Retreat Session Outcomes

Hosted at the Macleod Barn Abbey, New Harmony, IN

Date: February 7, 2024

Total Participants

Participant Demographics

We actively and intentionally engage people with diverse perspectives and experiences to ensure that ALL voices are heard in addressing the pressing needs of today and building a collective preferred vision for tomorrow. Demographic data are collected from participants and compared to publicly available data for the region to ensure the sample population accurately represents our community.

Hover over the graph icon in the top left corner of each section to compare VOICE data to public data.

 

Passions

In this exercise we asked participants what they are positive or passionate about. Diverse participants have many different passions, but there are common themes.

Click a word/phrase in the word cloud below to see the direct quotes of participants’ passions connected to that theme.

Carry Forward

In this exercise we asked participants, considering our region’s history, what aspects they would want to carry forward into a preferred future.

Click a word/phrase in the word cloud below to see the direct quotes from participants connected to that theme.

Leave Behind

In this exercise we asked participants, considering our region’s history, what aspects they would want to leave behind (NOT carry forward) into a preferred future.

Click a word/phrase in the word cloud below to see the direct quotes from participants connected to that theme.

Visions

In this exercise we had participants draw in a group and then individually write and speak their vision of a preferred future for our region. These themes are summaries of what was said. 

Use the filter button to view data by different demographic groups. Select a major theme in the visual below to see the minor themes included in it and the direct quotes from participants connected to that theme. 

Group 1 Visions

    • sidewalk along John street connecting St Joe and lynch, better bus service
    • community support on EAAM, whole community encourages all people to visit and learn the true history of racism in america, reconciling and repairing the harm done
    • more outdoor activities (parks, fishing, kayak)
    • sidewalks to promote walking
    • clean rivers and streams
    • infrastructure improvements
    • downtown housing
    • affordable transportation
    • collective engagement
    • equal and distributed resources
    • intentionality to greatness for everyone
    • green spaces for everyone, including dogs
    • homes for the elderly- loved, not forgotten
    • acceptance for all – united, respected and understood, diverse; safe community for families
    • access to fresh food, safe + free Child Care, public recycling
    • gathering spaces for community events
    • every person has access to free basic healthcare/affordable healthcare, affordable housing for everyone
    • fully staffed and fairly paid establishments to work towards eliminating unemployment
    • parks accessible to everyone
    • transportation for all kids to go to schools and activities
    • fairness and safety, respect of law enforcement, elimination of bias, elimination of drug abuse and domestic violence, politics quit dividing people and communities
    • access to continued education for everybody
    • get rid of all the power plants that use coal, fill the large empty warehouses with software, healthcare technology, and renewable energy companies, replace combined sewer systems which will make our waterways clean and full of fish and recreation, add an outdoor concert venue, evansville is no longer known for plastic and pollution
    • we keep our top talent and attract talent from outside the region due to our clean parks and great tech jobs

     

     

    Group 2 Visions

      • better housing, transportation
      • children playing outside
      • helping the elderly
      • more green space, better downtown (event are at river, bring more events to main street), hayney’s corner is safer and better all around
      • affordable health care
      • stronger community, better sense of community, community involvement
      • access to healthcare and education is equal for everyone, affordable higher education
      • all are welcome regardless of race, religion, or identity
      • more urban integrated green spaces
      • better education systems
      • update infrastructure, better public transportation, high speed rail to other nearby major cities
      • more jobs and better job opportunities
      • stronger healthcare system (preferably free)
      • internet as a public utility
      • cultural growth

      Group 3 Visions

        • people have equality in all life essentials-in life, in opportunity, in health
        • improve our roads and sidewalks
        • all public schools provide transportation for kids everywhere, school resource officers in all our schools, the availability to a proper and higher education
        • affordable healthcare and housing for everyone
        • neighborhood based policing initiatives thriving, community parks that are kept in good repair, more facilities for recycling
        • treatment facilities for individuals with mental health and addiction issues
        • affordable wages for everyone
        • green spaces are all over the place and include local wildflowers to act as pollinator habitats. Fruit trees are plentiful, and free to access
        • renewable energy is abundant
        • live music exists all over in public spaces
        • literacy – reading, digital, health, language, media, finance, 3rd places (libraries, churches, parks, green space, community gardens, walkable neighborhoods)
        • through schools, collaboration of higher education, public health, financial institutions, and library collaboration

         

        Group 4 Visions

        • bicycle trails on every main street that connect to a main loop around each community, more parks and green space, programs to keep streets and property free of trash
        • families connecting without electronics
        • the youth will have discipline and skills to take important jobs, young men will be able to provide for their families without breaking the law, more future plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.
        • communication will be better between black communities and law enforcement
        • more local grocery stores
        • depending more on each other
        • community events, neighborhood gardens, no more stop lights
        • less work hours, more family focus
        • local free healthcare through learning clinics
        • alternate energy
        • connected spaces using quality public transportation
        • better education teaching elf sustainability and financial literacy
        • healthcare improvements and access, affordable and accessible housing
        • third places, better parks, more fun
        • infrastructure reform of transportation
        • school district rezoning
        • top-down city leadership diversity
        • access to inexpensive fresh produce and food
        • communal space, human library
        • education available to everyone always
        • homegrown food, climate control
        • levitt, #EVV40
        • available and affordable Child Care
        • religious collaboration
        • experiences for families
        • nature spaces for play, lively 3rd spaces – main street/franklin/north main filled wil local business with full shops and patios, walkable cities
        • public transportation that all demographics use because they’re convenient, direct flights around the country/world, bike paths that are safe and connect the city
        • youth programs to help feed passions
        • hospitals, schools, and businesses use a local food system
        • robust recycling, compost system for food waste
        • social services that help without judgement or bias
        • improving education system: updating schools with the latest technology, improving teacher pay, increasing family involvement, pre-k program that promotes school readiness, family activity built around school readiness goals, building a strong program that strengthens social emotional skills + resistence