Indianapolis – March 11, 2025 – This morning, Mayor Joe Hogsett, EmployIndy, and Indy Parks kicked off the summer hiring season by announcing the 2025 edition of the Project Indy summer jobs initiative at Frederick Douglass Park. Project Indy is currently offering 257 available positions from over 160 local employers. Through its online platform at projectindy.net, it is now easier than ever for young people to get connected to employers who are hiring.

“The City of Indianapolis is thrilled to be kicking off yet another year of our youth employment initiative,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Over the course of nearly a decade, Project Indy has helped our young people not only to stay busy while earning a fair wage, but also to develop the essential skills and experience that will lead them on to high-quality, long-term employment as adults.”

Project Indy was launched in 2016 by Mayor Hogsett alongside EmployIndy, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC), and the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY). Since its launch, Project Indy has empowered over 19,200 young adults in Marion County by providing work experiences that build their employability skills and allow them to explore new career fields. During that time, 339 employers have posted open positions on the portal.

Youth ages 16-24 can get started using Project Indy’s virtual job board by simply texting “ProjectIndy” to 317-659-9657. This easy-to-use online platform utilizes text messaging to recruit and onboard job seekers. It also includes a location-based tool that works to connect youth to nearby opportunities as well as filtering job opportunities by interest. Once registered, job seekers can easily apply to any of the hundreds of open positions by providing a few pieces of basic information.

By hiring in-school and out-of-school youth throughout Marion County, local employers provide employability skill development and job-readiness training, playing an important role in training our future workforce. Employers, such as Project Indy partner Indy Parks, benefit by creating a talent pipeline for their business or industry.

“Indy Parks provides high quality job opportunities for our youth by allowing them to serve their community and build a strong foundation for their careers,” said Frederick Douglass Park Manager Derrick Miller. “Whether it’s as a lifeguard, camp counselor, or food program staff, our summer jobs are a great place for young people to work and learn.”

EmployIndy, which administers Project Indy, will continue promoting the virtual platform through face-to-face recruiting at Indianapolis-area high schools, targeted social media campaigns, and at local youth hiring fairs. In 2024, over 1,575 young people in Indianapolis were connected to job opportunities through Project Indy.

“Our team works directly with education and workforce partners to promote Project Indy as a valuable Career-Connected Learning initiative for both youth and employers” said EmployIndy President + CEO, Marie Mackintosh. “For employers, specifically, Project Indy is an opportunity to modernize their recruitment strategy and co-develop our city’s next generation of talent.”

In 2018, EmployIndy, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis and the Indy Chamber, launched Job Ready Indy, an online employability skills program focused on providing the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace. When an individual completes one of the online courses, a Job Ready Indy badge will appear on their Project Indy profile – notifying an interested employer that they are deemed by EmployIndy and the Indy Chamber as someone who demonstrates the “job-ready” skills important to the workplace.

Employers interested in hiring youth can sign up to be a Project Indy partner here. Youth interested in joining the Project Indy platform can get started by simply texting “ProjectIndy” to 317-659-9657 or visiting projectindy.net.

EmployIndy is proud to celebrate our partnership with OneAmerica Financial, a company demonstrating its commitment to workforce equity and economic mobility. Having recently been certified through EmployIndy’s Good Wages Initiative (GWI), OneAmerica has pledged to provide competitive wages that support the financial stability of their employees. By committing to paying at least $18 per hour and offering health insurance benefits that promote long-term career growth, they are setting a strong example for employers across Indianapolis. 

“We believe every OneAmerica Financial associate should have a path to achieve financial certainty through a career that enables their overall success,” said J. Scott Davison, chairman, president, and CEO of OneAmerica Financial. “Our vision is to build financial security for today and generations to come, which applies to our associates as much as our customers.” 

Beyond their commitment to fair wages, OneAmerica is also partnering with EmployIndy’s Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP) to take a proactive approach in addressing their talent pipeline needs through youth apprenticeship. Having hired five apprentices to date, two of which have completed the program, they provide students, like Zion Peterson, with hands-on experience in financial services while they complete their high school education. By fostering early career pathways, OneAmerica is not only equipping young professionals with valuable skills, mentorship, and opportunities for long-term success, they’re finding a strategic solution to close the skills gap and co-develop their next generation of workers. 

“The partnership between OneAmerica and EmployIndy is invaluable, as it exemplifies a shared commitment to supporting a quality workforce and economic mobility,” said Jay Styles, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Talent Connections at EmployIndy. “By providing competitive wages and fostering early career pathways, OneAmerica is setting a powerful example for other employers and creating meaningful opportunities for the community.” 

To learn how your company can partner with EmployIndy to build workforce equity and economic mobility in our city, send us a note at businesspartnerships@nullemployindy.org to get the conversation started. 

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 businesspartnerships@nullemployindy.org to get connected.