IndyGo Foundation receives grant to boost diverse recruitment efforts

Credit: IndyGo

The IndyGo Foundation has announced that it will receive a $240,900 grant from the Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative (IAAQLI) over a two-year period. With these funds, the foundation, in partnership with the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo), will aim to enhance recruitment efforts to connect 250 members of African American and other minority communities, including those previously involved in the justice system, into high-wage, stable employment at the public transit agency.

The grant will also support the creation of a new community recruitment manager, which will be responsible for creating new and innovative hiring strategies to meet the agency’s employment needs, while specifically targeting bus drivers and mechanics. 

Currently, IndyGo has a shortage of 150 drivers needed to operate its routes as intended. In addition, minority populations are impacted by systemic failures that have resulted in a lack of access to well-paying jobs with long-term advancement and career potential.  

Intelligent Transport Podcast Episode 19 – Emily Meaux and Lacey Everett, IndyGo Foundation

“The employee shortage that IndyGo and other transit agencies across the country are experiencing impacts the performance of the entire bus system,” said IndyGo President and CEO Inez Evans. “Filling these open positions, while supporting our minority populations, will allow IndyGo to improve service reliability and quality of life for residents through employment.”  

“This grant presented the unique opportunity to solve several challenges with the same solution,” said IndyGo Foundation Executive Director Emily Meaux. “Connecting African Americans and other minority populations, particularly those served by our non-profit partners, with rewarding careers at IndyGo will not only benefit the individual and IndyGo, but also all of IndyGo’s riders.”  

With the introduction and hiring of IndyGo’s new community recruitment manager position, the agency will build relationships with community-based organisations that serve minority communities, some of which the foundation has an existing relationship with, such the Public Action in Correctional Effort. The community recruitment manager will also support IndyGo’s Second Chance hiring initiative, which is intended to promote re-entry into the workforce and increase the pool of qualified job applicants.