Playground Page

What is the “YES” program? 

YES Indy – is designed to provide guidance, resources, and direction for Opportunity Youth and local community organizations. The YES Program supports and guides young adults ages 16-24 towards a promising career and future. Self-worth, personal balance, critical thinking, social skills, and workplace readiness are some of the tools obtained through the YES program. More information about the YES program can be found at www.yesindy317.org

If you are not enrolled in school and in need of additional opportunities/resources contact our YES Career Navigators: 

• Sharleigh Poindexter- spoindexter@cafeindy.org (317) 890-3288 Ext 116 
• Chris Hill - chill@cafeindy.org at (317) 890-3288 Ext 113 

YES Program Services: 

• Find a great job
• Earn vocational certifications
• Enroll in college
• Jumpstart career
• Obtain your HSE
• Paid work experience

The Teen Employment Camp is a paid six-week career and leadership development camp for Far Eastside students ages 15 - 18. The program is designed to give participants internship experience in a career of their interests by working half days and then returning to CAFE in the afternoon for workshops and training.  The summer teen employment camp also includes guest speakers and college tours. Students will earn a weekly stipend for their time and commitment to the program. Interested candidates must be enrolled in high school, a far eastside resident, complete an application by the deadline, and participate in an interview process. 

Applications will open April 2021. For more information about the program or if your company/organization is interested in contributing to this program please contact: Tiara Nibbs, Student Success Coach at (317) 890-3288 Ext 129 or email tnibbs@cafeindy.org 

Partner Place is a free senior day adult program that operates Monday-Thursday 9 am-2 pm and offers a place for Far Eastside seniors to gather with other seniors in the community to establish important relationships by socializing and having fun. Continued education is also part of the partner place program on topics such as health concerns within the senior community that focus on physical, mental, emotional, and sexual health.  

Daily activities include a social hour, nutritional lunch offered by Central Indiana Council on Aging (CICOA), arts and craft, guest speakers, modified exercise, line dancing, or offsite trip (some trips may cost and fees will be communicated with participants in advance of the trip). 

To participate in this program you must be 55+, available to attend daily, and a far eastside resident. Space is limited however participants may be accepted on a rolling basis. 

For further information and to receive a calendar of events contact Caryn Smola at (317) 890-3288 Ext 132  csmola@cafeindy.org.  

Great Families is a 2Gen program opportunity for families, focused on parents and children simultaneously with the purpose of providing pathways for their success and stability through education, financial security, and overall health.  Once enrolled in the Great Families program, families will receive one-on-one coaching sessions where they are able to set up their short and long-term goals, receive referrals, resources, and financial support based on their needs. Children have the opportunity to receive tutoring/mentoring sessions between other educational resources. Thus, each family would be able to meet with the Family Support Couch (case manager), the Financial Coach, and the Student Success Coach, and other CAFE’s coaches as needed.

• Family Support Coach meets with the parents to discuss overall family needs such as health, education, and referral to additional community supports.
• Student Success Coach meets with the students for tutoring and other learning opportunities.
• Financial Coach meets with the parent one-on-one to discuss all things money such as budgeting, credit building, and saving.

CAFE has partnered with several far eastside schools to create a referral process to provide comprehensive services for selected students and their families. The approach is wrap-around services for the student and family to promote success for the entire family.  Families work with our Student Success Coach, Family Support Coach, and Financial Coach as one unit to provide resources and services for families while the Student Success Coach simultaneously provides support for the student with services specific to the students' needs.   

Core Components

CAFE will provide key components of 2Gen services for families related to education, securing and maintaining employment, health, and wellbeing, community engagement, and identifying and acquiring assets to encourage upward mobility including:

• Bundled services: Employment assistance, financial coaching, income supports, basic education, and language learning based on each individual’s needs.
• Family goal setting: Once a family is enrolled in the program, our coaches will work with them to establish goals specific to their needs.
• Student education: Children will have access to additional educational tools and support in conjunction with participating school curriculum.

Do I Qualify?

• Do you have a child or children in grades K – 5th?
• Do they attend the following schools: (list the schools)

To qualify for the program, one of your children must be between Kindergarten and 5th grade and attend one of the following partner schools: 

• Charles W. Fairbanks (IPS#105)                     
• Lakeside Elementary
• Circle City Prep
• Tindley Summit Academy
• Phalen Leadership Academy (IPS#103) 
• George Buck School (IPS#94)
• Harrison Hill Elementary

For more information about the Family Opportunity Fund program from UWCI:

https://uwci.org/family-opportunity-fund/

For more information contact: Rosana Marin, Family Support Coach at 317.890.3288 ext 119 rmarin@cafeindy.org.

L.I.F.E. Changers is a re-entry program with the main goal of preventing recidivism by providing intervention services to individuals experiencing unique challenges related to rebuilding their lives after convictions and returning home after incarceration. Eligible participants must be Marion Co residents, with a criminal history creating barriers to re-integrating into society.

L.I.F.E. Changers:

• Job Placement
• Obtaining State ID
• Obtaining Driver’s License
• Criminal Expungement Assistance
• Housing Assistance
• Case Management
• Earning an HSE/GED
• Job Readiness
• Life Skills

If you would like to enroll in the L.I.F.E. Changers program contact David Davis; Re-Entry Case Manager 317.890.3288 ext 123 ddavis@cafeindy.org