Mayor Announces Plans for Summer Employment, Education Program

YouthWorks Indy to Provide Education Stipends, Paid Work Experience for up to 600 Marion County Residents

INDIANAPOLIS – City of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard today announced a summer jobs and educational program for up to 600 Marion County youth.

The YouthWorks Indy (YWI) summer enrichment program will operate from June through September 2010 and will provide education, work readiness and work experience opportunities for in-school and out-of-school youth and young adults. In its second year, the program is available to residents of Marion County who are ages 16-24, enrolled in high school, a high school graduate or equivalent, or out of school seeking a GED.

The Indianapolis Private Industry Council (IPIC) will manage the $2.8 million program using federal stimulus and workforce investment funds designated for employment and training.

“YouthWorks Indy creates opportunities that provide participants with a paycheck while offering them on-the-job training and instructional classes,” Mayor Ballard said. “This program helps close education gaps that can become barriers to future job and college options for our youth.”

The program focuses on the three areas of education, employment, and work readiness. It provides opportunities for 420 youth enrolled in high school and 170 youth who are out of school seeking a GED or careers in information technology. Some of the 420 in-school youth will participate in a program track in high growth sectors like health care and STEM fields.

“We are excited to expand the successful aspects of last year’s summer enrichment program for local youth,” said Brooke Huntington, President and CEO of IPIC. “This unique combination of work and educational credentials will maximize the opportunity for long-term success among participants by putting the youth on track to receive specific educational credentials to ensure long-term education and job prospects.”

Improvements made to last year’s program include more effective scheduling of work days and instructional classes, an increase in the number of teachers and mentors working with youth, and financial incentives for program completion, Huntington said.

Part of the participants’ time will be spent in the classroom and part gaining work experience at local companies and organizations. The program will provide an hourly wage for work of $8.50, up to $170 per week, and a stipend of $50 per educational session, up to $250 per week, to cover transportation and meals. Additional financial incentives will be awarded for program completion.

Online applications will be available at www.ipic.org and www.youthworksindy.org beginning April 19, 2010. Participants must complete the online application and bring all required eligibility documents for enrollment listed on the Web sites to intake sessions scheduled with the education/training providers the week of May 3. Priority of selection will be given to veterans (past or present), fall 2010 enrolling Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) participants, Youth Employment Services (YES) participants and current WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker or Youth participants. Participants are scheduled to be selected no later than May 14.

Program Highlights for In-School Students

Indianapolis Public Schools will assist up to 240 in-school students by offering remedial and for-credit classes in English and Language Arts at Washington and Broad Ripple high schools. Students will attend classes for three weeks and be placed at a job site for three weeks, in addition to participating in a one-week job readiness training course. In 2009, IPS participated in the YouthWorks Indy program and this year increased the number of teachers-to-student ratio.

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School will assist 60 in-school youth who are enrolled in the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program by offering remedial and for-credit instruction in Algebra II, Geometry, and English II. Students will receive work-readiness training and be placed in summer job assignments.

Metropolitan Indianapolis Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (MICI-AHEC) will assist 60 youth by offering training and certifications in CPR, first aid, and Health Insurance and Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) and place students in jobs at medical/health care sites. This component achieved 100 percent completion rate in 2009 and is being expanded this year.

STEM Club at IUPUI will assist 60 juniors and seniors by offering an organizational behavior class equivalent to three college credits and exposure to STEM-related occupations.

Program Highlights for Out-of-School Youth

MSD Washington Township will work with Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana to assist 140 out-of-school youth working toward a GED. Participants will receive 160 hours of instruction at community and continuing education sites, after which they may take the GED test. They will be placed in job assignments and receive work-readiness training.

IA Services will assist 30 out-of-school youth in technical training, offering certifications in print/copier maintenance, fiber installation, and an A+ certificate. Participants will receive work readiness training and be placed in IT-related jobs in local firms for on-the-job experience.

UTILITY TRANSFER UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS

The proposed transfer of the water and wastewater utilities gained approval from the Indianapolis Board of Public Works during the board's regular meeting on April 14, 2010. Resolution No. 20, 2010 and Resolution No. 21, 2010 regarding the proposed transfer of the City of Indianapolis' water and wastewater utilities to Citizens Energy Group and PILOT financing, respectively, were approved by a 6-0 vote. The Board's endorsement represents the first approval to refer the transfer to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for final approval later this year.

"Approval by the Board of Public Works is a critical first step in the process of the transfer of the water and wastewater utilities to Citizens, our local, non-profit charitable trust," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "The completion of this transfer will ensure consistent and predictable water and wastewater utilities for the residents of Indianapolis while allowing the City to invest an additional $425 million into our crumbling infrastructure."

On March 10, 2010, Mayor Ballard and Carey Lykins, president and CEO of Citizens Energy Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to transfer the City's water and wastewater utilities to Citizens, a public charitable trust operating utilities for community benefit. Pending negotiation and approval of the final agreement, the City will receive $425 million that will be used to address the City's challenges, including our public infrastructure. In addition, Citizens agrees to assume approximately $1.5 billion of City debt - the combined debt of the water and wastewater utilities.

"Citizens is committed to providing the residents of Indianapolis safe and reliable water and wastewater utilities," said Lykins. "Bringing the utilities into the public charitable trust will ensure professional management, excellent customer service, well-maintained utility systems and more stable rates."

Citizens estimates by the year 2025 that the increase in combined water and wastewater rates will be 25 percent lower than projected under its ownership compared to other options available to the City. Lower water and wastewater rate increases will be achieved through an estimated $40 million in annual savings available by combining operations of the water utilities with Citizens' gas, steam and chilled water systems.

The City-County Council will thoroughly review and analyze the proposed transfer and is formally charged with approving the transfer. If approved by the Council, the IURC will then review the proposal through its public process.

Since March 10, Mayor Ballard, his administration and Citizens have provided briefings, listened to feedback and answered questions about the transfer during three public forums and 16 meetings with neighborhood, business and technical advisory groups. Valuable suggestions have been provided by residents, community leaders and business owners that will help shape the final transfer agreement.

The public will have another opportunity to ask questions and give feedback regarding the utility transfer proposal on April 20 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center, 2805 S. Lynhurst Drive.

For more information about the utility transfers and the schedule for public meetings, visit www.indy.gov/utilities or call (317) 327-4MAC.

Dining Out for Life

Hey friends! On Thursday, April 29, I hope you and your friends will join me for Dining Out for Life. Simply dine out for lunch or dinner at one of the 30+ participating local restaurants around the city, and they will contribute between 25-50 percent of your check total to the Damien Center, a critically important HIV/AIDS assistance organization based here in Indy. There's nothing you need to do but bring your appetite and enjoy a great meal.

I'll be hosting once again at Adobo Grill on Washington Street , so I would love to see a big group of my friends there again this year, but feel free to choose any participating restaurant you like. Reservations are recommended - it's always a popular event.

See www.diningoutforlife.com/Indianapolis for a list of restaurants, or visit www.damien.org for more information about the Damien Center.

I hope to see you all at Adobo Grill. Thanks in advance for your support of the Damien Center.

Bill

Community Greening, How KIB can help YOU!

Come to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful on:
Saturday, June 12th
This is a workshop for groups and individuals
who have had little to no experience working
KIB. You will learn about ALL that KIB has to
offer, and how to access our resources. If you
are a long-time KIB partner, and are already
aware of all we do, please forward this to
someone who doesn’t know about KIB. This
workshop will be 1/2 presentation about KIB,
and 1/2 Questions and Answers.

Please RSVP to Phil Schaefer
Vice President of Programs
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
1029 East Fletcher Avenue
Indianapolis, In 46203
pschaefer@kibi.org
317-264-7555 x109

MAYOR ANNOUNCES SUSTAININDY GREEN INITIATIVES, EVENTS

Mayor Greg Ballard today announced a series of events that
will highlight City of Indianapolis sustainability initiatives.
SustainIndy activities include the Great Indy Spring Cleanup, a citywide
effort to beautify and strengthen our communities. Mayor Ballard earlier
this week signed the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contracts, approved by
the City-County Council April 5. SustainIndy announcements and
activities include:

1) Environmental Sustainability Announcement for The New Wishard
2 p.m. April 14, Richard Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W. 10th St.,
rooftop

2) Greening of the City-County Building Employee Surveys
April 16

3) The Great Indy Cleanup Kickoff*
8:30 a.m. April 17, Peddler's Mall, 38th Street and High School Road

4) Introduction of "Air Schmair," Office of Sustainability's new
children's book on air quality
11 a.m. April 19, The Indianapolis Project School, 1145 E. 22nd St.

5) Bicycle Friendly City Celebration*
2 p.m. April 22, City Market

6) Great Indy Spring Cleanup neighborhood efforts, including three
special Tox Drop locations and Earth Day Indiana Festival at White River
State Park*
April 24, locations TBA

7) Arbor Day Celebration*
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington
St.

8) Great Indy Spring Cleanup neighborhood efforts*
May 1, locations TBA

TRAVEL THE GLOBE AT EGYPTIAN DANCE CELEBRATION, VINTAGE MOVIE NIGHT

The Indy Parks & Recreation Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC) this weekend offers Egyptian dance, an Egypt-inspired vintage film, a historic interpreter and a hands-on arts activity showcasing Middle Eastern inspiration and creativity.

The weekend's showcase event is the Egyptian Dance Celebration performance from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. Egyptian dance artists dressed in elaborate costumes will perform routines to the sound of energetic music. A $5 donation is suggested for this event. For an additional charge, visitors may try authentic Egyptian dishes from the Luxor Café beginning at 6 p.m.

Vintage Movie Night follows the Egyptian Dance Celebration at 9 p.m. The featured film will be "The Ghoul" (1933) featuring Boris Karloff. The suggested donation for Vintage Movie Night is $2.

Intermediate to advanced dancers are invited to attend Egyptian and Middle Eastern Dance workshops Saturday, April 17, and Sunday, April 18. Led by Master Dancer Faten Ali-Munger, with support from the GPAC, the workshops feature Los Angeles-based instructor John Compton. Call Ali-Munger at (317) 250-2029 for workshop times, costs and to register.

Visitors to the GPAC this weekend may make scarabs from terra cotta clay in the GPAC's Arts for All studio. An actor portraying the ancient Egyptian character Mayet will share artifacts and speak about life in 31 B.C. This weekend the GPAC will be open 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

$1 Access Pass to The Children's Museum, Conner Prarie, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana Historical Society, NCAA Hall of Champions

The Children's Museum, Conner Prarie, Eiteljorg Museum, Indiana Historical Society, NCAA Hall of Champions all have an access pass program for $1 per family member per visit. The application is on-line and can be accessed at childrensmuseum.org/accesspass -- there is also more information on-line at this link. The family must be on Hoosier Healthwise or access Foodstamps or Tanf. They must bring their card to verify and have a State ID and only 2 adults in the household can apply.