Hannah Swogger

Community partners to host Peace Walk in honor of National Youth Violence Prevention Week /*! elementor – v3.20.0 – 06-03-2024 */.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a […]

Indianapolis Mayor's Youth Leadership Council accepting applications for 2024-2025Media Contact Hannah Swogger || 317.921.1266 ext. 104 hannah.swogger@mccoyouth.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Indianapolis Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council […]

Announcing MCCOY Youth Day at the Statehouse 2024 /*! elementor – v3.19.0 – 22-01-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Join MCCOY at the Statehouse on Presidents Day: February 19, 2024Join youth from all over Indiana to watch the Indiana General Assembly in Action. Families and youth groups are invited to participate in this engaging event, which will include opportunities to:Meet lawmakers tell them what is important to you. Meet other youth advocates. Learn about other youth advocacy groups. Observe committee hearings and watch voting.Be an advocate for positive change in Indiana!Registration Requirements:All youth 17 and under must be registered with and accompanied by an adult at this event.For group registrations, we require one adult chaperone per 10 youth.Registration deadline is February 11, 2024. Register your group Share this event with partners, youth organizations, and families using this helpful communications toolkit. See social media graphics, handouts, sample language for inviting students in your youth program, and much more. Communications Toolkit FAQ What’s the agenda for the day? /*! elementor – v3.19.0 – 22-01-2024 */ .elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block} AgendaYouth Day at the Statehouse, February 19, 2024 at the Indiana StatehouseThe agenda offers many opportunities and options for groups to adapt to their own interests and needs. We also will have many options for on-your-own activities that can be completed anytime during the day, including a station to write postcards to your elected officials, a scavenger hunt (with prizes!), and much more.9:00 AM – Check-In begins9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Committee Hearings9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Youth Advocacy Resource Fair10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Morning tour of the Statehouse12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch and Youth Day at the Statehouse Program1:00 PM – House and Senate sessions begin2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Afternoon tour of the StatehouseA full details of activities and events for the day can be found in our agenda. Full Agenda How can I spread the word about Youth Day at the Statehouse? Communications ToolkitShare this event with partners, youth organizations, and families using this helpful communications toolkit. See social media graphics, handouts, sample language for inviting students in your youth program, and much more. See the Toolkit What should I wear? We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for lots of walking. There will be places to hang your coat, but remember where you place your coat so you can grab it at the end of the day. February in Indiana is cold!CAN you dress up for this event? Absolutely! If you hope to share your thoughts with lawmakers it doesn’t hurt to dress business casual or business professional, though that is not a requirement for this event. Is the building ADA Accessible? There is an accessible entrance on the first floor, on the WEST side of the statehouse. There are also elevators in the building. For more information about accessibility at the statehouse, please email: ADAhelp@iga.in.gov Where do I park? BusesBuses typically offload by the Capitol Street entrance (on the East side of the Statehouse). Bus parking is available for $20 at the Indianapolis Zoo down the street.CarsWe recommend arriving early to get parking. There are several parking garages surrounding the Indiana Statehouse, Including Premier Parking, Republic Parking, and the Claypool Parking Garage.  What if I can’t make it to MCCOY’s Youth Day at the Statehouse? There are so many ways to stay engaged and connected to the Indiana General Assembly if you can’t make it in-person! Check out our Advocacy Resources page for all the best videos about the legislative process and how to contact your legislator about the issues YOU care about. /*! elementor – v3.19.0 – 22-01-2024 */ .elementor-widget-video .elementor-widget-container{overflow:hidden;transform:translateZ(0)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{aspect-ratio:var(–video-aspect-ratio)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{height:100%;width:100%;display:flex;border:none;background-color:#000}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% / var(–video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-open-inline .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-size:cover;background-position:50%}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{cursor:pointer;text-align:center}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay:hover .elementor-custom-embed-play i{opacity:1}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{display:block;width:100%;aspect-ratio:var(–video-aspect-ratio);-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:center center;object-position:center center}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% / var(–video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .e-hosted-video .elementor-video{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-video,.e-con>.elementor-widget-video{width:var(–container-widget-width);–flex-grow:var(–container-widget-flex-grow)} Where do I go when I arrive at the Statehouse? Check-In will be in the North Atrium of the Statehouse on the Second Floor (Ground Level).The Statehouse is a big place! That’s why we have a map to help you find check-in and find all the opportunities available to you in this interactive event. Download the Statehouse Map and see below for where MCCOY staff will be ready to welcome you and provide materials on the day of the event: Who is the event contact? If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to reach out to sarah.kumfer@mccoyouth.org What can I do to prepare for Youth Day at the Statehouse? Browse the page below for videos providing background on the Indiana General Assembly, what to expect for the event, and some tips on navigating the General Assembly website. These resources can help you be prepared to make the most of Youth Day at the Statehouse. AgendaYouth Day at the Statehouse, February 19, 2024 at the Indiana StatehouseThe agenda offers many opportunities and options for groups to adapt to their own interests and needs. We also will have many options for on-your-own activities that can be completed anytime during the day, including a station to write postcards to your elected officials, a scavenger hunt (with prizes!), and much more.9:00 AM – Check-In begins9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Committee Hearings9:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Youth Advocacy Resource Fair10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Morning tour of the Statehouse12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch and Youth Day at the Statehouse Program1:00 PM – House and Senate sessions begin2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Afternoon tour of the StatehouseA full details of activities and events for the day can be found in our agenda. Full Agenda Communications ToolkitShare this event with partners, youth organizations, and families using this helpful communications toolkit. See social media graphics, handouts, sample language for inviting students in your youth program, and much more. See the Toolkit We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for lots of walking. There will be places to hang your coat, but remember where you place your coat so you can grab it at the end of the day. February in Indiana is cold!CAN you dress up for this event? Absolutely! If you hope to share your thoughts with lawmakers it doesn’t hurt to dress business casual or business professional, though that is not a requirement for this event.There is an accessible entrance on the first floor, on the WEST side of the statehouse. There are also elevators in the building. For more information about accessibility at the statehouse, please email: ADAhelp@iga.in.govBusesBuses typically offload by the Capitol Street entrance (on the East side of the Statehouse). Bus parking is available for $20 at the Indianapolis Zoo down the street.CarsWe recommend arriving early to get parking. There are several parking garages surrounding the Indiana Statehouse, Including Premier Parking, Republic Parking, and the Claypool Parking Garage.  There are so many ways to stay engaged and connected to the Indiana General Assembly if you can’t make it in-person! Check out our Advocacy Resources page for all the best videos about the legislative process and how to contact your legislator about the issues YOU care about.https://youtu.be/AMUg6DDmjmkCheck-In will be in the North Atrium of the Statehouse on the Second Floor (Ground Level).The Statehouse is a big place! That’s why we have a map to help you find check-in and find all the opportunities available to you in this interactive event. Download the Statehouse Map and see below for where MCCOY staff will be ready to welcome you and provide materials on the day of the event: If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to reach out to sarah.kumfer@mccoyouth.orgBrowse the page below for videos providing background on the Indiana General Assembly, what to expect for the event, and some tips on navigating the General Assembly website. These resources can help you be prepared to make the most of Youth Day at the Statehouse. Become a SponsorWe are still accepting sponsors for this event. Don’t miss this opportunity to support youth engagement and lift up youth voices at the Statehouse! Become a Sponsor Materials to Prepare for MCCOY’s Youth Day at the StatehouseBrowse the below resources and share them with your youth group ahead of Youth Day at the Statehouse to learn more about the legislative process and ways to be involved in advocacy in Indiana.https://youtu.be/Cjrg8l … Announcing MCCOY Youth Day at the Statehouse 2024Read More »

Q&A with Liz Coit Starting January 2024, MCCOY will welcome Elizabeth (Liz) Coit as our next executive director to bring a new era of leadership for youth development in […]

Elizabeth Coit to serve as MCCOY's next Executive Director MCCOY (Marion County Commission on Youth) announced today that Elizabeth Coit will serve as its next Executive Director beginning January 2024. She will […]

Youth Worker Well-Being Project Webinar & Regional Events … Youth Worker Well-Being Project Webinar & Regional EventsRead More »

Emerging Leaders of Color RFPIndiana … Emerging Leaders of Color RFPRead More »

Indiana expands tutoring grants to more students and increases the maximum state fundingFrom Chalkbeat:Indiana is expanding its grant program for tutoring that it launched last fall to cover middle school students, as well as more elementary schoolers, the state education department announced Thursday.   In addition, the maximum grant award for Indiana Learns, which provides grants to students to use for tutoring and academic programs that meet “learning partner” requirements, is increasing to $1,000. The new maximum award of $1,000 is available to students who are new to the program and those who signed up earlier.The state first rolled out Indiana Learns last fall in response to learning loss in the wake of the pandemic. Originally geared towards students in fourth and fifth grades, the program is now open to any student in third through eighth grade who qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, and whose scores on state math or English language arts tests were below proficien … Indiana expands tutoring grants to more students and increases the maximum state fundingRead More »

Meet our eCPR Trainer: Kim Ewinghttps: … Meet our eCPR Trainer: Kim EwingRead More »

MCCOY Joins Partners to Visit Historic Whitely Neighborhood in Muncie /*! elementor – v3.13.0 – 04-05-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a […]

MCCOY Executive Director John Brandon to Retire after 30 Years Serving Youth & Families After three decades leading youth initiatives in Indianapolis, John Brandon, MCCOY (Marion County Commission On Youth) President and Executive Director, will retire at the end of this year. Brandon’s last year is also MCCOY’s 30th anniversary. Brandon’s leadership has left an undeniable mark on the field of youth work, and his impact will be felt for years to come in the transformative work of MCCOY and partner organizations.Brandon’s leadership has firmly established MCCOY as a pillar of the community, connecting leaders to create a better world for young people to grow, learn and thrive. MCCOY has been instrumental in establishing a foundation for the network of youth services we have today in Indianapolis. In 1998, MCCOY led the Youth Outcomes Educational Initiative, bringing together several hundred youth organizations to identify desirable outcomes for all youth in Indianapolis.“That was a key moment because it really put the focus on positive youth development in Indianapolis, and people embraced that,” said Brandon. “It brought people together and created positive language around youth development in Indianapolis that’s still used today.”MCCOY expanded its impact by connecting leaders and building better systems of support for young people. Today, MCCOY has representation in 15 coalitions, partnerships, and leadership committees focused on youth interests.Based on an expressed need for more information about youth programs in the city, MCCOY launched the Youth Activity Directory in 1997. The directory has become an annual publication, with more than 350,000 free copies distributed since its inception, connecting families to hundreds of programs every year. MCCOY also has an established partnership with the Indy Summer Youth Program Fund to promote and support quality programs for young people in Indianapolis, a relationship that continues today. /*! elementor – v3.11.5 – 14-03-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=”.svg”]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} MCCOY’s work recognizes the importance of quality when it comes to programs that serve youth. Since 2009, MCCOY has facilitated a cohort of youth programs each year for Summer Learning Program Quality Intervention assessments, offering nationally-recognized assessment, training, and technical assistance to participating youth-serving organizations.MCCOY’s commitment to equitable youth development has led the organization to seek more and more opportunities to collaborate with and cultivate growth among partners working throughout the city. MCCOY’s Learning Network sessions are designed to help build knowledge and best practices for youth workers and leaders, and are offered for free or very low cost as part of MCCOY’s focus on equity in youth work. “In our capacity building work, we try to be asset focused and relational,” said Brandon. “We recognize the importance of the lived experiences of the people we work with. We want to work alongside our partners, not parachute in and give them the answers and walk away. We recognize the strength of the people we are working with.”It was a need for equitable leadership and high regard for youth voice that compelled Brandon and MCCOY to collaborate with Leadership Indianapolis and Indianapolis Mayor  Joe Hogsett in 2018 to re-establish the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council (MYLC). MYLC acts as a youth advisory group and has since allowed over 125 young people to inform the mayor on policies and practices concerning youth in the community.“John Brandon knows that when leaders make decisions that impact young people, they must include young voices in the process,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “He has led MCCOY to be the champion of Marion County youth that it is today, and his impact will continue to be felt in the work of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council.”MCCOY also centers youth voices in its advocacy efforts, promoting legislation that benefits young people and families. MCCOY was instrumental in establishing the youth bus pass program with IndyGo and advocating for legislation that transformed bullying prevention efforts in Indiana schools and kept juveniles from being tried as adults in the justice system. Reflecting on 30 years of impact as MCCOY’s leader, Brandon is optimistic about the future for youth work and the outlook for young people in the city. But he notes that today’s youth need support more now than ever. “Youth-serving organizations in Indianapolis are willing to come together to make things happen for young people today,” Brandon says. “There’s still work to be done, and the community is ready to address the challenges youth face. MCCOY is positioned well to continue to grow and facilitate that collaboration years into the future.” MCCOY is launching into the future with new projects that address the needs of today’s youth. The Closing the Gap initiative is bringing families, educators, community leaders, and young people together to build school-community partnerships that surround families with essential resources and programs. MCCOY is expanding its Mental Health Matters initiative, including resources, events, trainings, and mental health services with an emphasis on serving BIPOC community members in Indianapolis. Through continued advocacy efforts, MCCOY is currently advocating to protect teachers and librarians from censorship and is influencing legislative changes in the areas of juvenile justice reform, college readiness, and LGBTQ+ rights for youth.As MCCOY turns the page to enter a new chapter in its leadership, board and staff members will have more than a few tears to shed while saying goodbye.“John’s never-ending encouragement to all of us to always strive toward building a community that fully embraces our young people is perhaps his greatest legacy,” said Linda Kirby, board chair for MCCOY. “Because of his tenacious leadership, we have a community that has made great strides in lifting up our youth, and an organization that is ready for our next leader to hit the ground running and take us into the future.”MCCOY looks forward to a bright future serving youth in Indianapolis. The board has commissioned Talbott Talent to engage a nation-wide search for the next executive director.Until the next chapter begins, MCCOY offers a heartfelt congratulations to John Brandon and a sincere thanks for his incredible 30 years serving youth and families in o … MCCOY Executive Director John Brandon to Retire after 30 Years Serving Youth & FamiliesRead More »

Child Abuse Prevention MonthAs we celebrate the start of … Child Abuse Prevention MonthRead More »

Legislative Half-TimeLegislative halftime has come to pass, and MCCOY has updates on bills impacting youth in Indiana! Scroll below to see our updates on different bills and […]

Teen Dating Violence Prevention Fact Sheet /*! elementor – … Teen Dating Violence Prevention Fact SheetRead More »

MCCOY is looking to rehome some office furniture – free to anyone who can pick it up during business hours. Includes two sturdy wooden desks (65.5 inches long with pull out keyboard shelf and drawers on both […]

Throughout October we have shared events, resources, and facts related to domestic violence awareness month and bullying awareness month. MCCOY is dedicated to continue advocating for families and children to live […]

Our first featured summer success story comes from Shonna Majors with Brightwood Community Center. Shonna shares about Erin, a young person in Central Indiana who excelled this summer with Brightwood’s […]

Did you know that Hispanic/Latino and Black LGBTQ+ Hoosier youth are more likely to report wanting mental health care but not receiving it compared to other racial and ethnic groups? We know that our community has […]

On Monday, Indiana lawmakers will review SB 1, a bill proposing to ban most abortions in our state with some exceptions, including rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities, and threat to the life of the pregnant […]

MCCOY, Inc. has added Juneteenth as a staff holiday, beginning June 2022 as part of our organizational Equity Commitment. Adopted as a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is a day for celebration and reflection.  […]