When Patrick Evans first connected with Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC) in August of 2024 he had recently been released from prison and had never held a job before. But with the support of EMCC and EmployIndy, Patrick found a path forward—one paved with opportunity, training, and unwavering support.   

At EMCC Patrick enrolled in a work readiness program where he honed his interviewing, resume, and professional skills. He showed up every day, committed to learning and building a foundation for his future. After completing the program, he even took an additional customer service class to further prepare for employment.   

Having gained important employability skills and looking to take that next step towards a career, EmployIndy’s Talent Bound Manager, Dwayne Donigan, coordinated a fully funded four-week paid internship work exchange (WEX) opportunity for Patrick at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. His training in customer service and the skills developed at EMCC made him a strong candidate, and Gleaners took notice. 

“Patrick showed up to the interview right on time, and he came prepared with all his certifications and an updated resume. He was not only professional and polite but also greeted us with a friendly smile,” said Stephanie Dodds, Recruiting and Retentions Specialist for Gleaners. “We were really impressed with him throughout the interview process.” 

Fast forward and Patrick has continued his remarkable stride. Now past his 90-day mark, his supervisors at Gleaners have had nothing but praise for his attitude and performance. He has transitioned from a WEX participant to a valued employee in their warehouse shipping department. “Patrick has become a fantastic addition to our team, and we couldn’t be happier with his performance so far, “said Dodds. And after receiving an outstanding achievement award from EMCC, he had the privilege of delivering a heartfelt speech to his peers at EMCC over the holidays. 

A community-based organization (CBO) in YES Indy’s network of CBOs, EMCC’s support extended beyond training. When Patrick faced car troubles, they went above and beyond, waking up early to ensure he could get to work on time. Now, they are assisting him in securing a reliable personal vehicle, further solidifying his independence and stability.   

Gleaners, inspired by Patrick’s growth and professionalism, is eager to collaborate with EmployIndy again in the future as they seek to recruit and fulfill their talent needs.   

In 2024, 10,923 clients and participants enrolled in coaching and training through EmployIndy programs and initiatives, with 275 certifications earned in advanced trainings across the YES Indy network. If you’re an employer looking to build or diversify your talent pipeline, reach out to [email protected] to get connected. 

When adults struggle to find the next step in their careers or feel stuck in their professional journey, adult education providers and community-based organizations can play a vital role in providing necessary education and training to help them advance. Often, this is made possible through the funding and support provided by intermediaries, like EmployIndy, who serve as strategic workforce development leaders, funders, and conveners in their regions.  

For MSD of Warren Township’s Program of Adult and Continuing Education, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding provided by EmployIndy helped them connect Vincent Oliver to a training opportunity that’s provided him with growth and stability. Looking for steadier employment and having an interest in construction, Oliver enrolled in the BY Construction Training program located at Warren’s Adult and Continuing Education center, earning his OSHA 10 Certification and NCCER Core Credential. Not long after completing the program, he was hired by HG Metals where he’s training to be a welder. 

As a workforce intermediary, EmployIndy invests over $20 million in public, private, and philanthropic funds annually to support our partners and create economic opportunity and remove barriers to employment for both youth and adults, like Oliver.  When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, workforce intermediaries across the country were tasked with helping distribute financial aid that would “extend a lifeline to the unemployed” through bolstered reemployment, education, and training efforts. In addition to using ARPA funding to support a cohort of local adult education providers, like MSD of Warren Township, EmployIndy also began hosting a community of practice to provide guidance as these providers aimed to keep their programs and services going amid a national crisis. To date, these providers have used EmployIndy’s guidance and ARPA funding to help 594 Indy adults earn HSE diplomas, 918 earn training credentials, and 1,543 earn job placements. 

Do you have stories of impact because of EmployIndy’s support? We would love to share them with our workforce partners. Send us a note at [email protected] to start the conversation. 

Kiara Reed and Anthony Parish, participants of EmployIndy’s YouthBuild Indy program, were selected to join more than 40 other young leaders in Washington, D.C. at the 36th Annual YouthBuild AmeriCorps Conference of Young Leaders (CoYL) in late 2024. 

Through CoYL, YouthBuild AmeriCorps students are brought together to fully experience the breadth and impact of YouthBuild’s global movement rooted in leadership, service, education and job skills training. Participants further develop their leadership skills and network with current and former students from YouthBuild programs across the country.  

YouthBuild Indy, one of 247 local programs across the U.S. that partner with opportunity youth—young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor employed— offers young people the opportunity to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. As a part of EmployIndy’s Coaching + Training efforts, YouthBuild Indy provides the personalized guidance and support that is essential to helping individuals choose the right education or training paths and persist through to completion. Last program year, 10,923 clients and participants enrolled in coaching and training through EmployIndy programs and initiatives, with 275 certifications earned in advanced trainings. 

“As businesses grow and the demand for workers with specialized skills and postsecondary training increases, it’s inspiring to see the hard work of young people like Kiara and Anthony as they obtain certifications that will help them succeed in a rapidly changing economy,” says Marie Mackintosh, President + CEO of EmployIndy. “We’re honored to have them representing YouthBuild Indy in our nation’s capital.” 

Throughout the three-day conference, participants explored this year’s theme, “Lead Well. Be Well.”, as they broadened their skills and deepened their knowledge to create positive change in their communities. Having overcame personal challenges and displayed leadership in their time in the program, including Parish receiving an outstanding leadership through service award from YouthBuild national, both Reed and Parish were chosen by their fellow students and YouthBuild Indy staff to participate in CoYL.  

“When YouthBuild students experience the breadth and depth of the entire YouthBuild movement outside of their individual local programs, they see yet another example of their collective strength and potential to change the world,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild Global. “By making these connections during our Conference of Young Leaders, context is gathered, and lifelong friendships are made. These young leaders bring a larger worldview, and even greater purpose, back to their communities.” 

YouthBuild champions opportunity youth as they achieve their ambitions and reach their full potential. In YouthBuild programs around the world, young people who are out of school and out of work reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become leaders in their communities through service and civic engagement. These young people are in greatest need of our support, and they are our greatest source of untapped potential to create more equitable economic growth and transform the world. In YouthBuild’s environment of love, respect, high expectations, belonging, and agency, young people overcome barriers and build long-term professional and personal success. 

Learn more about YouthBuild Indy and register for upcoming program opportunities at www.youthbuildindy.org. 

“I want her to be able to follow in my footsteps and know they will lead her to greatness.”

As Trayveonshay (Tray) Stone, 21, stood watching his fellow cohort participants celebrate, he held his one-year old daughter. When asked how he was feeling, his response was simple: happy.

Tray and eleven other Indy youth were celebrating their recent completion of YouthBuild Indy’s Construction Training program. Led by EmployIndy and in partnership with AmeriCorps, YouthBuild Indy offers participants the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency (HSE), a NCCER construction certification, an AmeriCorps education award, participate in a 3-week work experience (WEX), and be placed in a job, all while getting paid to learn.

Tray shared how he struggled a lot in high school. It was difficult for him to learn in a traditional classroom setting and even when he asked for help, he still felt left behind. Like all of us, he just wanted to fit in. Sports offered a chance for him to connect with others, but when that didn’t work out, he started skipping school and eventually, stopped going altogether.

There are roughly 15,800 youth in Marion County, who are disconnected from education and employment. Like Tray, some struggled in school. Other reasons for disconnection include inadequate access to job training, homelessness, involvement with the justice system, or lack of familial support.

When he heard about YouthBuild Indy through his grandmother’s church, he reached out and got connected.

“I saw a career and an opportunity to make money. I felt like this could be the start of me finding my path,” Tray said. He shared about earning his Indiana HSE, as a part of the program, through Marian University. He went on to express his gratitude for several intangibles he’s taken away from the experience as well, such as learning patience, better communication skills, and dealing with his personal trauma. As a part of the 18-week program, participants also complete the YES Indy Power Huddle, a two-week job readiness experience with a focus on moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

Tray is currently applying the skills he learned in the program at Godby Hearth & Home, working as an installer. Looking to the future, he hopes to stay in construction and focus on carpentry, which is something he really enjoys doing. No matter where his career path takes him, he feels this experience has helped him “learn how to be a better dad, a better son, a better brother, and a better spouse.”

To learn more about YouthBuild Indy and get connected to future opportunities, visit www.youthbuildindy.org.

“We need passionate leaders to advocate on their behalf when they can’t.”

In October, Essence Gray and Josh Morrow had the opportunity to do that very thing. Serving as policy liaisons on the National Youth Employment Coalition’s (NYEC) Youth Advisory Council (YAC), both Indy natives had the chance to travel to Washington D.C. to participate in NYEC’s inaugural Youth Days, an annual event that fosters education and empowerment both of young people and the practitioners who serve them. 

“In many ways, Essence’s educational and career journey, with its starts and stops, highs and lows, many due to life happenings and system barriers, is indicative of so many of the Opportunity Youth (OY) we encounter,” said Rev Rodney Francis, Executive Vice President, Workforce Solutions, at EmployIndy. “She has not given up on her dreams and instead persisted. In this way, she’s a leader among her peers.” Through YES Indy, EmployIndy’s Youth Employment System, Gray completed the Power Huddle in April of 2020, a two-week job readiness experience, which helped her develop a growth mindset and an appetite for making positive changes in herself and for her fellow youth. Despite having struggled with homelessness, involvement with the justice system, grief from the tragic loss of loved ones, and system barriers, Gray has remained focused and has taken advantage of the employment training and services offered to her by EmployIndy and its community-based partner organizations, even securing an internship with EmployIndy’s Strategy and Research team at the end of 2020.

While in Washington D.C. for Youth Days, she attended policy meetings, presented at a breakout session on the current challenges for today’s youth, as well as spoke about youth gun violence in Indianapolis and how it has affected her and her community. When asked about other highlights from the trip, she was quick to share that meeting Congressman Andre Carson was a moment she says she will always remember. “His staff was very Hoosier and welcoming, which made me feel like I was back at home,” she said. Walking into his office, Congressman Carson told Gray to have a seat at his desk and that one day “it may very well be your seat.” She spoke with him about the work she would like to do and how he can better help the youth in Indianapolis. 

“These past few months since returning from Washington D.C., I’ve started a family strengthening class that is helping me to better myself for the ones around me. I’m still doing youth leadership advocacy work but have also tapped into my management skills and now help manage local music artists, as a part of work to help co-found a music record label,” said Gray. 

For Josh Morrow, who has also experienced hardships and struggles with system barriers similar to Gray, it’s about forward movement and continued progress. “Right now, I’m just learning and taking every opportunity,” said Morrow, who first became involved with NYEC through the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE), a YES Indy partner organization and referral source for young people looking for career and employment support. “I believe I bring lived experiences and a deep understanding of the skilled trade employment market.” Morrow added about his time thus far serving on the Youth Advisory Council. Since visiting Washington D.C. for Youth Days, Morrow has continued to focus on youth development and employment advocacy, working as a mentor recruiter for Trusted Mentors.

Gray’s and Morrow’s determination toward an upward trajectory underscores the importance that their voices have had and will continue to play at the national level, where critical youth-focused policies are shaped. And as they continue to advocate for themselves and others who are facing barriers to education and employment here in Indianapolis, they will hold their experiences in our nation’s capital close.

Young people, ages 16-24, who are interested in getting connected to barrier-busting support as well as connection to education, training, and job opportunities, are encouraged to visit https://yesindy317.org. 

While the record unemployment numbers seen during the COVID-19 global health crisis are in the rearview mirror, there are still hindrances for residents in Marion County when seeking out employment, including connecting with hiring employers and finding the personalized support needed to take advantage of new employment opportunities.  

EmployIndy is excited to announce that our Talent Connection team has connected over 500 individuals in Marion County to good and promising jobs through Rapid Re-Employment Response, an effort coordinated in late 2020 by the Regional Workforce Partnership (RWP) to assist the residents of Indianapolis in getting back to work as quickly and safely as possible.    

Utilizing the Ascend Network, an online technology platform from Ascend Indiana, Rapid Re-Employment Response pairs job seekers with a skilled recruiter who, through personalized support, works to connect them to career opportunities and resources based on their interests and skills.  

“The success of our Talent Connection services, and Rapid Re-Employment Response, has been greatly bolstered by the work from our recruitment managers,” said Tiffani McLaurin, Director, Talent Network. “The human element that’s provided to job seekers is crucial in helping them have the confidence and perseverance needed as they seek out new opportunities.” 

So far in 2023, Rapid Re-Employment Response has connected 133 individuals to jobs in Marion County. Additionally, expanded outreach and marketing strategies have led to a 282% increase in monthly active users compared to active users seen in 2022.   

As the workforce development board for Marion County and an intermediary, EmployIndy serves both workers seeking employment and businesses seeking talent. Individualized connection services, like Rapid Re-Employment Response, create efficiencies in the job-placement process, helping ensure the best fit for both parties.  

In program year 2022, EmployIndy helped placed a total of over 2,100 individuals in good and promising jobs as a result of direct intervention. Through our Wednesdays @ WorkOne weekly hiring events that take place at our full-service location on the city’s Eastside, 1,084 individuals were connected to hiring employers where they went on to obtain employment. And through our Youth Employment System, YES Indy, 383 youth, ages 16-24, were placed in jobs after completing various industry trainings or work experiences. These larger talent connection efforts help serve both workers seeking employment and businesses seeking talent, resulting in a streamlined job-placement process that lands more Marion County workers in good and promising jobs. 

Job seekers looking to find personalized support for their employment search are encouraged to learn more and get started today at www.employindy.org/rapidreemploymentresponse.