(Lawrenceburg, IN) – The Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board (SEIWIB) is pleased to announce that Duke Energy Foundation has provided the regional nonprofit with $10,000 to assist with JAG expansion and assisting at-risk students.
In 2006, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) was implemented in Indiana. JAG is a dropout prevention program, and in 2011, SEIWIB started its first two programs in Southeast Indiana. At the direction of Governor Eric Holcomb in 2022, JAG expansion has been a priority in the region. There are currently 13 programs, with another seven slated to begin in the fall, and two to three more to begin in early 2025.
Kurt Kegerreis, Executive Director for SEIWIB, praised Duke for their commitment to helping southeast Indiana’s JAG students.
“Duke continues to be an excellent partner in our efforts to lift up these excellent students to reach their full potential,” he said.
With these types of investments, SEIWIB will be able to continue to assist and expand the JAG program in the region.
The current JAG programs in SEIWIB’s 10-county service area are in the following high schools: Brownstown Central High School, Crothersville Jr-Sr High School, Franklin County High School, Jennings County High School, two in Lawrenceburg High School, Madison Consolidated High School, Milan High School, two in Seymour High School, South Dearborn High School, South Ripley High School and JacCenDel High School (currently share one program), and Switzerland County High School.
Future sites are: Greensburg High School, North Decatur High School, South Decatur High School, a second program in Madison Consolidated High School, Southwestern High School, Medora High School, and JacCenDel High School is getting its own program.
The JAG program in Southeast Indiana is operated by River Valley Resources (RVR) on behalf of SEIWIB.
Brad Wood, Chief Operating Officer for RVR, agrees that the Duke funding will provide many more instances to assist JAG students.
“The funding from Duke will open doors for our students to learn foundational employment skills, prepare for their career, and engage with local industry leaders,” he said. “This funding is essential to providing high-quality opportunities across our region. We are grateful for our continued partnership with Duke,” Wood said.
The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting the youth of Southeastern Indiana. The Foundation’s commitment to the students of Southeastern Indiana aligns perfectly with the mission of SEIWIB and the Governor.
“We are thrilled to support JAG and the experiences the program provides for our students in Southeastern Indiana,” said Kylie Foster, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “Financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and skill development are vital for our future workforce, and Kurt and the WorkOne team are doing stellar work for the youth in our community.”
Since 2015, Duke Energy Foundation has invested $157,500 in workforce initiatives of SEIWIB. These investments have funded youth programming (JAG), apprenticeship expansion, and a past grant for substance misuse programming.
(Duke Energy Foundation press release)
