communicate on a regular basis. They can and will be an available resource for Park.

James and Sabrina Brown 3011 North Park Avenue

Sabrina and James have lived on this block for about a year. I must say after talking with this couple I realized that this block has got it going on with the level of potential energy that it has. Sabrina is good with talking with people especially people she does not know. She immediately started talking about a special event that a few neighbors get involved in called Kids Day. Kids day is where they plan fun events for kids. Food and music maybe involved next year. They put their own money and resources together to make this happen, they also planned a halloween get together. She says that Rhonda Richardson wants to contribute next year. Sabrina also has a small garden in her back yard and wishes to get one of these empty lots to garden in. She tried to get in touch with the owner but he or she never responded back. She also would have gotten resources such as seeds and people to work on it. Her objective for next year is to get this off the ground. One of the things she dreams about with her neighbors is to open up a catering business. They do not have and exact plan for it, but it’s something they would like to explore in the future.

James is the ultimate husband he supports his wife in her work in the community. James also has experience as a auto mechanic; he dares not to take his car to any place to be fixed unless he is sure he cannot fix it him self. (I need my radiator fixed so I am going to try him out myself). He also works a third shift job and he and his wife has 4 children together. There is Kadijah (8), Shanessey (7), Excell (3), & Nia (2). This family seems to be one of the most energetic families on the block. They have great connecting capabilities. It will be fun to see them put their dreams into action.

Rhonda Richardson 3003 North Park Avenue

Rhonda is a long time member of this community. She is a licensed elementary teacher. She has many gifts and talents, such as sowing organizing and used to have a girls group that did the step dance. She also taught in the summer program a couple of years ago. Lately she has been gardening and landscaping in her front yard, growing flowers and stuff like that. I always hear her talk about young people and how she likes to challenge them. She challenges her son Donald, who is a pretty good auto mechanic enrolled at Lincoln Tech. Rhonda does not let Don get off easy she has always held him responsible for his own actions.

Jerrold & Richard Edwards 3034 North Park Avenue

These two young men live with their mother. Jerrold is 17 years old and Richard is 16 years old. They both attend Arlington H.S. Jerrold is a senior and wants to attend IUPUI. He hopes to get scholarship money to assist him. He loves sports and enjoys making people laugh. He admires his mother and says she is a hard worker and very serious. Richard is sophomore and is kind of shy. He likes to play basketball and videogames. I was unable to speak to their mother because she was at work.

Roving on 29th and talbott

This is week 2 of the roving experience, this block provided a very different than the last, but just as enjoyable, This is also the block I live on, a very small block with 13 houses or apartments with 7 homes being occupied. Directly across the street is State auto insurance on the block just north of it (30th& Penn) is Mapleton Fall creek development corp., just south on the (28th & talbott ) there is the Lilly endowment. This block had a strong spirit and showed great respect for the issues that face one another as you read through these conversations think about what we are called to do with what you hear? Now take a listen.

John
2933 Talbot

John has only lived on this street for about a year, but is very interested in investing into his block. John graduated from Notre Dame and his now a Sales Manager. He believes that people should first start investing in themselves. John has begun fixing up his home. His talents are proposal writing and good communication skills. John says he would donate his time to make important phone calls to Congress and Senators to get the ball rolling. He feels that Antonio is a great leader and really enjoys him as a neighbor. He really wants to help Ms. Ella (Antonia & Tanicia’s grandmother who also lives on the same block). John thinks that Ms. Ella is an excellent gardener.

Janeen Harges
2903 Talbot Street

Janeen Harges has lived in this neighborhood for two years. Janeen is a Romance Consultant and owns a small home-based business selling marital aides. Janeen is very dedicated to her family. Her goal is to open a nice, upscale, comfortable adult novelty store. She wants to open a store where women will feel comfortable to shop.

Natasha Moore & Richard Moore
2953 North Park Avenue

Richard is a full-time student, who also teaches golf and coaches basketball at TAB. He is also very knowledgeable about computers. Lamont, from 2944 Park Ave., is Richard’s best friend. Although Natasha does not own her house, she would like to own a home in this neighborhood. Natasha is afraid that she won’t be able to afford her own home. Richard also enjoys his neighborhood, and if challenged he would use his computer networking skills to contribute to the community. Richard and Natasha have six beautiful children. Richard and his son Enrique are starting up a family band. Natasha is a stay at home mom; she is very crafty and enjoys cooking. She has cheese cake business, and also makes specialty tacos called Tasha Tacos. Natasha is a very creative soul in the arts; she decorated and designed her bathroom. She painted beautifully crafted roses on the bathroom walls. Richard is very excited that someone took the time to learn more about his family and he can’t wait to learn more about the talents of his neighbors.

Russell
2901 Talbot Street

Russ is De’Amon’s neighbor. He is the only person that De’Amon has stayed next to.
Russell likes to play his music loud, and De’Amon looks forward to it. Russ really knows his music. He is going to produce the music for the neighborhood radio station, run by several youth in Mapleton Fall Creek. Russ is also a talented artist, but he does not have time to work on his paintings. He works as a disc jockey and a butcher. Russ has a one year old daughter.

Antonio & Tanicia
@ 2925 N. Talbott

This couple has a wonderful family of 4, 3 girls and one boy. They have lived on this street for 7 years with their Grand Mother living about 4 houses down (Miss Ella) Antonio is very gifted with young people. He has a high energetic spirit and also a big heart He enjoys sports very much as a matter of fact there were about 15 young men from the basket ball team he coaches @ school 48 on right in this Neighborhood. He has good communication skills that can bring a group of people together.
Antonio also has a group of young men that meet once a month at his home they regroup redirect and rebuild what he does is listen to them, support them and pray for them. He challenges himself to have faith that God is working through him to direct young men to do what god has called them to do. He usually works with the young people that hang out around the block and some times they give people the flux, he believes that all they need is someone to believe in them. Antonio’s dream is to be able to this full time he would maybe start with some activies like a neighborhood basket ball team where other coaches from the hood would participate and have each young Man learn what a scripture and what it means, Then enjoy there time together. He says that his friends from church support him but the most important support comes from his Wife Tanicia, because she prays for him.

Tanicia is not only prayerful but very patient she is there when all the young people are @ the house and she enjoys it. She owns a Beauty shop on 34th and central near the ticket house for about three months she enjoys her neighborhood and hope to continue to work and live here may be even support and encourage people that want to start their own business.

Roving on 30th & Ruckle Street

This was a difficult street to rove on because of the drug activity that goes on, on this block. Over half of the homes are empty and there are three empty lots that are there. The Buddah Boyz are hanging out there most of them I know. It’s badly in need of redevelopment. How can we bring hop back to this block.

Raevena Webster, Michael Nowling, & Crystal Jackson (3030 Ruckle)RaeVena Webster is the Donor Choice Coordinator of United Way of Central Indiana. Her job entitles her to help others; she has been on the job for nearly 10 years. She has lived in this neighborhood all of her life on 29th & Park to where she is now. She has two children Lindsey (12) and Kory’Al (3). Michael Nowling also resides he is the brother in law of Raevena. He moved to Indy nine years ago, from Chicago. Michael’s gifts include, carpentry, cooking, and working with children, and heating & air. Her currently works with J.C.A.M.P. at Broadway. He teaches cooking class and he is the cook for the program. Crystal Jackson the sister of Raevena and spouse of Michael, has also lived in this neighborhood all of her life. She enjoy writing poetry and working with computers. She also works with J.C.A.M.P. She is the administrative assistant as well as the computer and poetry class instructor. Her concerns about the neighborhood are that there are too many abandoned houses in the area.

~ by secoradio on March 25, 2007.