Local Partnerships Key to Providing Training and Opportunities

A popular hobby among youth in Indianapolis, Alonzo came to Flanner House every day to play basketball. He didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life yet and hadn’t set any goals for the future. However, he knew he wanted to live on his own, be his own man, and stand on his own two feet.

Alonzo enrolled in the IT Foundations cohort program with the Be Nimble Foundation, a self-guided training available to Flanner House of Indianapolis and other Bridges sites through the LISC Indianapolis Healthy Bridges to Careers in Tech initiative. The cohort is a part of Eli Lilly’s Skills First program, focused on empowering and providing opportunities to Black and Latinx professionals. Upon completion of the program, candidates are eligible to interview with Eli Lilly for extended apprenticeship opportunities. Typically, the program takes nine months to complete, but Alonzo committed himself to graduating early as a gift to his coach, Candias Scott-Moore, who serves as Relationships Manager at Flanner House.

With hard work and dedication, Alonzo graduated with his IT Foundations certification two days before Christmas. The program consisted of nine courses with thirty-one assignments per course, which shows this was not an easy accomplishment and speaks to Alonzo’s work ethic and determination. This was Flanner House’s first year of partnering with the Skills First program and Alonzo serves as a great representation for the organization and a young pioneer for others pursuing a career in the tech industry.

“Since connecting with me, Alonzo has really become more outgoing and confident in his ability to trust in himself. With the building of his confidence, I have noticed a different pep to his step and it's truly refreshing,” said Alonzo’s coach at Flanner House.

Currently, Alonzo is working at the BMV while he explores tech opportunities from area employers. His ultimate goal is to receive a job offer from Eli Lilly.

“I am so proud of Alonzo for not getting discouraged and pushing forward with his courses,” said his coach, “He never wavered from the goals he set for himself.”

Healthy Bridges to Careers in Tech is a LISC Indianapolis pilot program built on the premise that holding a high-wage promising job with the right wraparound supports, is key to participants achieving self-sufficiency. The program addresses the diversity gap in the technology sector and improves access to behavioral health services in the Black community. Building on LISC's digital skilling and coaching work with neighborhood partners, this program incorporates tech-focused Bridge programming, career pathways, and behavioral health supports to increase access for communities historically excluded from the tech sector. This program is supported by the Indianapolis Urban League’s Indianapolis Quality of Life Initiative.