EmployIndy is opening a new YES Indy Re-Engagement Center (REC) at Watkins Park Community Center on the Westside of Indianapolis on January 30th. This REC location will replicate the YES Indy REC at the Finish Line Boys and Girls Club. Since its opening in 2018, the Far Eastside location has served over 2,000 Opportunity Youth and acted as an access point for re-engagement services. Over 30,000 Opportunity Youth in Central Indiana, young adults ages 16 to 24, are either disengaged from education, the workforce, or both.

The Watkins Park REC will offer free open gym basketball as a hook to engage Opportunity Youth while creating a safe space to socialize and participate in recreation. REC staff are able to create trusting and meaningful relationships with participants, and it is through these relationships that staff have the opportunity to direct participants to additional career services. With a YES Indy site neighboring the Watkins REC location, open gym participants will have convenient access to YES Indy services at Flanner House, a community-based service partner. 

“In collaboration with the City Parks and Recreation Department, Training for Success, Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and Flanner House, EmployIndy is thrilled to open the YES Indy REC at Watkins Park,” says Reverend Rodney T. Francis, Chief Programs Officer at EmployIndy. “This second REC location means that we are able to expand our education, workforce services, and job opportunities to more young people looking for a career path in the city's Near Westside.” 

YES Indy RECs bring together a network of community-based organizations as career service providers offering career navigation, including work experiences, access to training and education, and wrap-around services. After joining the REC, participants are encouraged to participate in the Power Huddle, an empowerment experience in which Opportunity Youth meet with an instructor to build confidence and employability skills. Participants engage with mentors and earn some of the Job Ready Indy badges, expanding their employability skills and self-awareness. The Power Huddle and Job Ready Indy training readies these young people to pursue career experiences or education and includes two years of follow-up services and check-ins with mentors.

Open Gyms hours of operation are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM, during the summer hours will switch to the evening and will be posted at the gym. An open house for sponsors, staff, and participants is planned for Saturday, April 22nd.

On Wednesday, November 2nd, 72 JAG students gathered at the Indianapolis National Guard Armory for the 2022 Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Indy Leadership Development Conference (LDC), supported by over 30 staff members from JAG, EmployIndy and the National Guard. JAG is a state-affiliated program based on a national model, available to juniors and seniors in high school that teaches resume building, career exploration and creates available tools for students to explore different curricula. The LDC is an event for JAG Chapter Officers to attend Career Association training, serving as a hands-on method to display and acquire team building, leadership and employability skills. The LDC also offers students a broader perspective on their involvement in the Regional, State, and National network of JAG programs and partners.

The LDC provided JAG students with the opportunity to engage in teachings and activities to build their teamwork and independent skills together. “It was nice meeting new people and, overall, my favorite part about the LDC was being an emcee and being able to enjoy the activities!” said Decatur Central High School Senior Eleny, who emceed the event.

Every year JAG allows 4 students from each of the 19 JAG Indy programs to attend the LDC and this year JAG students were tested with physical, mental, and problem-solving tasks throughout the event. “Throughout the day, you will be challenged to think outside the box, work as a team, meet new people and expand your comfort zone,” said Crispus Attucks JAG alum James Vann-Mincy, who also emceed the event.

During the event, JAG students were honored with inspiring words from key guest speaker House District 98, Representative Robin Shackleford who spoke about her journey and being a leader of change.

Thank you to our wonderful JAG sponsors, The Indiana National Guard, EmployIndy, The Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and Transition Resources Corporation, for helping make this event possible.

You can learn more about Jobs for America’s Graduates in Marion County by visiting: https://employindy.org/youth-services/jag.