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MCCOY in the News
Empowering the next generation: Central Indiana students thrive in WNBA All-Star Ambassador program
WRTV | July 18, 2025
Twenty-five high school juniors and seniors from Central Indiana are gaining valuable life skills and making lasting memories as they participate in the All-Star Ambassador Program.
The program is a unique initiative spearheaded by the WNBA All-Star Host Committee in collaboration with the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY).
Youth facility gets $1 million in upgrades from WNBA All-Star Host Committee
WISH-TV | July 1, 2025
The WNBA All-Star Host Committee on Tuesday had a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of a legacy project at the Marion County Commission on Youth youth facility on West 16th Street at North Harding Street.
Fewer Indiana kids use tobacco despite more trying nicotine pouches
A new survey found that overall declining tobacco use can be attributed to less e-cigarette use and less cigarette, smokeless tobacco and cigar use in recent years.
Read more…
Liz Coit honored with Anthem Assist Award by Indiana Fever
May 31, 2025
As President of the Marion County Commission on Youth, Liz has been a driving force in supporting local youth and youth-serving nonprofits. She also played a key role in launching the first-ever WNBA All-Star Student Ambassador Program.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Learn more about Anthem Assist
'Things need to change' | Indianapolis community joins rally for peace
WTHR | By Logan Gay | April 26, 2025
Hundreds of people walked with a purpose Friday at a community peace walk at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Indianapolis.
The event is part of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, with a goal to promote unity and nonviolence.
MCCOY, Indianapolis Justice System Leaders hope new council provide solutions to teen violence
WRTV | By Adam Schumes | April 24, 2025
Multiple juveniles ranging in age from 12 to 17 have been arrested in connection with an armed carjacking in Indianapolis. … “We are all getting desperate to sort of figure this out,” Liz Coit, President of MCCOY told WRTV.
As the City of Indianapolis continues to deal with youth violence, the Marion County Commission on Youth says it’s partnering with Indianapolis Justice System Leaders to form a new juvenile advisory council.
Anti-DEI bill changes drastically in Indiana House committee. Here's what changed
Indianapolis Star | By Kayla Dwyer | April 8, 2025
Indiana House lawmakers have significantly pared back a controversial Senate bill to rein in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives across state-funded institutions ― so much so that some the bill’s vocal critics have called the changes a “step in the right direction,” though they still have concerns.
Indianapolis mayor's Project Indy portal launches with over 250 available summer jobs for young people
WTHR | March 11, 2025
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Tuesday morning announced the 2025 Project Indy summer jobs initiative, which is looking to hire for over 250 available positions from over 160 local employers.
Project Indy hopes to empower young adults this summer
WRTV | By Adam Schumes | March 11, 2025
Summer hiring season is now underway, that’s according to the city of Indianapolis.
WNBA All-Star 2025 gives $1 million in grants to Indiana nonprofits
WTHR | By Arianna Sergio | February 11, 2025
Four Indiana nonprofits will each be getting grant money, courtesy of the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee.
The committee announced Tuesday, Feb, 11 that they will be giving $1 million in grants to the Fletcher Place Community Center, Marion County Commission on Youth, Marvella Foundation and The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis.
WNBA All-Star Host Committee announces grant awardees
WRTV | By Rachael Wilkerson | February 11, 2025
The WNBA All-Star game may not be coming to town for another five months, but it’s already making a real and lasting impact, considering the community’s needs.
As Indianapolis prepares to host the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend in July, it’s tipping off projects that will impact the next generation.
WNBA All-Star 2025 Student Ambassador Program Tipoff | Indiana Fever
January 13, 2025
Together with the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and Marion County Commission on Youth, Pacers Sports & Entertainment tipped off the inaugural WNBA All-Star 2025 Student Ambassador program!
25 Indiana high school students will participate in experiential leadership learning opportunities that reinforce confidence, support mental health, and inspire wellness leading up to July’s events.
United Way receives $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to replenish Capital Projects Fund serving partner agencies
January 5, 2025
United Way of Central Indiana will continue to provide capital projects support to local nonprofit agencies thanks to a $10 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The Capital Projects Fund supports the construction and renovation needs of human service organizations in Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties.
The Mind Trust awards $350,000 in School-Community Partnership Investments to 29 Indianapolis organizations
December 4, 2024
Congrats to MCCOY (Marion County Commission on Youth) for receiving a $20,000 School-Community Partnership Investment (SCPI) to support their programs to reduce youth violence and youth exposure to violence!
Season for Sharing changes approach to helping Indy's kids. What's new and how you can help
Indianapolis Star | By Eric Larsen | November 27, 2024
Hey, Indy, let’s do something big together this holiday season.
Let’s raise up a 30-year, $60 million legacy founded and supported by some of our city’s most prominent leaders with the power of our thousands of hands.
Let’s rally behind a cause that in 2024 touched one in four Marion County youths under the age of 24. Let’s rise up to meet a need that far outreaches even the nearly $4 million awarded this year to 242 programs that provide safe, reliable summer enrichment for our children.
Want to help youth in Indy?
These teens share how
These teens share how
Mirror Indy | By Carley Lanich | September 29, 2024
With the growing prevalence of cellphones and social media, the pressures this generation of teens face are always at their fingertips.
A group of school leaders and community partners met earlier this month to discuss that along with related challenges facing youth today.
Indiana schools report 41% increase in bullying incidents during 2023-24 school year
WRTV | By Kara Kenney | August 6, 2024
A newly released report shows Indiana schools reported a 41% increase in bullying incidents during the 2023-2024 school year.
This is the third year in a row Indiana school corporations have reported an uptick in bullying cases. However, the Indiana Department of Education points out incidents were down during pandemic-impacted school years.
Teens organize peace walk at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
MirrorIndy | By Darian Benson | April 24, 2024
A group of local teens has organized a community peace walk to commemorate National Youth Violence Prevention Week.
The walk will begin at 2 p.m. April 27 at the Landmark for Peace Memorial in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
The event is the result of a collaboration between several local violence prevention organizations, including Hoosiers Concerned about Gun Violence, Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition and the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council.
Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition hosts peace walk to end gun violence
wthr.com | April 28, 2024
Youths convene at Indiana Statehouse to engage civically, ‘get involved’
WISHTV | By Gregg Montgomery | Posted: Feb 19, 2024
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Presidents Day meant no school for many students, but the Indiana Statehouse provided the perfect occasion for hands-on learning on Monday.
Students from around Indiana converged on the capitol for Youth Day. Attendees could meet lawmakers, voice their opinions, meet other youth advocates, and observe committee hearings.
BREAKING: Roughly 600 people are here for “Youth Day at the Statehouse” hosted by @MCCOYouth. Watch @FOX59 and @CBS4Indy for the latest. pic.twitter.com/2892Bg37kI
— Hannah Adamson TV (@Hannah__Adamson) February 19, 2024
Marion County youth advocacy groups distributing free gun lock boxes
INDIANAPOLIS — Gun owners in Indianapolis can get free lock boxes this week to help keep their families safe.
The Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition and the Marion County Commission on Youth are providing the free gun locks. They’ll be available at the MCCOY building, located at 1375 W. 16th St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
WISHTV: Free Lock Boxes Available for Indianapolis Gun Owners
Marion County community organizations to give away gun lock boxes
MirrorIndy | Diane Moore | Feb. 1, 2024
In 2023, there were 26 unintentional shootings by children in Indiana who gained access to loaded firearms, according to gun advocacy organization Everytown. Of those 26 shootings, 11 happened in Indianapolis.
Two Marion County organizations are partnering to promote gun safety and give away free lock boxes to gun owners who live in Indianapolis.
Indiana legislators may turn to law enforcement to reduce absences. Some schools have other ideas.
Aleksandra Appleton Amelia Pak-Harvey | December 19, 2023, 7:00am EST
“Families understand the importance of education and want to send their children to school, said Kate Roelecke, director of strategy and operations at the Marion County Commission on Youth. But they may face obstacles like their work schedules, or a lack of transportation and child care that force older children to be responsible for younger siblings, for example.
“Roelecke said the commission hopes to work with lawmakers on solutions that connect families to community resources. She said she’d rather see lawmakers study the issue of absenteeism this summer than address it in a rush during this session.
“’We all want the same thing, we want kids to be getting a great education and we know being in school is a key piece of that,’ she said. ‘I don’t think we’re going to accomplish that by putting parents, students, and schools on the defensive.’”
New report shows uptick in bullying incidents, advocates say it’s a good thing
WRTV | by Kara Kenney | Posted Aug 2, 2023
“The Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) has advocated for schools to accurately report bullying incidents to the Indiana Department of Education.
“‘It can impact a student’s ability to pay attention in class, it can impact their ability to succeed as a student,’ said Sarah Kumfer, Public Policy and Advocacy Director at MCCOY. ‘Even though we saw an increase, that’s not necessarily bad information. It shows schools are actually reporting this.'”
Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council focuses on gun violence and mental health issues
By Jessica Gruenling | Posted July 29, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS — Teens in Indianapolis are working on solutions to issues plaguing the city.
The sixth year of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council started on Saturday.
This year, the Marion County Commission on Youth and Camptown teamed up to host the first retreat.
“For us, it means a change to teach and share leadership skills and confidence, and build teamwork and respect for one another,” Camptown president Brent Freeman said.
This year, the group of teens will be looking at solutions to gun violence and substance abuse in Indianapolis. They’ll work as advisers to Mayor Hogsett.
2023 Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council
Fox59 | Mar 31, 2023 | 07:57 AM EDT
Applications are now being accepted for the next Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council. The program chooses a group of young people to help amplify youth voices and give input to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
And here to share more about the program is LaMarr Davis II, with the Marion County Commission on Youth, and Xavier Ntamere, a senior at Shortridge High School and current MYLC member, both joined FOX59 this morning to tell us more about the program.