Indy Reads
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  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
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  • PROGRAMS
    • Student Yearbook ’20-’21
    • Customer Service Skills Program
    • Literacy Foundations
    • 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
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    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
    • Submit an Event
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  • EVENT CALENDAR
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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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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

December

January 2023

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Events for December

26th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

27th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for December

28th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

29th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

30th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

1st

No Events
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Events for January

2nd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

3rd

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

4th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

5th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

6th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

7th

The author, Vincent Alexander, in a classroom. He is bald and has glasses. He is wearing a light gray tie and a collared button-down.
3:00 pm

Vincent Alexander: Ninety-Nine Problems

Indy Reads
Events for January

8th

4:00 pm

The Book to Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema

Kan-Kan Theater 1
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Events for January

9th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

10th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

11th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

12th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

13th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

14th

No Events
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15th

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
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Events for January

16th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

17th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

18th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

19th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

21st

No Events
Events for January

22nd

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
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Events for January

23rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

24th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

26th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

28th

10:30 am

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
6:30 pm

New Year, New Poetry Slam & Open Mic with BOOTH

Indy Reads
Events for January

29th

No Events
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Events for January

30th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

31st

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for February

1st

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Headshot of Angela Hale. She has long dark brown hair, drop earrings, and is smiling.
6:00 pm

Federal Tax Support Workshop

Indy Reads
Events for February

2nd

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for February

3rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for February

4th

Photo of author, Lindsey Frazier, smiling. She has blonde hair and a gray hoodie on.
2:00 pm

Lindsey Frazier: Oh Love, Come Close

Indy Reads
Events for February

5th

4:00 pm

The Book to Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema

Kan-Kan Theater 1

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