2020 TRAINING YOUTH FOR SUCCESS (TYFS) PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Pathway Resource Center, Inc. (Pathway) hosts and facilitates a summer youth program for at-risk youth living in or near high crime areas in Indianapolis, Indiana (Marion County). Targeted youth are unemployed or never been employed, and youth who may experienced problems maintaining a job or who cannot obtain employment for lack of basic job skills and professional training. Training Youth for Success (TYFS) was developed as an employment training (job ready) program for youth ages 14-17 that has been in existence since 2004, which has sustained for over 15 years in 2019 with a total of $110,000 program funding provided!

 

However, in 2019, Pathway Resource Center expanded the TYFS program included an employment component where up to 40 you were also hired as employees and placed at a job sites during the course of the five (5) weeks summer youth employment program. Youth worked two (2) days a week for 8 hours per day at the pay rate of $8.00 per hour. The Job ready training was held three (3) days per week for six (6) hours per day at Pathway Resource Center (10119 John Marshall Drive) and Amber Woods Apartments Clubhouse. The job ready training and employment program started June 17, 2019 and ended Thursday, July 19, 2019 with an amazing Program Closing & Awards Ceremony. In addition, a mandatory program orientation for youth and parents was conducted on Thursday, June 6, 2019 after youth were selected from the interview process.

 

Pathway program participants were employed by the organization (Pathway to the Future Learning Center, Inc. d/b/a Pathway Resource Center, Inc.). New hire orientation for youth participants was facilitated on June 17-18, 2019. Pathway was also awarded by the Lilly Endowment Capital Improvement grant; funding to expand the building that houses the TYFS program.

 

TYFS provides valuable employability skills and employment training that will assist youth in obtaining gainful employment and job retention when they enter the workforce. Training tools include: resume writing, mock interviewing, business dress & etiquette, computer skills training, socialization skills, financial literacy, soft people skills, transferable skills, critical thinking skills, community service projects, thinking and problem solving skills, time/resource allocation, business basics, conflict resolution skills and practical job experience.

 

In 2019, youth employees worked various jobs to obtain a broader base of diversification of employment skills and On-the-Job Training to include but not limit to: housekeeping, supervisory, janitorial, maintaining grounds, customer service, office, administrative, landscaping, technology, project management, small construction projects and data collecting and management.

 

The Training Youth for Success program is a five (5) weeks, Monday-Friday for seven (7) hours per day. Youth participants interned at various companies’ job-sites for two (2) days a week on Thursdays and Fridays for six (8) hours per day and received on-site employment readiness, career education and college preparedness training three (3) days a week for six (6 hours) at Pathway. The program will concluded with this Program Awards and Celebration Luncheon.

 

2020 OVERVIEW

The program model was suppose to reflect 2019. However, in 2020, the TYFS Program will look very different than what has been implemented in past years due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) global pandemic.

 

This year’s job ready training (same training tools will be used just virtual/EmployIndy’s Curriculum included but not limited to) and job placement program had to be modified and become flexible to meet the changes of the current environment to continue to take into account the health and safety measures and practice of youth, parents, staff, program partners, guest speakers and training facilitators while observing social distancing as much as possible. In addition, funding was also reduced this year as an result of COVID-19.

 

Training Youth for Success is a job ready training and job placement program for at-risk and underserved youth ages 15-17 and will run for four (4) weeks starting Monday, June 29, 2020 and ending on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 10:00am-5:00pm. The job ready training will not take place at Pathway but instead virtually on Zoom Conference. If needed, Pathway will provide computer laptops and WIFI for youth whose households do not have the technology and/or WIFI support.

 

In addition, 35 youth will receive a flat stipend of $450 each for the four (4) week program. The  training takes place three days a week Monday through Wednesday virtually and the for two (2) days youth will either be volunteering at a local food bank, removing trash from the community and/or creating care packages for the homeless and Seniors in need during the COVID-19 crisis. However, youth will be supervised and monitored by Pathway’s staff members.

 

The program will end conclude with final stipend checks and certificates of completions mailed to youth. Both youth and parents must complete an online Survey Money for both pre-and post.

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About Indy MBK (My Brother's Keeper)

My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative began in 2014, in the White House by President Obama. MBK’s goal is to engage communities through both public and private sectors and to eliminate gaps in opportunity and achievements for young men of color and to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential and pursue the American Dream!

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ABOUT PATHWAY RESOURCE CENTER

Pathway Resource Center, Inc. (Pathway’s) goal is to provide our city’s at-risk and underserved youth (male, female, all ethnicities, and ages 15-24) with an expanded program to include job ready workshops, referrals, resources, tools, and job access to assist them with success in entering the workforce with wages that allow them to support themselves and their families.

We are seeking employers and businesses that are currently looking to fill temporary, seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions with motivated and qualified individuals of relevant work experience. Community agencies and program sponsors will be on hand to assist job seekers. We look forward to your confirmation and participation!

 

Every year Pathway along with its Indy MBK Steering Committee (a vested group of community partners representing organizations throughout the City of Indianapolis and Marion County) identify organizations (1 high school, church, and community group/government agency) to host three (3) Indy MBK Youth Job Hiring & Resource Fairs in Indianapolis. The goals is tor provide on-site job access, job placement and resource opportunities to at least 3,000 at-risk and vulnerable youth in the community with a focus on the Far Eastside of Indianapolis while providing alternatives to crime and drugs.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER

Pathway assumed responsibility for 150 housing units in 2010 and an additional 200 in 2019 to be able to offer families affordable housing with commitments to expand the program to add additional housing and a sustainable revenue stream for the organization. 

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PATHWAY HOSTS A FULLY EQUIPPED TECHNOLOGY CENTER WITH FREE COMPUTER USE AND INTERNET ACCESS.

Pathway also provides year-round computer training classes for residents ages 13 and up. The lab can be utilized by residents and clients for job searching, personal use, professional needs and web research.

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CRIME PREVENTION IS FOUNDATIONAL FOR MANY OF OUR PROGRAMS.

The Community Crime Prevention Grant supports community efforts that have the potential of preventing retaliation or reducing crime in high crime focused areas as identified by IMPD. Pathway Resources Center, Inc. provides the type of programs most likely to prevent crime and effectively intervene in the lives of those at risk of criminal behavior.