Jobs Program to Target At-Risk Youth

September 28, 2012

News Release

Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce is launching an employment initiative, Youth Employment Services (YES), that will focus on serving the most at-risk youth that have dropped out of school prior to obtaining a high school diploma. The initiative will provide youth (ages 17-25) the opportunity to break barriers that prevent them from obtaining the education and skills needed for today’s workforce. This program will utilize donated monies to fund the barrier-busting vouchers and introduce at-risk youth to additional community services.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) are becoming more limited with funding and resources to serve an increasing at-risk youth population. CBOs currently focus on short-term, immediate needs including food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare assistance however these resources have become limited. The ability to provide these youth with “barrier-busting” vouchers will help the youth obtain a GED and employment. Barrier-busting vouchers may be used in cases where other funds are limited due to eligibility, timeliness, or other system barriers. Private investments allow CBOs to provide services, not covered by most government funding, to this population.
Community resources are thus maximized to help an at-risk workforce become more employable and companies employ a more trainable workforce.

Indiana’s latest graduation numbers show that students on free and reduced lunch graduate at a rate of 70% while those not on free and reduced lunch graduate at an 87.5% rate. This population tends to be children of high school dropouts and, therefore, the most at-risk of continuing in the cycle of poverty.

Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce, in collaboration with YouthBuild and YWCA, and through the contributions of Vectren Corp., Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, and German American, will begin the program on October 1, 2012. A kick – off event will be held at the YouthBuild office at C.K. Newsome Center located at 100 Walnut St. Evansville, IN 47713; at 10:00 a.m. This is an excellent opportunity for area businesses and employers along with workforce development to build the current goal of a pipeline of skilled workers for today’s workforce needs.

Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce Board Inc. (Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce)

Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce is the regional workforce board certified by the Governor of Indiana to provide policy guidance for, and review and evaluation of, activities under Workforce Investment Act in the nine county region of the counties in Southwest Indiana: Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick (designated as “Region 11” by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development). The Board consists of 15 members, with at least one member from each county representing business, and individuals to represent Community Based/Faith Based Organizations, Labor, Economic Development, and Education. These representatives are appointed by the Local Elected Officials in Region 11.

About Vectren
Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren’s energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and west central Ohio. Vectren’s nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services, energy services, coal mining and energy marketing. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com.

About Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana began production in Princeton, Ind., in 1998. Today, TMMI employs about 4,100 team members from the Tri-State. Team members produce the Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle, Sienna minivan and Highlander midsize sport utility vehicle. Toyota’s total investment in TMMI is $3.8 billion.

TMMI has paid more than $63 million in local property taxes since 1997 and donated more than $13 million since 1996 to local community organizations. TMMI has been a zero landfill facility since May 2005.
Those interested in taking a tour of the plant may call the Visitors Center at 888-696-8211 or go online at www.tourtoyotaindiana.com to request a reservation. “Like” our Visitors Center by going to www.facebook.com/tmmivc.

German American
German American is a very strong southern Indiana financial services provider, specializing in banking, insurance, and investments for business and retail customers. In 1910, German American was founded in the heart of a large Midwest region of communities rich in German American heritage. Headquartered in Jasper, Indiana, German American has grown to 35 offices in 12 counties. The 430+ employees of German American strive to establish strong relationships by working closely with businesses and individuals and by providing strong financial solutions. To learn more about German American, visit www.germanamerican.com.

Source: Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce