EASY (Essential Aid & Services for Youth) Book Now Available

The EASY Book is Back!
We've heard that the recession may be coming to an end. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean an end to the struggles faced by families in central Indiana. Fortunately, the EASY Book provides a directory to local organizations that can help. It includes tips, hotline numbers and contact information for central Indiana organizations that provide a wide range of family and support services – from help with basic needs to parenting-skills development to assistance with home ownership.

Reserve Your EASY Books Now:
Complete the reservation form online or download the form.

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Quick & Easy EASY Book Pick-Up
United Way Garage, August 26th: 8a - 4p
Just pull up and will load your EASY Books into your car. Our Youth Activity Directory will also be available. Just submit your reservation form (see link above) so that we have your order ready. Get map/directions.

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Help Us Get The EASY to the People Who Need it Most
Is your organization open & accessible to the general public?
If you answered yes, consider joining our distribution network. As an EASY Book/YAD distributor, you simply agree to stock the EASY Book and/or YAD so they are readily available to the families you serve and provide basic tracking & evaluation so that we can continue to improve EASY and YAD!

MCCOY provides everything you need: the books, promotional materials and tracking sheets. In addition, we'll include links to your website & location on our website and as part of our marketing efforts for the YAD/EASY Book.

If you're interested in offering the people you work with a valuable tool for accessing the resources they need to build stronger families, just email Chris or call 317-921-1286.

Everyday Champion: Trevor Holloway

This story is a part of our Everyday Champions series. Helping youth succeed takes commitment and action from our whole community. Everyday Champions are people who are committed and who act in small and big ways to support youth in central Indiana. Do you know someone who you think would make a great Champion for Youth? Click here to get started.

We're thrilled to feature Trevor Holloway in this edition of Everyday Champions. Trevor, a recent graduate of North Central High School, is also a MCCOY Board Member. This summer, in addition to getting ready to head off to college in Bloomington, Trevor has been assisting MCCOY staff with the upcoming Summit for Student Success. He's been a joy to have in the office, not only for his remarkable skills and fun personality, but also for his engagement and excitement for youth development.

What is your profession or vocation?
I’m a recent graduate of North Central High School and about to start my first year at the Kelley School of Business of Indiana University Bloomington. As a direct admit, I plan to study Public Policy Analysis and International Business. I plan to be a millionaire by age 27.

How are you an Everyday Champion for Youth?
I have been involved with MCCOY since my sophomore year of high school. I am a board member and serve on various committees. This summer I am volunteering at MCCOY helping out with various tasks. I also do some work with the JCC Teen House and David Waldman. It’s a good gig. Last summer I traveled between community centers and spoke to at-risk youth about life skills and values.

What impact do you hope to make on youth?
I don’t know if I’m really focused on one specific endeavor. I just understand the struggle that youth go through. No matter what background, being a youth is challenging and when I help by providing resources to make life easier for youth and their families, it is one of the most fulfilling things.

What’s one thing that you wish an adult had told you when you were a young person?
Hah. I am still young. I think I have had adults tell me plenty of good things but it was usually more of a challenge to get me to listen to what they were saying. Something that I wish an adult had told me and that I had listened to would be to think long-term.

What do you want to do next to support youth?
Well I plan to continue to work with MCCOY in some capacity even when I’m away at IU. But short-term I will continue to help out MCCOY staff members around the office, and long-term I will be the biggest philanthropist in the USA.

Business and Community Leaders to Share Insight on How Community Can Champion Youth

MCCOY announced its line-up of breakout presenters for Central Indiana’s Summit for Student Success: Bringing the Community Together to Tackle the Dropout Challenge, which will be held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, August 10, 2009. Presenters include Nick Weber, Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis, Rick Fuson, Executive Senior VP for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Dr. Jackie Greenwood, Director of Secondary Schools for IPS, Bill Corley, President & CEO of Community Health Network and David Harris, President & CEO of the Mind Trust.
Read full article.

Indianapolis Celebrates National Summer Learning Day: Photos

Children filed into the gymnasium at St. Richard School on Thursday, July 9th, joining community leaders, youth workers and other caring adults to celebrate National Summer Learning Day. Filling the bleachers, they cheered as Willis Bright, Director of Youth Programs at Lilly Endowment, asked them if they were learning new skills and having fun in programs this summer. Through performances and discussion, these youth shared the great experiences they are having while participating in programs that provide safe places, opportunities for learning, and fun activities throughout the summer.

Read more & see photos from the event.

Registration Now Open for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success

Keynote Speakers to Include Tarik Glenn, Tony Bennett and Karen Pittman
MCCOY announced that registration opened this week for Central Indiana's Summit for Student Success: Bringing the Community Together to Tackle the Dropout Challenge, which will be held at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, August 10, 2009. Keynote speakers include Tarik Glenn, former Colts offensive tackle and Founder of D.R.E.A.M. Alive, Dr. Tony Bennett, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana, and Karen Pittman, Executive Director of the Forum for Youth Investment in Washington, DC.
Read full article.

Everyone has A Stake in the Positive Development of Youth

The Case for a Community Compact for Youth
By Christopher Collins

As a city and as a community, we like to say that we make young people a priority, particularly when we talk about education. Words, however, are easy. Putting young people at the center of the discussion and making their success a true priority takes innovation and a willingness to re-think our assumptions.

Making sure kids have better opportunities and healthier futures isn’t only the job of teachers, or youth workers, or parents. It is everyone’s responsibility, and no matter what you do for a living, whether you have kids in your life or not, you play an important role. Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) has created a series of Community Compacts for Youth – informal agreements that let you demonstrate ways you support the young people in your life and in our community. Now, beyond simply saying young people’s healthy development is important, you can show it.

Read complete article.

Summer and Learning Make a Great Team

Thursday, July 9th is National Summer Learning Day. That's right-contrary to popular belief, summer and learning DO go together and young people across our community are the direct beneficiaries of this new way of thinking. If young people are going to do well in school and be fully prepared for the world of work, they need year-round opportunities to learn more and build essential skills. It is past time that we revise our notion that summertime is when learning takes a vacation.
Read full article.