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/. 

24 June 2021 – United States Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited Indianapolis on Thursday, June 24th, 2021. Walsh joined in on a roundtable discussion over Youth Workforce Developments in Marion County. The discussion focused on innovative efforts from EmployIndy and employer partners, including the Modern Apprenticeship program and Talent Bound, EmployIndy’s work-based learning initiative that ensures Indy youth and young adults actively pursue integrated academic and career experiences that empower them to follow career pathways that lead to economic mobility and future prosperity.

Three Modern Apprenticeship apprentices, one opportunity youth apprentice, and one former JAG student joined Secretary Walsh on an interactive tour of 16 Tech Innovation District, a technology hub in downtown Indianapolis. The tour included a walkthrough of the newly-opened AMP building, Machyne, and 1776 as well as the Maker’s Space where the aforementioned young professionals were able to have one-on-one discussions with Secretary Walsh.

Following the tour, EmployIndy leadership, Angie Carr Klitzsch, Marie Mackintosh, and Rodney Francis joined local employers, educators, and thought leaders: Jamie Wright, Roche Diagnostics; Scott Davison, OneAmerica; De’Niece Harrison-Hudson, OneAmerica, Mike Langellier, TechPoint; IPS Superintendent, Dr. Aleesia Johnson; Beth Rovazzini, B & W Plumbing; Chris Lowery, Ivy Tech Community College; PJ McGrew, Governor’s Workforce Cabinet; and Stephanie Bothun, Ascend Indiana, for the roundtable discussion with Secretary Walsh.

As the anticipation of summer break continues to grow for students and families across Central Indiana, many are looking for employment opportunities and ways to connect with local employers during the break. On June 1st, EmployIndy hosted a career fair at George Washington High School (GWHS) aimed at engaging young people with local employment opportunities. Nearly 180 high school students were served during the career fair, providing onsite networking for students with twelve community employers, including Waffle House, Walgreens, Ransburg YMCA, EmployIndy, Donatos Pizza, Crew Carwash, and Indy Parks and Recreation.

During the 4-hour event, EmployIndy staff also assisted 92 students in signing up for Mayor Joe Hogsett’s Youth Jobs Initiative, Project Indy, as well as conducted mock interviews with 45 students as a part of EmployIndy’s Talent Bound curriculum, entitled Talent Prep. Through Talent Prep, young people are prepared for real-world workplace experiences and given confidence as they navigate into the workforce. 

“We were encouraged to see a great employer turnout and for us to have the chance to support the students who selected ‘employment’ as their 3E option,” said Mechelle Polter, Director of Talent Bound. “It was great working with the George Washington faculty as well as being able to provide connections to summer employment opportunities for the younger students.” Through this and similar youth career fairs such as one that was hosted two weeks prior at GEO Academies, EmployIndy aims to promote job equity amongst the local youth population as well as connect community employers to a diverse group of students and prospective employees. 

Lastly, students at the June 1st event were also introduced to the Modern Apprenticeship program at GWHS. This competitive program provides students with the opportunity to complete their high school degree, earn industry-recognized certification, and gain college credits all while being paid over $13/hour and working in a high-demand industry at locally recognized employers, such as Roche Diagnostics and OneAmerica Bank.

Through current and future partnerships with Marion County schools, EmployIndy works to continue growing talent pipelines for local employers and connecting more young people to employment opportunities that prepare them for the workforce.

• You can learn more about EmployIndy’s efforts to connect young people to employment opportunities by visiting: https://employindy.org/wbl/