City Services Available to Neighborhood Groups

City Programs Available to Neighborhood Groups

There are a number of resources available to neighborhoods within the City of Valparaiso that can help your group enhance the quality of life for your neighbors and strengthen your neighborhood association. The Community Engagement Department is your partner to connect you with these resources. Contact us at 219-462-1161 to learn more or discuss your ideas.

Neighborhood Toolkit

The Neighborhood Toolkit is a resource for your neighborhood group that may be just forming or has been established for some time. This toolkit offers a variety of information on how to organize your neighborhood, run an effective meeting, host a block party, navigate your local government and more.

Neighborhood Directory

Determine a key contact to sign up your neighborhood group to be listed on our city-wide Neighborhood Directory. The city can also use this information to send you updates on neighborhood programs, services and opportunities! Learn more and sign up online.

Neighborhood Walks

As weather allows, the City hosts regular Neighborhood Walks to connect with neighborhoods and neighbors. The Walks provide an opportunity for the mayor and members of the city’s leadership team to learn more about the neighborhoods and respond to resident needs.

Quarterly Neighborhood Workshops

Representatives from neighborhood groups are invited to attend quarterly “Neighborhood Workshops” to connect, learn from each other and become more familiar with available neighborhood services. Topics in the past have included updates on the Neighborhood Grant Program and Economic Development Initiatives, Code Enforcement 101 and more. These may be hosted virtually or in person. Previous Neighborhood Workshop summaries are available online.

Meeting and Group Facilitation Support

Is your neighborhood group thinking about goal setting, next steps or a vision plan for the future? City staff can facilitate with your neighborhood group to help guide the conversation in a productive, positive and meaningful way. Contact us to discuss what would work best for your group!

Good Neighbor Recognition Program

The Good Neighbor Recognition Program was launched in 2020 to promote neighborhood involvement and community service. The Good Neighbor Award is an annual recognition, highlighting an individual who has demonstrated exemplary commitment to their neighborhood and the greater community through volunteerism and service. The City will seek nominations in the fall of each year and nominations can come from individuals or on behalf of neighborhood groups.

The Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program, funded by the Redevelopment Commission, gives neighborhood groups an opportunity to have direct input and influence into the improvement of Valparaiso’s neighborhoods. Grants are available to neighborhood groups within the city limits with the goal of bringing neighborhoods together, encouraging partnerships between the city and neighborhoods and funding projects that provide community-wide benefit.

This annual program started in 2018 and continues to grow. To date, more than $200,000 have been awarded to 38 neighborhood improvement grant projects This grant opportunity shows residents that the city government values their input, wants to know where problems exist and provides financial assistance. Thank you for this opportunity!” -Chandana Point Neighborhood

throughout the city. To view a catalog of all projects that have been completed through the program, visit our website .

The simple application is typically available in March, along with detailed guidelines and a webinar. Have an idea you want to discuss for a neighborhood grant? Contact us! Looking for extra inspiration? Check out our guide, 20 Ideas to Inspire Your Neighborhood.