Indy Reads
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  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
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    • Impact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Student Yearbook ’20-’21
    • Customer Service Skills Program
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    • High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE)
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
      • Want to Learn English?
      • ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
      • အင်္ဂလိပ်စာလေ့လာချင်ပါသလား
      • Veux-tu apprendre l’anglais?
      • هل تريد تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟
      • Queres aprender inglês?
    • Certifications
      • Customer Service Certification
      • Paraprofessional Training and Certification
  • BOOKSTORE
    • Hours & Location
    • Shop Online
    • Donate Books
    • Shop Audiobooks
    • Shop Merch
    • Consignment
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Join Our Team
    • AmeriCorps
    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
  • EVENTS
    • Submit an Event
    • Event Calendar
  • CONTACT
    • Prospective Student Form
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March 24, 2022

Indy Reads Receives $125,000 Grant from the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a CICF Fund

Indianapolis, IN — (March 24, 2022) This week, the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a CICF fund, awarded Indy Reads a $125,000 grant to support Indy Reads’ new Customer Service Skills Program. This grant will fund an innovative pilot program that provides Central Indiana adults with intensive soft skills development through work at Indy Reads’ bookstore while they earn an industry-recognized credential. 

Indy Reads serves adult learners through free literacy, ELL, job readiness, and credential-earning certification courses. The Customer Service Skills Program aims to enroll 25 students in its first year in a paid mentorship and work experience program based in Indy Reads’ bookstore in Fountain Square. Indy Reads is proud to partner with local businesses such as Heartland Resolution Group, who have committed to prioritizing hiring students who complete its Customer Service Skills Program. 

“Margot Eccles was instrumental in bringing our bookstore to life ten years ago. We couldn’t be more grateful to the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund for enabling her legacy’s continued support as we implement this innovative program,” said Ruba Marshood, Indy Reads’ CEO. “We are thrilled to offer real-world retail experience and training to students in our bookstore at a living wage of $15 per hour while they participate in our Customer Service Skills course and prepare for the nationally-recognized Retail Industry Fundamentals certification.”

“84% of our adult learners at Indy Reads live below the poverty line,” Marshood said. “These students are working so hard to make ends meet that they do not have the time or opportunity to participate in traditional soft skills training programs. With our new Customer Service Skills course that combines employment with education, as well as our partnerships with national and local businesses, we can combat some of that persistent poverty. Thanks to the support and trust of the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund and CICF, we are able to help Hoosiers develop crucial transferable soft skills and credentials, and find sustainable employment here in Central Indiana. We encourage anyone interested in participating or finding out more to reach out and get started!”

==

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 Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a CICF Fund

The Central Indiana Community Foundation’s mission is to mobilize people, ideas, and investments to make this a community where all individuals have equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter place, race or identity. The foundation has existed for more than 100 years. For more information about the Central Indiana Community Foundation and the causes they support, please visit www.cicf.org. 

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Previous StoryIndy Reads Receives $4,000 Grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation
Next StoryEgg Hunt: Save the Date for April 16th!

Latest Posts

  • Indy Reads Announces Corporate Sponsors for 2022
  • Egg Hunt: Save the Date for April 16th!
  • Indy Reads Receives $125,000 Grant from the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a CICF Fund
  • Indy Reads Receives $4,000 Grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation
  • Indy Reads Receives $10,000 Grant from the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation

About

Our mission is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential.
 

Upcoming Events

April

May 2022

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Events for April

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for April

26th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

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Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

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27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Indy Shakes: What’s in a Canon?

Indy Reads
Events for April

28th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for April

29th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for April

30th

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
4:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with Susan Muaddi Darraj!

Events for May

1st

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
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3
4
5
6
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8
Events for May

2nd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

3rd

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

4th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

5th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

6th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

7th

No Events
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8th

No Events
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Events for May

9th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

10th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

11th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

12th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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13th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Letter Writing League

Indy Reads
Events for May

14th

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sarah Griffith Lund: Blessed Youth

Indy Reads
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15th

No Events
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Events for May

16th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

17th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

18th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

19th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

21st

1:00 pm

Indy Riot Reads Book Club – Detransition, Baby

Indy Reads
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

John Young: Fire in the Field

Indy Reads
Events for May

22nd

1:00 pm

Local Author Ross Carley Book Signing

Indy Reads
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24
25
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29
Events for May

23rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

24th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

26th

10:00 am

Yoga in the Bookstore

Indy Reads
10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

28th

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
Events for May

29th

No Events
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
Events for May

30th

No Events
Events for May

31st

No Events
Events for June

1st

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
Events for June

2nd

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
Events for June

5th

2:00 am

World Environment Day with the Sierra Club

Indy Reads

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