The staff at the Indianapolis Urban League works hard to improve education opportunity for African-American students through scholarships, academic achievement initiatives, early child care/development programs, mentoring opportunities and youth leadership development.
Our goal is to equip our children for competition with the best and the brightest in the nation and the world. Currently, we offer the following programs:
Teen Court
A session of Teen Court is held at the IUL once each month. Teen Court is a diversion program of juvenile misdemeanor offenders. Referrals are made directly from the court system to this program where the juvenile must take responsibility for their actions, provide restitution, and give the community an active role in solving juvenile crime.
National Urban League Incentives to Excel & Succeed (NULITES)
NULITES is a national program designed to reflect the positive aspects of urban youth in today’s society while providing opportunities for personal development and leadership in local Urban League affiliate’s communities. NULITES chapter activities are developed, implemented and executed by youth participants with guidance from adult advisors.
Soon to Make a Difference in the Community Program
In an effort to encourage more of our young ladies to consider pursuing careers in the field of technology, we operate the Soon to Make a Difference in the Community Program (SMD.com). This program allows girls to learn hands-on computer skills using the latest software applications available to build projects in web design, photo manipulation, digital photography and animation just to name a few. In addition, the program is proven to assist with building strong confidence, better self-images, team building as
well as critical thinking skills with girls ages 12-17. The SMD.com Program works in collaboration with the School of Informatic at IUPUI and other leaders throughout our community.
IUL Back-To-School Block Party
The Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) annually sponsors a Back-To-School Block Party at the Sam H. Jones Urban League Center located at 777 Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The event serves 1,200 to 1,500 persons. Contributions defray the expenses of providing backpacks, educational flyers and materials, food and entertainment to Block Party guests. More than 720 elementary and middle school backpacks are donated to the attendees in 2008.
Last year’s event drew more than 1,400 people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Indiana is one of the few states in the nation that charges textbook rental fees to parents with children in its public schools. The most measurable result for participants is that the backpacks and supplies lessen the economic burden of adequately preparing children for school.
IUL Education Summit
Annually, the Indianapolis Urban League holds an education summit to bring together children and adults to discuss education crisis-related issues. The Summit, which is free and open to the public, targets African-American high school aged youth and their families for a series of workshops.
Workshop participants share experiences and develop strategies to be used for the overall action plan in peer groups throughout the day, and the IUL makes the Action Plan available to the community for discussion.
Students who attend the entire event may be eligible to receive a scholarship.
NUL Project Ready College Access Program
Project Ready is one of NUL’s signature programs. Through this program, high school students get academic and social support while they prepare for college. The Project Ready curriculum entails three critical components:
- Academic Development
- Social Development
- Cultural and Global Awareness
To help facilitate success, each student creates an Individual College Development Plan (ICDP), which is a set of precise and personalized outcomes for achievement. The ICDP process provides each student with a clear, and understandable plan of action, and students’ progress is closely monitored by an advisor.
The Project Ready program can really help faciliate your succcess and help you reach your goals. If you’re a high school student or you know a high school student that could benefit from Project Ready, get empowered and take the pledge now!
Other Education Activities
In addition to the direct service programs described above, the Indianapolis Urban League has formed a collaborative initiative with the Indiana State Teachers Association and other key organizations in our community to identify and develop strategies to close the academic achievement gaps between minority and majority students in our public schools.
The President/CEO is a member and involved in the following:
GRADES – Group for Renewal, Accountability and Development of Excellence in Schools
This organization was formed to assist Indianapolis Public Schools in achieving educational excellence, equality and efficiency. It is made up of leaders of organizations working towards the same purpose.
Project for School Readiness – Success by Six
The purpose of this project is to conduct research and/or study other states and communities that are achieving greater academic success and accomplishments, identify those things that contribute to the greater successes and work to implement those things identified to be appropriate for our community. IUL collaborates with other Urban League affiliates on this project.
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Educational Council
The Council is the primary advisor to the Chamber’s Board of Directors on education and workforce.