Customer Comments

Read what others have said about working with IYI:

Career Center

We received about six applicants that mentioned hearing about our vacancy through IYI’s website. In fact, the person we ended up hiring stated that they had heard of the vacancy though your website. Overall, the service assisted me, a new business owner the opportunity to post a job description on a widely used website without the MAJOR cost associated with doing so. Thank you!!
— Anonymous Comment from Career Center Survey

The career center is valuable because we are a youth development nonprofit organization. I believe that candidates who are familiar with IYI are likely advocates for youth and have some knowledge of nonprofit organizations. We would use this service again.
— Anonymous Comment from Career Center Survey

This is the second time we have used IYI’s career center. I love the idea because it is a way to match opportunities with candidates who have a passion for youth work. Every contact I have ever had has always been professional and helpful. Thank you for all you do to support youth workers.
— Anonymous Comment from Career Center Survey

We received about 15 – 20 applicants from the listing on your website. The service is great and doesn’t really need improving.
— Anonymous Comment from Career Center Survey

Career and College Counseling

Drive of Your Life

I like how you can drive around and find out information about the job or career you want. It’s cool how you also put in the bad road signs to tell people that its not a good idea to get involved with it.
— 7th Grader, Franklin County

My favorite part of Drive of Your Life was, finding out about the courses I'll need to take and the skills I'll need to have for my career. I am interested in becoming a software designer or game designer.
— 7th Grader, Marion County

My favorite part of the Drive of Your Life web site was where I had to make my car and then answer all the questions and I learned about some new jobs that I didn’t know about. I look forward to playing on this web site again soon!
— 6th Grader, Bartholomew County

I can't imagine a kid not liking this. I can't imagine a principal not wanting this in their school.
— Phyllis Bussing, Director, Evansville Diocese Catholic Schools, Evansville, Vanderburgh County

Trip to College

I appreciate the fact that a simple to use site has been developed here in Indiana. I like the web links that are available to view various other important info, i.e. scholarship info, collegeboard.com etc.
— Anonymous Comment from Trip to College Web site user

The calculators on the site made me realize that I need to put more money aside each month. It's a great site, keep up the good work, it is helping parents plan for their child’s future.
— Anonymous Hendricks County parent of an elementary student

The information about various options for savings was great. The college-specific information will be more important for us down the road.
— Anonymous Hancock County parent

As parents who live paycheck to paycheck, I am just glad the resource is here. I like the time line and calculating how the small amount of savings we can do will add up. The key tips area were very helpful, I would not have known when to start applying for some of the "free" money she could qualify to receive. Thank you for helping out the little guys to give our child the chance to rise above!
— Anonymous Vanderburgh County parent

Information is well organized. I wish I could have seen the "College Timeline" twelve years ago!
— Anonymous Marion County parent of a high school student

Consulting Services

IYI’s consulting services allowed us to develop a strategic plan that is now helping guide our growth and programming. We are more focused, have a better sense of our mission, and a clearer vision for the future.
— Tim Streett, Executive Director, Jireh Sports, Indianapolis, Marion County

On the advice and direction of our IYI consultant, we have recruited a board of directors and in the process of planning a board retreat, which will also include lead volunteers. Our marketing undertakings now include a new camp brochure, a CD Power Point presentation and other printed material. We have even created an organizational handbook.
— Tina McGauhe, Co-founder, Camp-We-Can, Rochester, Fulton County

Development Grants

By meeting the right people, we were able to get advice on trail repairs that will prevent us from making incorrect decisions down the road. By investing hundreds, you saved us thousands – sounds like good math for a youth agency.
— Lenette Freeman, Cardinal Greenways, who attended the Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference with a Professional Development Grant
I have received Professional Development Grants that have allowed me to bring programs to our community and also benefit our agency. Specifically, I received a grant to obtain training in Stewards of Children Program. Once I was trained, I could train my staff, other child-serving agencies and the community on how adults can prevent child sexual abuse. It also DECREASED our agency's liability insurance rate 20%.
— Anonymous evaluation comment
Thank-you for sponsoring the workshop…at the Community Montessori School in New Albany, IN. [As] the presenter I just wanted you to know how helpful the day was for the folks who attended. I have received several emails from parents and teachers sharing what they learned and have done with their children as a result of our time together. Knowledge is powerful. Looking at a child's behavior with different eyes can make all of the difference in that child's life. Your sponsorship of "Setting All Children Up For Learning Success" was greatly appreciated.
— Ann Anzalone, Presenter, “Setting All Children Up For Learning Success”
With the grant money I received from IYI I attended a conference on bullying prevention. At the conference I learned ways to help student feel like they belong and how they are responsible for the social climate we have at our school. The information I gained from this workshop is helping over 700 students feel safer when they come to school. Since attending this workshop and implementing some of the strategies, the amount of bullying taking place at our school has decreased by 5%. Our students are learning how to teach each other better and how to stand up for victims of bullying. Thank you so much for the grant!
— Anonymous, Central Indiana
At the annual GAL/CASA Conference I was recognized as the Indiana GAL/CASA Volunteer of the Year. In addition to being immensely pleased and thankful to have received this great award I am aware that the IYI grant that funded my attendance at the National CASA Conference, was an important "building block" in helping me to provide meaningful advocacy for the neglected and abused children I serve as I manage my CASA cases. I know that you and your colleagues at the Indiana Youth Institute, as well as those who fund your grants, are among those I need to thank.
— Al Johnson, Morgan County CASA, Martinsville, IN

Indiana Youth Investment Awards

Since receiving the Youth Investment Award, we have entered into more collaborations with Schools, Wrap Around programs, Probation Offices and other youth agencies in 2 counties. We have also received a matching grant from the Peyback Foundation to provide scholarships for youth and promote public awareness of our new program. We have seen growth in our program and we are seeing positive life changes in youth and their families.
— Christina Menke, Hope Have Horse Farm, Coatesville, Hendricks County

The award legitimizes YFC in the eyes of funders, resulting in more dollars, resulting in more staff devoted to kids. Thanks for taking the time to not only offer expertise but also money to Indiana agencies in a difficult and very competitive economy.
— David Long, Fund Development Assistant, Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ, Fort Wayne, Allen County

Because of the Youth Investment Award…The program is going well in all schools. We have been able to reach 5 new schools and 10 new classes with the Learning for Life program. We currently have 141 schools and 5,580 youth in the program.
— Gina Farra, Finance Director, Crossroads for America, Learning for Life Program, Indianapolis, Marion County

Free Custom Research

We are using your data to help the city council develop a plan for early intervention services for kids and families with special needs. The data is helpful because it consolidates many sources into one place and saves us a lot of time.
— Dr. Eric Wright, Director of Health Policy at Center for Urban Policy and Environment (IUPUI), Indianapolis

I am using the information I received in developing a seminar presentation This is a useful service and It is beneficial to be able to access data about specific subjects in order to save research time when developing a program, seminar, or treating clients directly. I plan to utilize your services again based on the timely professional manner in which I received help for my request.
— Beverly Mussitter, Adult & Child Services, Indianapolis, Marion County

I'm using the data for different grant proposals and community presentations. I would highly recommend this service to other professionals because of the timeliness and applicability of the information provided. This is also a vital service for needs assessments, both internally and externally.
— Kevin Roach, Executive Director, Youth Connections, Franklin, Johnson County

Kids Count in Indiana Database & Data Book

I am so grateful for your data information that you share. I have been using the school profile and county data for some of our needs here at the school.
— Shellie Hartford, Assistant Principal, Roncalli High School, Indianapolis

The facts have a great impact when presented to the general public & they validate children’s' issues. I love being able to present your data -- you are a reputable source & give credence to the information I share.
— Barb Dingleldein, Child Advocate Team Program, Logansport, Cass County

Kids Count in Indiana Conference

I am 55 years old and this is the best conference I have ever been to! It makes me want to be a Youth Worker for another year!
— Anonymous comment from overall conference evaluations

The conference was truly energizing – the speakers were tremendously inspiring. I have bragged about this conference to many.
— Anonymous comment from overall conference evaluations

This was a tremendous professional development conference as I was able to gather ideas and information that will strengthen our current 4-H program in Boone County. I also picked up materials that I plan to share with others who I network with in Boone County.
— Tony Carrell, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Lebanon, Boone County

As always, I was very impressed with the conference and every speaker/teacher. The information was practical and can be put to immediate use by my agency and by me.
— Deborah G. Lynn, Grants Administrator, Nehemiah House of Indiana, Linton, Greene County

Virginia Beall Ball Library

Your library keeps me current and allows me to continue to grow professionally. Purchasing quality, up-to-date materials as a Supervisor/Program Manager/ Executive Director is difficult as most of our funds for such materials are directed at front line staff. This service is incredible!
— Darla Randall, Executive Director, Birth-to- Five, Inc., Richmond, Allen County

The books that I checked out dealt with fundraising and newsletters. The information in those resources was so helpful. I gleaned some new ideas as well as reassurance that I was doing some things "right." I was so impressed with the materials that I am looking into ordering my own copies. Thanks for letting me check them out to know if I wanted to spend the resources!!
— Paula Reitsma, Secretary, Three Strand Chord Ministries, Inc., VeVay, Switzerland County

I often turn to the library and other IYI resources to gather data concerning the needs of disadvantaged youth. I use this info to construct a 'needs statement' for grant proposals. I have always found the staff very helpful in addressing my questions. The IYI website is easy to navigate and contains a lot of useful info. I have always been satisfied with my library search experiences.
— Julie Alvis, Wheeler Mission Ministries, Indianapolis, Marion County

Trainings

[The Motivating Parents training] helped me to become a better therapist. I have also shared the information with staff, which has helped them become better in their jobs. This training was very helpful to me as a professional, but I applied the information in my personal life and it had a profound effect.
— Kelly DiCenso, Treatment Director, Vigo County Home for Children, Terre Haute

The presenter was excellent and very refreshing. This workshop gave me a chance to think outside of the box in my work and creative ways to work with my children and their mothers. I was personally refreshed.
— Anonymous comment from a 2007 training participant

We have been extremely satisfied with the service. The IYI consultants we have encountered through the service have been extremely knowledgeable, personable, and helpful. Our consultant helped us with marketing, fundraising, and a name-change. The consultant really listened to our expression of needs and delivered products and services that reflect his keen understanding of our organization's mission, strengths, and weaknesses.
— Robert Ripperger, Director of Operations, Fathers and Families Center, Indianapolis, Marion County

Youth Service Help Line

What a wealth of information that I wish I had known about eight years ago!
— Phyllis Imel, Executive Director, Teacher’s Treasures, Indianapolis, Marion County

It was nice to be able to get legal advice without independently engaging a lawyer. I just had one question, so it was nice to be able to get a prompt answer. It actually met all of my expectations. I have come to find IYI as an efficient, accurate source of free advice, and that is what I received.
— Kate Traud-Detmer, Dearborn County Girls Club, Aurora, Dearborn County

I contacted IYI’s Help Line for assistance with funding sources to implement a youth program for children who have witnessed domestic violence. The service was fantastic!!! I didn't know it existed, and was beyond my expectations! The fund research study was very comprehensive and provided many possible funding sources! Thanks, IYI!!!!
— Judy House, Executive Director, Fresh Start of Indiana, Indianapolis, Marion County