A COLORFUL MURAL ON THE BACK OF THE FORMER SPRING HILL ELEMENTARY , NOW HOME TO COMMUNITY ACTION OF SOUTHERN INDIANA , DEPICTS THE CLAYSBURG COMMUNITY GARDEN .
possibility of applying for such funding from HUD , but she was told the grant was “ too big .”
She sees the need for a supermarket to open in Claysburg . She would like to see a library branch open in the neighborhood , and instead of vacant and dilapidated properties , she would like to see the beautification of her neighborhood and better lighting that would make residents feel safer . She wants to see more amenities for local children to enjoy .
“ What we need in this community is things for children to do ,” Moon said . “ We need adequate housing development . Look at the housing here — it ’ s been there since the 60s . Come through and build housing . You shouldn ’ t have to fill out a grant paper . Someone with the city or somewhere should ride through and say hey , we need to channel a million dollars into Claysburg .”
She doesn ’ t just want people “ to say what you ’ re going to do , but come to the neighborhood association and ask us what would we like to have done .”
“ We ’ ve never been asked ,” Moon said . “ When the school was taken away from us , we weren ’ t asked . I held meetings , but we weren ’ t asked .”
Pauline Shanklin , a member of the Claysburg Neighborhood Association , notes that “ unless you are a person of color , there ’ s no way that you ’ re ever going to comprehend ” the situation in Claysburg , saying “ you have to live it .”
Vaughn said there is a need for substantial change , and she is tired of Claysburg being a “ dumping ground for everything ” and being “ looked over ” in terms of investments .
" We ’ re bleeding , and when you ’ re bleeding , you put a Band-Aid on a bleed , but you don ’ t put a Band-Aid on until you clean it up ,” she said .
Moon said the neighborhood association will continue to fight for improvements to their community .
“ I WOULD LOVE TO SEE TAX RATES BE FED INTO THE COMMUNITY I LIVE IN TO BETTER THE COMMUNITY FOR THE FUTURE ,” MOON SAID .
“ I ’ m thinking about the babies that are here now and what will they have in another 10 years — is it going to continue to go down , or is someone going step up outside of this neighborhood association and stand up and do something about it ?”
2022 Diversity Magazine 13