Areas Served: All of Marion County
Organization Address: 975 Burdsal Parkway Indianapolis, IN 46268
Age Groups/Grades Served: 14 to 24 Years Old

Activities take place in Near Northwest Area.

Groundwork Indy has two youth development programs: the Green Team, which employs in-school youth ages 14-18, is focused on building leadership skills, environmental awareness, and life skills; and GroundCorp, which employs out-of-school youth ages 16-24, and is focused on job training and job preparedness.

GREEN TEAM (SUMMER PROGRAM APPLICATION):

Green Team members participate in the program during the school year and the summer, taking part in hands-on improvement projects, helping to lead local environmental initiatives, learning more about local food and nutrition through gardening, conducting outreach to their peers, and various service projects. The program develops leadership and environmental stewardship, and has both a training and service component, with STEM principle learning, field trips, camping, art, films, and group research and discussion that contextualizes the work before and after youth make improvements in their community. Green Team youth will participate in GWUSA’s National Green Team Summit each year, and visit local, state, and national parks to participate in service learning opportunities.

By engaging teens in advocacy and service-learning efforts aimed at waterways, parks, and open spaces, the Green Team program fosters awareness and understanding of the natural environment, local food systems, and the need for the protection and restoration of critical ecological systems and natural resources in our city.

GROUNDCORP:

GroundCorp is an environmental stewardship, landscape design-build, and maintenance service. GroundCorp members work part time, receiving valuable, paid, hands-on experience, while also participating in structured, life-skills and job preparedness training provided by program partners. The program also coordinates job placement assistance for participants looking for full-time, permanent employment. GroundCorp projects demonstrate urban landscape restoration and stormwater management best practices, contributing to the health and vitality of Indianapolis.