Having the opportunity to gain practical resume building skills and interviewing experience can help give young people the head start they need to be successful as they enter our ever-changing workforce landscape. One way which EmployIndy helps guide these efforts is through Talent Bound, our vehicle to provide students in Marion County with access to authentic work-based learning experiences. 

On Wednesday, July 7th, EmployIndy had the opportunity to partner with and host TeenWorks, whose mission is to empower teens to achieve excellence in community, college & career. TeenWorks brought 11 students to EmployIndy’s downtown office where they participated in Talent Bound “Talent Prep” activities that included resume-building exercises, mock-interviews as well as learning more about Project Indy and the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP).

“We’re happy that TeenWorks invited us to be a part of this event and we enjoyed the opportunity to expose these students to Talent Bound opportunities, while also helping them prepare their resume and enhance their interview skills,” Said Matt Simpson, Talent Bound Manager, High Schools. During the event, each student participated in at least two mock interviews with EmployIndy staff as well as worked closely with EmployIndy staff to learn practical ways in which they can build a resume that stands out.

To learn more about how Talent Bound partners with local organizations to help prepare Marion County young people to enter the future workforce, visit: www.talentbound.org.

On Thursday, July 1st, YES Indy staff and community members gathered at WorkOne Indy to celebrate 12 young people who recently completed the YES Indy Power Huddle. The Power Huddle program is a two-week intensive training in which mentors encourage individuals to move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and connect them with local employment opportunities.

“I really enjoyed the Power Huddle. It taught all of us the importance of discipline and how that’s a key factor in achieving your goals and ambitions,” said Jacobey Echols, Power Huddle completer and one of 12 young people who participated in cohorts 22 and 23. 

In Central Indiana, there are over 30,000 Opportunity Youth or young adults, ages 16 – 24, who have disengaged from secondary education, or graduated but disconnected from the workforce. With the gap of middle-skills jobs that currently exist in our workforce ecosystem as identified by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), these young adults present an opportunity to enhance the personal growth, health, and success of Indy’s young people, as well as our community’s overall longevity and well-being.

In efforts to re-engage Marion County’s Opportunity Youth and create a positive trajectory for these young people, EmployIndy launched YES Indy REC in 2018. The Power Huddle, a forward-facing program of YES Indy REC, supports overall YES Indy efforts by teaching young people ways in which they can change their future trajectory as well as engage in a variety of employability skills that will help them take those next steps. As a part of each cohort, completers of the Power Huddle walk away with Job Ready Indy badges #1 Mindsets and #4 Social Skills.

Please join us in congratulating Power Huddle cohorts 22 and 23 on their achievement! 

• Davionne Banks
• Matthew Chambers
• Jacobey Echols
• Daymon Jones
• Bomani Marsh
• Dekoven Reed
• Jacarius Smith
• Kassandra Green
• Travelle Walker
• Nashawn Holland
• Christopher Johnson
• Tyrelle Walker 

EmployIndy would like to extend a special thank you to Go Consulting LLC for their dedicated work in facilitating current and previous Power Huddle cohorts. Learn more about the YES Indy Power Huddle by visiting yesindy317.org.

JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Indy programs held their Senior Send-Off at Garfield Park on Tuesday, June 22nd. This annual event recognizes JAG program seniors as they transition to furthering their education  or entering the workforce. The celebration included games, food, a raffle with prizes, and a catered snow-cone truck, all with the opportunity to celebrate with fellowship. 

EmployIndy recognized both students and employers with awards for their work throughout the program. Rosalea Rodrigues, a 2021 JAG graduate from Arsenal Technical High School, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Jessica Brown Memorial JAG Award. EmployIndy initiated this award four years ago to honor beloved colleague, Jessica Brown, who passed on April 18, 2018. Recipients of this award are students who exemplify Jessica’s selfless personality and passion for volunteering. Rodrigues’s commitment to giving back shined as a true testament to the compassion and generosity Jessica brought to our community. 

In addition, Beatrice Beverly with Stop the Violence Indy was honored with the JAG Employer Engagement Award of Excellence for her outstanding partnership with our local JAG programs. Further employer partners such as the Marriott, Partners Personnel, and Chic-fil-A contributed prizes and food along with  job opportunities for JAG’s class of 2021. For more information on JAG Indy programs, visit https://employindy.org/youth-services/jag/.