Neighborhood Associations Matter

Heat map image showing the progression of activity among Muncie's neighborhoods from 2014 to 2024

Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN) was created in 2014 to provide a bridge between the resources of Ball State University and the needs of Muncie’s neighborhoods. Over the last eleven years, the program has helped neighborhoods across the city develop strong neighborhood associations and that work is tracked annually using the “Spectrum of Development”. The Spectrum survey asks neighborhoods to self-report on a number of development factors like whether they have an elected Board of Directors, if they meet regularly, and how they communicate with their residents. This information allows BBN to develop trainings that match the needs of the neighborhoods to assist them in moving along the Spectrum if that is their collective wish.

Why do functioning neighborhood associations matter? Because they facilitate achieving common goals by providing a single, unified voice for the neighborhood. Associations improve quality of life by organizing and helping residents work towards preservation and improvements within the neighborhoods. And they build community by planning and holding social events that bring neighbors together.

If you would like to get involved in your area, but don’t know where to start, choose your neighborhood from this list to learn more, or contact your neighborhood leader.

Outdoor Sensory Paths

Outdoor Sensory Paths

The Third Grade Reading CAN would like to partner with neighborhoods across Muncie to install Outdoor Sensory Paths. These literacy landscapes are a fun way to engage children and families. The United Way is coordinating this work and has volunteers who can help install the paths – they need your help identifying the right place to paint them!

If you’d like to partner with the United Way on a Sensory Path in your neighborhood, please reach out to Ashley Breedlove at abreedlove@heartofIndiana.org.

Spring Cleanups

It’s time to clean! MSD is partnering with our neighborhoods this May to help clean up our streets and alleys. If your neighborhood is not hosting an event, please consider volunteering to help another neighborhood. Facebook events are linked when available.

May 3rd

Old West End – 7:45 AM | Meet at Clifton-Wallace Park

Industry – 7:45 AM | Meet in Heekin Park at corner of 9th & Penn

Thomas Park/Avondale – 7:45 AM | Meet at Thomas Park

South Central – 7:45 AM | Meet at the Community Garden on 7th St.

May 10th

McKinnley – 8:00 AM | Meet at the Daycare on Columbus Ave.

Riverside/Normal City – 7:45 AM | Meet at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Morningside/McCormick

Whitely – 8:00 AM | Meet at the Buley Center

May 17th

Southside – 7:45 AM | Meet at Frankie D’s Flea Market

East Central – 7:45 AM | Meet at the corner of Vine and Main

Updated list of Neighborhood Leaders for 2025

NLC Logo

We’ve updated our records and here’s our current list of Neighborhood Leaders for 2025. Congratulations to all of Muncie’s new neighborhood leaders and welcome back to everyone who is serving another term. We are grateful for all of you!

Anthony NorthsideLucas Pint
Blaine-SoutheastKeeta Edsall
East CentralBrian Shaw
GatewoodBill Pritchett
GilbertJoAnna Darda
GranvilleDustin Clark
Halteman VillageJP Hall
IndustryKat Carey
KenmoreKourtney McCauliff
LudingwoodJulie Meares
McKinleyBruce Rector
Minnetrista CentralZen Bishop
Morningside McCormickTami Harris
Old West EndBrad King
Riverside/Normal CityHeather Williams
South CentralBrandie Cook
SouthsideCourtney Marsh
Storer WoodsNancy Prater
Thomas Park – AvondaleDavid Robbins
WestbrierLynn Hale
Western WoodsAlexis Dishman
Westminster VillasJack Demaree
WestridgeNora Powell
WhitelyFrank Scott, President
WhitelyKen Hudson, Executive Director

*If you see any errors or omissions, please send an email to Heather Williams (hlwilliams@bsu.edu).

Spring into one of these awesome Ball State events this April!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Friday, April 4, 2025

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Monday, April 7, 2025

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Friday, April 11, 2025

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Monday, April 14, 2025

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Friday, April 18, 2025

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Monday, April 20, 2025

Monday, April 21, 2025

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Friday, April 25, 2025

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

NLC 2025-2026 Training Schedule

Two women speak to each other across a table at the 2023 IDEA Conference

EVERYONE is welcome. You don’t have to hold an official role in your neighborhood to attend. Anyone interested in getting involved is invited!

Thanks to funding provided by CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we have developed a training schedule for our Neighborhood Leadership Council / CenterPoint Scholar meetings that we hope will help build everyone’s leadership capacity. Here’s what you can look forward to over the next 12 months!

Tuesday, April 15 6-7 PM
The Importance of Neighborhoods
Tuesday, October 14 6-7 PM
CenterPoint Scholar Project Pitch
Tuesday, May 20 6-7 PM
Effective Communication – Listening with your Eyes
Tuesday, November 18 6-7 PM
Celebrating Lessons Learned
Tuesday, June 17 6-7 PM
How to Fund your Association’s Work
Tuesday, January 20 6-7 PM
Recruitment
Tuesday, July 15 7-9 PM
Neighborhoods Pool Party @ Tuhey
Tuesday, February 17 6-7 PM
Stakeholder Meet and Greet & CenterPoint Scholar Presentations
Tuesday, August 19 6-7 PM
Conflict Management
IDEA Conference – March 7 9 AM – 3 PM
Tuesday, September 16 6-7 PM
Resident Listening

Come hungry! We always provide dinner at the start of the training.

NLC Logo