INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, Executive Director John Franklin Hay announced his retirement from Near East Area Renewal (NEAR). The organization’s community development initiatives over the past 11 years have helped reshape the east side in many ways. The NEAR Board of Directors will immediately begin a search for a new Executive Director and Hay will continue in his role until the next leader is on board.
Hay has served as Executive Director of four local nonprofits over four decades, including Shepherd Community Center, John Boner Neighborhood Centers, Horizon House, and NEAR.
With Hay’s leadership, NEAR has developed over 100 single-family homes for low-moderate income homeownership, developed the Minnie Hartmann Center, created the Sherman Park Plan, and worked for significant economic development and infrastructure investment on the Near Eastside.
