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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! 

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/. 

 

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.

 

In a room full of cheering automotive service technicians and career navigators, three young menwere given the opportunity to put pen to paper and take a big step in their professional journey. There was a palpable sense of excitement as well as relief as Jeff Klein, Service and Parts Director at Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Indianapolis, handed them their offer letters. After seeing these young men put in the hard work and effort over the past week, Klein and his team offered encouragement, wisdom and importantly, a chance to join their team. 

These three young men, along with several students participating at Ed Martin Buick GMC, each completed a weeklong Automotive Service Technician Training through YES Indy. These Industry Trainings provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a specific industry, build a foundation and work towards earning an employment offer. Since July 2020, roughly 45 individuals have completed one of the four Industry Trainings regularly offered by YES Indy: Automotive Service Technician Training, Construction Level-1 Generalist Training, Salesforce Administrator Training and Logistics Warehouse Associate Training.

“I loved it. I learned how to change oil, tires, brakes, and filters. My tech was good at answering my questions and I learned a lot.” said Marcus Lewis, a YES Indy participant who spent his time training at Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

“We’re very excited about what they’ve learned with us.” Said Kathy Cameron, Director of Fixed Operations at Ed Martin Buick GMC. YES Indy partners Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Ed Martin Buick GMC, both located on Indy’s North side, are passionate about providing young people with the opportunity to explore new career fields and better themselves. “Tommie worked with two different automotive techs, with one being a GM World Class tech. Not many achieve that level.” Continued Cameron as she stood smiling next to Tommie, who had impressed during his week of training at Ed Martin Buick GMC. Thanks to his hard work and diligence, Tommie also received an offer of employment after completing his Industry Training.

Through a partnership between YES Indy, Flanner House of Indianapolis, Marian University and Nine13sports, participants not only had the opportunity to join the Automotive Service Technician Training, but also received several weeks of job readiness training, education support and career navigation through Flanner House programming. “Their growth in such a quick time frame is amazing. It’s wonderful to be able to put together a program where they can explore a new career field and make it into something that can sustain them for life.” Said Sibeko Jywanza, Director of Food Justice for Flanner House of Indianapolis.

Through the YES Indy Power Huddle, young persons are provided the tools to develop important employability and life skills as well as earn two Job Ready Indy badges: Mindsets and Social Skills. Both the YES Indy Power Huddle and YES Indy Industry Trainings are available for Marion County youth ages 16 – 24 who are not attending high school or college.

Twenty-six students throughout Central Indiana sign a certificate of acceptance as they begin their apprenticeship journey

Event recording
INDIANAPOLIS (May 15, 2021) – This morning at Ben Davis High School, 26 Central Indiana high school sophomores signed the Modern Apprenticeship certificate of acceptance to work as apprentices for 16 local employer partners*, piloting the first-ever cohort of EmployIndy’s Central Indiana youth apprenticeship program, Modern Apprenticeship. Of the 100+ students that expressed interest, these 26 apprentices were chosen among their peers to participate in Modern Apprenticeship, a two- to three-year paid experience launched in coordination with Ascend Indiana in Fall 2020. EmployIndy, Marion County’s workforce development board, and Ascend Indiana, the talent and workforce development initiative of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), actively support the apprentices, employers, and general programmatic outcomes for Modern Apprenticeship.

Click to see recording from event.

For the apprentices, the journey will officially kick off this summer as they attend a bootcamp to develop their employability skills and start their jobs at their new employers. Beginning their junior year of high school, apprentices will split their time between the classroom and the workplace. By the end of the experience, they will have obtained not only a high school diploma and invaluable social capital, they will also earn industry-recognized credentials and transferable college credits.

“The Modern Apprenticeship opportunity is an excellent example of K-12, higher education, and industry partners strategically working together to help Hoosier students maximize their success,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Student-centered, future-focused partnerships like this are essential to helping students access quality work-based learning and earn postsecondary credentials while they’re still in high school.”

Today, at the inaugural Modern Apprenticeship Signing Day, both apprentices and employers signed a formal certificate of acceptance, signifying the beginning of their journey together. As part of this commitment, the employer will mentor and support the student as they navigate an in-demand role within the organization. Through their participation in Modern Apprenticeship, these employers demonstrate their commitment to being co-producers of talent alongside education partners.

“We’re excited to witness this program’s progress and evolution during its pilot year,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “The City of Indianapolis is proud to be part of the first cohort of employers to hire an apprentice who, beginning this summer, will work part-time as a member of our staff.”

As employer demand for highly-skilled talent continues to grow, it is necessary to establish a system of career-connected learning that will create equitable opportunities for all Indianapolis students. EmployIndy and Ascend have partnered with regional and national career readiness initiatives to pilot a program that provides students with quality, integrated work experiences combined with classroom learning that will prepare young people for a successful transition to college and jobs of the future.

“As the economy continues to evolve due to automation and globalization, it is increasingly critical to ensure all students in Indianapolis have access to education and training that align with changing employer demand.” said Jason Kloth, president and CEO, Ascend Indiana. “Modern Apprenticeship is a responsive model that can be expanded to create work-based learning opportunities for youth across the state.”

Ascend Indiana and EmployIndy are continuing to partner closely to grow the program, increasing engaged schools, apprentices, and employer partners as they strategize for the 2022 cohort.

“EmployIndy is excited to celebrate our inaugural class of apprentices today,” said Marie Mackintosh, chief strategy officer, EmployIndy. “Our employer partners are thrilled to welcome the students into the workplace where they will add value while building skills on the job. As our economy continues to recover and demand for talent increases, we look forward to scaling the Modern Apprenticeship program in Central Indiana and creating more real-world experiences that benefit students, employers, and our community.”

Congratulations to the first cohort of Modern Apprenticeship students:

*Participating Employers: AES Indiana, Ascend Indiana, Ascension St. Vincent, City of Indianapolis, EmployIndy, Katz Sapper & Miller, Indianapolis Airport Authority, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Indy Chamber, Ivy Tech Community College, OneAmerica, Pepper Construction, Roche Diagnostics, Skillful Indiana, TechPoint, and The Heritage Group

Participating Indianapolis-area Township School Districts and Charter Schools: Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Phalen Leadership Academy, Pike High School, Victory College Prep, Washington Township, and Wayne Township

To learn more about Modern Apprenticeship (MAP), visit www.indymodernapprenticeship.com.

The article was originally published on nyec.org.

By Rashaun Bennett and Thomas Showalter | April 30, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic shows signs of abating in the United States, but other crises remain. Youth unemployment remains nearly double the overall unemployment rate (March 2021 11.1% vs. the overall rate of 6%), and the triple pandemic has had devastating effects on the mental health of young people (and the adults who work with them).

Today NYEC is releasing a report that details how several youth workforce agencies approached integrating three approaches that are informed by the science of adolescent brain development: executive skill development (ES), positive youth development (PYD), and trauma-informed care (TIC), collectively referred to as EPT approaches. These approaches are defined as EPT:

The Translating Adolescent Brain Science (TABS) project engaged six community-based organizations (CBOs) in Indianapolis and Phoenix. Intermediaries in each city –EmployIndy and Opportunities for Youth, respectively – supported their work. Pathways Consultants provided access to coaches for staff of each organization. The project began in early March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, and coincided with the protests around police violence in the summer 2020.

EPT approaches resulted in a variety of changes to programming. At Keys to Work in Indianapolis, staff worked with youth on executive skills assessments. These helped them explore their strengths and struggles, which in turn helped them build confidence in succeeding in areas that previously caused them doubt, such as education courses. Unexpected outcomes emerged when Opportunities for Youth, the Phoenix intermediary, used positive youth development techniques to task youth with designing their own convening. As a result, rather than workforce programming or educational disruptions, the convening focused on timely issues of mental health and suicide prevention. The Community Alliance of the Far Eastside, in Indianapolis, organized virtual events with youth and community police officers to help the youth reclaim their power and understand their traumatic challenges from the personal to the systemic.

The TABS Project highlighted several areas for further work in translating adolescent brain science to practice:

The TABS Project offered organizations a new lens on youth development, as well as a set of tools to support youth towards employment and education. Applying the lessons of this project, youth and young adult workforce organizations have the opportunity to improve education and employment outcomes by aligning their practice with what we know of adolescent brain development. We invite other communities to join the journey.

The Translating Adolescent Brain Science (TABS) Final Report

 

When analyzing the barriers that job seekers face in seeking employment, educational attainment is a common obstacle ⎯ specifically high school completion. From March 2020 through March 2021, 55.7% of Marion County unemployment insurance claimants reported that they had a high school diploma or less. Individuals with lower levels of education or training often experience higher unemployment rates, lower median family income, and fewer opportunities for skills advancement. 

Through CARES Act funding distributed by the City of Indianapolis, Marion County adult education providers expanded services and funded more opportunities for individuals to receive the training and reskilling necessary to take the next step towards their education and career goals. “This investment allows for more residents to overcome barriers to pursuing and completing  post secondary education or training, which will better prepare them to land a good job in Indianapolis as the economy recovers,” said Marie Mackintosh, EmployIndy Chief Strategy Officer. 

The Rapid Reskilling grant has acted as a vital support to local adult education providers by reimbursing them for investments in COVID-affected participants enrolled in their adult education programs. Throughout the grant period at the height of the pandemic, the Rapid Reskilling grant paid over $4.4 million in reimbursements to Marion County adult education providers for use in improving their training and e-learning services. Providers and students accessed barrier-busting resources and technology solutions to adapt to the acute need for virtual and hybrid classroom models. Overall, this investment enabled more Marion County residents to finish high school, remediate basic skills, and pursue occupational training in high-wage, high-demand career pathways. 

The seven local providers that received support include: Goodwill Excel Centers, Indy Reads, Marian University, Warren Township Adult and Community Education, Washington Township Adult Education, Wayne Township Adult Education and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Through Rapid Reskilling funds, these providers were able to collectively serve an additional 2,227 students between March and December last year. 

Take a moment to watch the video below and see the powerful impact that these adult education programs have had on individuals in our communities.

To learn more about adult education and upcoming training opportunities or to get connected to an adult education provider near you, visit: workoneindy.com/adult-ed/.

2021 JAG Career Development Conference celebrates high school student’s career readiness

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – March 17, 2021 – Today the Indianapolis Jobs for America’s Graduates Career Development Conference took place virtually, for the very first time. Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a program for high school juniors and seniors that helps arm them with the workforce development skills to be successful after high school – whether they choose to persist onto postsecondary or pursue a career. This annual conference provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their career readiness skills that they learn throughout the school year.

“During the 2020-2021 school year, the JAG Indy programs continued to excel in delivering successes for participants even in the midst of the pandemic, serving 827 students in fifteen Indianapolis schools,” said Erika Cheney, VP of K-12 at EmployIndy. “Like all other programs, we have needed to adapt our local model to support students virtually.”

With hundreds of students participating, the JAG Career Development Conference would traditionally be a full-day in-person event with high school students demonstrating career readiness skills in front of volunteer judges. Some of the competitions include critical thinking, financial literacy, employability skills, entrepreneurship, public speaking, outstanding seniors, and more.

“It is exciting to witness the drive and passion that so many of these students demonstrate during the competition,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, president & CEO of EmployIndy who spoke at this morning’s event. “These young people are learning employability skills that will last them far beyond high school and prepare them for future employment.”

Many organizations partner with JAG throughout the school year, hosting events and presenting in classrooms. This year the 2021 JAG Career Development Conference is offering a new award to the community partner who made a difference for students and impact in the community. This year the award is given to Beatrice Beverly with Stop the Violence Indianapolis.

Thank you to our 2021 sponsors who made this event possible and congratulations to all the participants for a successful virtual event and to the winners who stood out above their peers in demonstrating employability skills and career readiness success.

Sponsors
Gold Sponsors: Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University; B&W Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Drains

Bronze Sponsor: Securitas Security Systems

Award Recipients

Chapter Marketing Campaign:

  1. George Washington High School
  2. McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology
  3. Decatur Central High School

Entrepreneurship Plan:

  1. Arsenal Technical High School

Career Presentation:

  1. Faith Akinwande – Decatur Central High School
  2. Andrea Romero – Shortridge High School
  3. Samantha Rudge – Beech Grove High School

Creative Solutions:

  1. John Diaz – Warren Central High School
  2. Jared Wolfe – Indiana School for the Deaf
  3. Saul Torres – Decatur Central High School

Critical Thinking:

  1. Lia Burton – Decatur Central High School
  2. Aireyona Mitchell – Shortridge High School
  3. Prince Ndahiriwe – Decatur Central High School

Employability Skills:

  1. Gabriela Perez – Shortridge High School
  2. Anita Martin – Arsenal Technical High School
  3. Grace Gill – Decatur Central High School

Digital Invitation:

  1. Jahaira Santos-Trujillo – McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology
  2. Karen Bautista Tellez – McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology
  3. Paola Avila Hernandez – McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology

Financial Literacy:

  1. Gunnar Wiser – Decatur Central High School
  2. Jade Tien – Warren Central High School
  3. Felicity Walters – Decatur Central High School

Public Speaking:

  1. Joanna Nunez-Mancilla – George Washington High School
  2. Janice Rivera – Decatur Central High School
  3. Emma Teachman – Beech Grove High School

Writing Skills:

  1. Kayden Kimbrough – Beech Grove High School
  2. Anab Jamal – Decatur Central High School
  3. Sharon Oyatayo – Decatur Central High School

Outstanding Senior:

  1. Anita Martin – Arsenal Technical High School
  2. Shelby Gosser – Decatur Central High School
  3. Dieu Merci Mfaume – George Washington High School

You can learn more about the Jobs for America’s Graduates program here.

9 March 2021 – Indianapolis – Today launches the fifth year of the Project Indy Youth Jobs initiative. Through the Project Indy digital job search platform, thousands of Indianapolis young people are connected to jobs each year. This tool is used as a resource by over 100 employers as they seek to fill their full-time and part-time positions and youth as they look for employment, particularly during the summer months. As with all other things, this initiative and the young people it supports have seen the repercussions of the COVID-19 impact.

In 2020 over 32% of young adults 16-24 were employed in the hospitality and tourism industry – one that has suffered greatly from the pandemic. While this is felt globally, Indianapolis particularly struggled with a large portion of the local economy relying on the success of those industries.

“Project Indy has been incredibly successful over the past five years, connecting young people with jobs and skill-building opportunities in industries across Indianapolis,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This year, Project Indy will be a part of our city’s economic comeback from the pandemic, boosting our hospitality and tourism workforces and contributing to overall job growth. And it will help employers as well, as young workers are exposed to new career paths in our city’s core industries. It truly is a win-win.”

Project Indy is a location-based, job search platform connecting young adults to local employers. With a large majority of the hospitality industry traditionally staffed by youth and young adults, major sporting events like the ones Indianapolis will host this March provide opportunities for youth to not only make money, but to obtain important job skills that will help them be successful as they progress through the workforce.

“Indianapolis is fortunate to be hosting upcoming basketball tournaments on the national stage,” said Department of Tourism, Event and Sports Management Chair at IUPUI, Brian Krohn. “Not only will the buzz positively impact our economy, there will also be many part-time jobs now available for young workers to assist with the influx of visitors and our hope that this will provide the opportunity for many of our local businesses to open their doors again.”

In Indianapolis, sports and events have always been tools to drive economic growth – and the tournaments will be no exception.

“Events like GenCon, FDIC, and now March Madness, held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium are often considered to be what defines Indianapolis. I’ve always maintained that it’s the people behind events like these that make our city great,” said Andy Mallon, Executive Director, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. “By hiring through Project Indy, employers in all different industries, including hospitality, have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of young ambassadors for Indianapolis.”

By offering jobs throughout Indianapolis, Project Indy will be able to service events like those taking place this month. As youth are gainfully employed, they learn additional skills that will help them as they progress through their career.

“The ongoing impact of hiring a young person goes far beyond the day-to-day job responsibilities. What they learn will influence who they are as a person, how they grow in their soft and hard skills, and what industries they choose to go into when they formally progress into the workforce,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, President & CEO of EmployIndy. “This provides us as employers an opportunity to make what we know will be beneficial investments both short- and long-term as we impact someone today and arm them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the future.”

Employers can sign up today to have their positions listed on the Project Indy job search platform at projectindy.net

Outlines Indy Achieves and EmployIndy’s plan to assist Indianapolis residents in experiencing economic growth and mobility through pursuit of postsecondary education

View Executive Summary | View Strategic Plan

2 February 2021 – Indianapolis – Today Indy Achieves officially launched their new, three-year strategic plan with the continued vision to make postsecondary education attainment a reality for all Marion County residents to enable economic mobility and future prosperity. This strategic plan builds upon the previous plan and includes the following priority areas: Access; Completion; Career Connection; Adult Learners; and Governance, Communications, and Budget.

“As of the end of 2020, over half of the Marion County residents who applied for unemployment insurance had no postsecondary degrees or credentials,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, president and CEO of EmployIndy. “In order to bridge this economic supply/demand gap and remove barriers to education, we need to establish an increased flow of information between residents and institutions, increase support for students as they transition to and through postsecondary education, and create a clear pathway for adults to skill-up and complete industry-recognized credentials or degrees.”

The Indy Achieves Strategic Plan focuses on creating a seamless transition for Indianapolis residents of all ages to transition to higher education and successfully progress into the workforce after completion. Over the past two years, Indy Achieves has focused on traditional pathways to postsecondary education, providing Promise Scholarships and Completion grants to over 1200 students at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis and IUPUI. With this growing plan, the focus will expand to adult learners, leveraging existing relationships built through 21st Century Scholars, adults who attended Ivy Tech or IUPUI but did not complete their degree, and employees at employer partner companies seeking further education.

“By increasing their focus on serving the adult population, Indy Achieves is taking steps to support our residents, neighbors, and peers. The individual impact of this approach will last far beyond the pandemic, as people learn new skills and, ultimately, experience economic mobility as they have increased opportunity to transition into high-demand, higher-paying jobs,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.

Indy Achieves will continue partnering with Ivy Tech Community College, IUPUI, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Indianapolis middle and high schools, and local employers to streamline a career readiness approach, increasing enrollment and completion rates for residents. Each of these partnerships plays an integral role in ensuring that students and residents alike have equal opportunity for economic growth and success. From engaging with Marion County middle schools to process over 915 21st Century Scholar applications during the 2020 school year, to working closely with employers to allow current employees to re-enroll in postsecondary, Indy Achieves is continuing to build and expand partnerships throughout Indianapolis.

“Completing a postsecondary degree or credential is a crucial factor to maintaining economic mobility. Our team is working tirelessly to ensure that residents not only have access to financial support, but receive personalized assistance as they move through postsecondary,” said Matt Impink, vice president of postsecondary and executive director of Indy Achieves at EmployIndy. “We are excited to see what happens in the coming years and witness the impact our partnerships will make in the lives of people in our community.”

 

Appendix A: Messages of Support for the 2021 Indy Achieves Strategic Plan

Center for Leadership Development (CLD): Yuri Smith, Manager of Community Programs
“We are so grateful for the immeasurable work that Indy Achieves and you are doing. As a fellow alum, I believe CLD has wired us to ensure we make our community a better place and your strategy to connect families and young people with the 21st Century Scholars program, is one great example of that service. Since partnering with your organization, we have been able to host presentations, register students and expose families to the 21st Century scholars application process, who prior to this relationship, had no idea how their students would be able to pay for college. Thank you for all of your efforts. We look forward to strengthening our relationship, so that we can ensure that all students, who are applicable for the 21st Century Scholars program, register and take advantage of this great program.”

Decatur Middle School: James Storms, School Counselor
“Through support from Indy Achieves, Decatur Middle School is working with families during these challenging times to meet the needs of our students who qualify for the 21st Century Scholar Program. We are grateful for the 21st Century Scholar Presentations during the Parent Zoom Parties. Indy Achieves is supporting both our English and Spanish speaking population! Decatur Middle School recognizes the importance of collaborating with Indy Achieves and we thank you for your generous time and effort working with our families.”

Guion Creek Middle School (MSD Pike Township): Amy Land, School Counselor
“Being a Title 1 school, we strive to get almost all of our students signed up for 21st Century Scholars! This alone can be a daunting job, but especially when added to all of our other counseling duties. Having a partnership with Indy Achieves really helps us be able to get more accurate and detailed information out and to reach more of our families.”

Harshman Middle School: Carrie Murphy, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
“Indy Achieves continually goes above and beyond for Harshman. From attending parent nights to presenting in classrooms — virtual and in person — Indy Achieves has always been creative and inventive when it comes to meeting the needs of the Harshman Middle School community. When I think of partners who truly make a difference at our school, Indy Achieves is at the top of the list. We have seen our 21st Century Scholar enrollment more than double since partnering with this energetic and professional team and now can’t imagine offering this opportunity to our families without them.”

IUPUI: Boyd Bradshaw, Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer
“Indy Achieves engages in innovative ways to promote quality education and research with a plan that creates new opportunities to ensure student success and degree completion.”

Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis: John Cowles, Vice Chancellor for Student Success
“I am incredibly impressed with the work of Indy Achieves focusing on postsecondary certificate and degree attainment of Marion county residents. I look forward to seeing great success in Indy Achieves for years to come.”

Pike High School: Qiana Miller, School Counselor and 21st Century Liaison
“Not often do you encounter a program and staff that always go above and beyond for the promotion of students, but with Indy Achieves you get nothing less than the best. I look forward to  many more years of partnership.”

Sense Charter School: Erin Good, School Counselor
“Indy Achieves has been an incredible community partner in our efforts to ensure that students take advantage of the 21st Century Scholars program. It has been so helpful to consult with an outside agency for new and different ideas to get our students and families engaged in the enrollment process. I am thankful that they are willing to come to the table and brainstorm how to reach our school community, no matter the circumstances. I appreciate that Indy Achieves has generated innovative ways to make sure enrollment is easy and accessible to all families. Their assistance lessens my load so I can put energy towards meeting my students’ various needs outside college readiness!”

by Eric Thomas

Having been recently promoted to the role of Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion lead at Genesys—an Indianapolis technology company that provides cloud contact center software—I’ve had to examine my own relationship to the power structure around me. I’ve had to challenge some of my own preconceptions about the leadership that I interface with as I work to create a more inclusive culture in the company that is my immediate landscape. That said, doing so has provided a particular challenge: how does one go about challenging systems that are unequal without challenging the individuals who benefit from them?

It is a delicate calculus.

On one side of the equation is the vibrancy of voices for change, not necessarily calling for open rebellion, but certainly open to challenging the status quo. On the other side is the dull monotony of the “get along to get ahead” mindset that has, for too long, kept many of us employed, but not exactly orchestrating organizational change.

I was thinking about this recently with a colleague and we realized that a big part of the challenge of the present moment is a very peculiar ask: how do you challenge unfair systems without accusing their beneficiaries? All around me are an array of people that I genuinely like and respect. But, like many systems in this country and elsewhere, the principal beneficiaries of these systems are disproportionately white and male. How do I embrace the challenge of building a more equitable future without damaging the relationships that could enable it?

The answer is to embrace a growth mindset.

Equity isn’t pie. One person getting a slice doesn’t mean that someone else goes without. It means that we bake more pie. Genesys is prospering. We are adding heads in a variety of roles. It is a wonderful position to be in. And as I come to take a more active role in recruiting and hiring, an opportunity is at hand. The best part of this opportunity is that it doesn’t have to feel like a threat. To anyone.

Author Carol Dweck wrote about how individuals can be possessed of a “growth mindset” or a “fixed mindset.” In a 2012 interview, she had this to say:

“In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don’t necessarily think everyone’s the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.”

For me, what this means in the context of diversity, equity and inclusion is that there are no fixed positions. We can work to grow together into the future that we all deserve. It’s much less a reallocation than a reimagining.

We can embrace the people around us, while we commit to challenging the systems that favor some over others. We can all get smarter together if we work at it. This is what I’m here for.

You can learn more about Genesys and their efforts in Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by visiting www.genesys.com/diversity.