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Project Indy Connects Youth With Opportunity

Project Indy kicks off a new year at Tea's Me Cafe. (Jill Sheridan WFYI)
Project Indy kicks off a new year at Tea's Me Cafe. (Jill Sheridan WFYI)

Project Indy connects Indianapolis youth with job opportunities. The annual program kicked off its 2020 season, marking a fifth year for the summer employment program for teens and young adults.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says early career opportunities can be transformative.

"It, in so many ways, gives our young people a pathway of hope for a better future," says Hogsett.

Employ Indy operates the program and says 175 employers have posted jobs.

One focus this year is to connect more youth with jobs at local businesses.

"This is both an initiative designed to uplift our youth and at the same time provide our local businesses with great employees," says Hogsett. 

Tea’s Me Café General Manager Joi DeFrantz says the initiative offers many benefits.

"To create a safe environment for people to learn, create, implement their ideas, grow and change," says DeFrantz.

Since 2016, Project Indy has helped nearly 8,000 young people find jobs. 

 

Jill Sheridan Poulos is the managing city editor at WFYI. She was previously a member of the IPB News teams covering health and science, and at WFYI as a reporter and anchor.
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