We CANN Champions
Empowering youth and young adults who are high-risk for involvement in a violent crime and who are between the ages of 18 to 26 with the aim that they will become civic minded employed members of the community.
Creating Community's Champions
CAGI’s We CANN CHAMPIONS Program is an evidence-based approach to decreasing crime and health disparities. This work strongly engages youth between the ages of 18 to 24 to become emerging resident leaders, better known as CHAMPIONS, who actively link members of the community to opportunities, resources, and solutions for self-development and a better quality of life.
Each recruit falls into at least three categories: Ages 18 to 26, at risk of dropping out or have dropped out of high school, not employed or under employed, reside in 46218, 46205, 46226 or 46235 zip codes, currently or have been involved in the criminal justice system as a juvenile or an adult and parenting or pregnant.
How We Support
These CHAMPIONS work with a Community Engagement Coach to learn community organizing and leadership skills. With these skills, CHAMPIONS serve 20 hours a week engaging residents who reside within the Indy HeartBeat Focus Area. Each CHAMPION will connect to a Success Coach or social worker that will support them with the development of an Achievement Plan. A Success Coach will walk alongside each CHAMPION over the course of the 22-week program to assure progress towards the achievement of their goals.
Meet a Champion
Shamont Yarbrough
“I’ve learned so much since coming to We CANN. I have so many positive experiences that I wouldn’t have gotten if not for We CANN. I’m thankful to my We CANN job coach for connecting me to this opportunity at 2nd Helpings. I had to put in an application and then be interviewed. My coach helped me through this process. Then I had to wait to see if I would be selected into the program. I had to draw on my courage. When I complete the program in a few more weeks, I will have more certifications and Ivy Tech credits.”
The We CANN Collaborative
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, (CAGI) case management
Indy HeartBeat (Eskenazi/Marion County Public Health Department)
Groundwork Indy
Marian University, Adult Basic Education
Martindale-Brightwood Workforce Development, (MBWD)
One Heart Indiana, Coaching and Mentoring
Community Resource Team (CRT)
EmployIndy Pivot/ Huddle
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