New Beginnings Program
The Indianapolis Urban League’s New Beginnings Program is designed to help individuals successfully transition from assistance, incarceration, unemployment or underemployment to self-sufficiency. The program assists individuals 18 years of age and older (non-violent & non-sexual offenders) who are unemployed or underemployed and/or are currently receiving TANF or food assistance in Marion County or surrounding counties. New Beginnings offers workforce development workshops over a two-week period (9:00am-1:00pm) covering topics ranging from goal setting, diversity in the workplace, utilizing social media, resume and cover letter writing to interviewing and job retention strategies. After successfully completing the program, participants graduate from the program and receive priority job placement assistance with our Preferred Employers. Since its January 2014 implementation, the New Beginnings Program has enrolled over 1,100 participants, retained 93%, and placed 80% in employment.
A New Beginnings program participant must successfully complete the 10-day training program (4 hours each day) before being referred to any other training program or receive intensive supportive services from the IUL. Successful program completers will have demonstrated a willingness and desire to complete an intensive work readiness training program to improve their employability skills and knowledge. Mastering these skills will help them to seek, secure and retain employment, which increases their chances to become self-sufficient.
Active program participants and program completers who successfully complete the New Beginnings Program are eligible to utilize the Resource Center to update resumes, cover letters, send faxes to employers, and complete on-line applications or other job search activities. Successful program completers will also be eligible to seek admission into the following IUL Workforce Development programs or services:
- Community Access & Reintegration Efforts (CARE) Program (Ex-Offenders)
- Intensive Work Readiness Assistance (New Beginnings and Professional Advantage completers only)
- Professional Advantage Boot Camp (New Beginnings participants ineligible for enrollment)
- Preferred Employer Program
Anyone interested in the New Beginnings Program or other IUL Workforce Development Programs should contact the Indianapolis Urban League at (317) 693-7603 for additional information.
2020 New Beginnings Program
Workshops, Events and Town Hall Meetings
All New Beginnings Information Sessions and Workshops are hosted at the Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Free parking available in the Indianapolis Urban League parking lot.
January 2020
New Beginnings Information Session
Thursday, January 16
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
New Beginnings Workshops
Monday, January 21 – Friday, January 31
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
February 2020
New Beginnings Information Session
Thursday, February 13
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
New Beginnings Workshops
Monday, February 17 – Friday, February 28
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
March 2020
New Beginnings Information Session
Thursday, March 12
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
New Beginnings Workshops
Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 27
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
April 2020
IUL Ex-Offender Town Hall Meeting & Panel Discussion
Wednesday, April 1
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Indianapolis Urban League
The Sam H. Jones Center
777 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, 46202
Free parking.
New Beginnings Information Session
Thursday, April 9
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
New Beginnings Workshops
Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 24
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) Spring Career & Resource Fair
Wednesday, April 22
12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 2020
New Beginnings Information Session
Thursday, May 14
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
New Beginnings Workshops
Monday, May 18 – Friday, 29
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
June 2020
New Beginnings Information Session
Thursday, June 11
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
New Beginnings Workshops
Monday, June 15 – Friday, June 26
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
There are no New Beginnings Information Sessions and Workshops in July and December. Workshops will resume August through November.
The Fall and Winter Schedule will post in June 2020.
Professional Advantage Program
The Indianapolis Urban League’s Professional Advantage Program is geared towards assisting individuals with college degrees, professional certifications, and/or at least 10 years of verifiable professional work experience that have struggled with securing employment. The program assists individuals 18 years of age and older who are unemployed or underemployed in Marion County or surrounding counties. Professional Advantage offers workforce development workshops over a three-day period covering topics ranging from networking, branding, key words, industry specific terminology, transferable skills, goal setting, diversity in the workplace, utilizing social media, professional certifications, money management, professional affiliations, resume and cover letter writing to interviewing and job retention strategies. After successfully completing the program, participants receive priority job placement assistance with our Preferred Employers.
A Professional Advantage Program participant must successfully complete the three-day training program (4 hours each day) before being referred to any other training program or receive intensive supportive services from the IUL. Successful program completers will have demonstrated a willingness and desire to complete an intensive work readiness training program to improve their employability skills and knowledge. Mastering these skills will help them to seek, secure and retain employment, which increases their chances to become self-sufficient.
Active program participants and program completers who successfully complete the Professional Advantage Program are eligible to utilize the Resource Center to update resumes, cover letters, send faxes to employers, and complete on-line applications or other job search activities. Successful program completers will also be eligible to seek admission into the following IUL Workforce Development programs or services:
- Community Access & Reintegration Efforts (CARE) Program (Ex-Offenders)
- New Beginnings Program (Must meet eligibility requirements)
- Intensive Work Readiness Assistance (New Beginnings and Professional Advantage completers only)
- Preferred Employer Program
Anyone interested in the Professional Advantage Program or other IUL Workforce Development Programs should contact the Indianapolis Urban League at (317) 693-7603 for additional information.
2020 Professional Advantage Program
Information Sessions and Workshops
All Professional Advantage Information Sessions and Workshops are hosted at the Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Free parking available in the Urban League parking lot.
February/March 2020
Professional Advantage Information Session
Thursday, February 13
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Professional Advantage Workshop
Tuesday, March 3 – Thursday, March 5
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
May/June 2020
Professional Advantage Information Session
Thursday, May 14
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Professional Advantage Workshop
Tuesday, June 2 – Thursday, June 4
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
August/September 2020
Professional Advantage Information Session
Thursday, August 13
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Professional Advantage Workshop
Tuesday, September 1- Thursday, September 3
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Training Works Program
The IUL Training Works Program is designed to provide short-term training and supportive services needed to further develop employability and job training skills in high-demand industry sectors.
The program assists individuals 18 years of age and older who are unemployed or underemployed in Marion County or surrounding counties, and desire to complete short-term training in high-demand industries. Listed below is a partial list of the trainings offered at no cost to eligible and suitable program participants:
- Apartment Maintenance Technology
- CDL Truck Driver Class A & B
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Nurses’ Assistant (CNA)
- Comp TIA A+
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Assisting
- Forklift
- HVAC Maintenance Technician
- Human Resources Assistant
- Microsoft Office Word
- Patient Access Specialist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Quick Books Pro
- Welding
An IUL Training Works Program participant must successfully complete the 10-day New Beginnings Program (4 hours each day) before being referred to any other training program or receive intensive supportive services from the IUL. IUL Training Works participants must also complete a TABE Test onsite and complete 12 hours of classroom hours with Warren Township ABE onsite at the IUL. Although IUL offers many training onsite, program participants are referred to local training providers to complete classes. Eligible program participants will receive free training, books, supplies, transportation (ex.: gas cards and bus passes), uniforms, and other supportive services as needed.
Successful program participants will have demonstrated a willingness and desire to complete a short-term training program to improve their employability skills and knowledge. Mastering these skills and earning an industry recognized credential will help them to seek, secure and retain employment, which increases their chances to become self-sufficient.
Anyone interested in the Professional Advantage Program or other IUL Workforce Development Programs should contact the Indianapolis Urban League at (317) 693-7603 for additional information.
CARE Program
The Indianapolis Urban League’s Community Access & Reintegration Effort (CARE) Program is designed to transition returning citizens back into the community with support in acquiring and retaining employment and reducing recidivism. The goal of the CARE Program is to provide returning citizens a continuum of supportive wraparound services throughout their adjustment to community living over a one-year period. The program assists individuals 18 years of age and older (non-violent & non-sexual offenders) who are unemployed or underemployed and/or are currently receiving TANF or food assistance in Marion County or surrounding counties. CARE participants will have offenses three years old or less or have been released no more than three years.
The Indianapolis Urban League’s New Beginnings Program will serve as an entry point and weeding mechanism to identify clients for the CARE Program. CARE participants complete the two-week New Beginnings Program which covers topics ranging from goal setting, diversity in the workplace, utilizing social media, resume and cover letter writing to interviewing and job retention strategies. CARE participants will also have access to vocational training, financial self-sufficiency, assistance in gaining employment, and other wraparound services as needed. After successfully completing the program, CARE participants receive priority job placement assistance with our Preferred Employers. IUL will also target these services to families and significant others of these clients so that maximum impact results from our wraparound services.
Assisting returning citizens with obtaining employment and reintegrating into the community will contribute to their sense of belonging, give them a positive alternative to the revolving door of incarceration and reduce recidivism. Successful program completers will have demonstrated a willingness and desire to complete an intensive work readiness training program to improve their employability skills and knowledge. Mastering these skills will help them to seek, secure and retain employment, which increases their chances to become self-sufficient and reduce recidivism. All program completers will have successfully completed a minimum of 40 hours in work readiness while co-enrolled in the New Beginnings Program.
Successful CARE program completers will also be eligible to seek admission into the following IUL Workforce Development programs or services:
- Intensive Work Readiness Assistance (New Beginnings, CARE, and Professional Advantage completers only)
- Professional Advantage Boot Camp (Must meet program requirements)
- Preferred Employer Program
Anyone interested in the CARE Program or other IUL Workforce Development Programs should contact the Indianapolis Urban League at (317) 693-7603 for additional information.
Preferred Employers Program
The purpose of the Preferred Employer Program is to assist successful IUL program completers with securing and retaining employment by streamlining the application, screening and hiring process with local employers.
IUL provides the following Workforce Development Programs:
- New Beginnings Program
- Professional Advantage Program
- Preferred Employer Program
- Community Access & Reintegration Efforts (CARE) Program (Ex-Offenders)
Successful program completers will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively conduct a successful job search. Program completers will access multiple job websites, employer job boards, IUL job board, newspapers, etc to research available job openings. IUL will also assist the program completer by providing current job listings from Preferred Employers.
IUL Preferred Employers are local employers from different industries and professions that have agreed to provide IUL with open job listings, in addition to interviewing suitable and eligible IUL program completers on site at the IUL (if applicable) and provide feedback to IUL staff on the participant’s interviewing skills and application status. Preferred Employers will give priority status to applications received by IUL program participants and select suitable and eligible candidates at their discretion. Retention Services will be provided to the Preferred Employer and participant once employment is secured.
IUL realizes that many qualified applicants are unable to secure job interviews or employment due to a number of factors beyond their control, which makes the partnership with local employers even more pressing.
Anyone interested in the Preferred Employer Program or other IUL Workforce Development Programs should contact the Indianapolis Urban League at (317) 693-7603 for additional information.
SAVING OUR SONS PROGRAM
The IUL Saving Our Sons Program is geared towards assisting males ages 18-24 residing in high crime areas with intensive case management, mentoring, mental health counseling, and support in developing and sustaining a healthy lifestyle and relationships.
Customer Service Call Center Training
Contact Bianca Phillips at (317) 693-7603 for program information.