Indianapolis, IN — (December 17, 2021) The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, a foundation that upholds the founders’ charitable traditions and continues their commitment to improving the quality of life in the greater Indianapolis area, has awarded Indy Reads a $10,000 grant. This grant was awarded to Indy Reads to expand its new High School Equivalency (HSE) Fast Track course in their adult basic education programming.

“The Noyes Foundation has been a long-time supporter of Indy Reads, enabling us to broaden and adapt our programming over the years to continue to meet the growing needs of adults and their families in the greater Indianapolis area. We are so grateful for the Foundation’s continued support and trust in our work,” said Ruba Marshood, Indy Reads CEO.

Indy Reads serves adult learners through free literacy, ELL, job readiness, and credential-earning certification courses. The High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma program, launched in 2020, has expanded with a new “Fast Track” option for students looking to prepare quickly for the HSE exam. This program provides eligible Central Indiana adults an opportunity to earn an HSE diploma in a shortened time frame—even as little as one weekend.

“HSE diplomas open doors to employment, further education, and workforce training programs that are unavailable to individuals without a diploma,” Marshood said. “In Marion County, 14% of our neighbors over 25 years old do not have a high school diploma or equivalency. These residents are nearly 1.5 times more likely to be unemployed. Noyes Foundation funding allows us to more than double the number of learners we can serve in our HSE program this year, helping even more Hoosiers enter the workforce in 2022.”

About Indy Reads

Indy Reads builds literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential. For over 30 years, we’ve worked toward a vision of 100% literacy for all. High literacy levels give access to greater developmental, educational, and career opportunities. Current statistics show that 1 in 6 adults in Indiana read at or below a fifth-grade level. Through its Community Classrooms and workforce development programs, Indy Reads helps adult learners increase their literacy and English language proficiency, prepare for their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma and improve employment opportunities.

To learn more about Indy Reads visit indyreads.org.

About the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation

Nicholas and Marguerite Noyes established The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial Foundation in 1951 to honor their son, Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. The mission of the Noyes Foundation is to uphold the founders’ charitable traditions and to continue their commitment to improving the quality of life in the greater Indianapolis area.

To learn more about the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation visit noyesfoundation.org.

###