United Way of Central Indiana adds two new partners to Workforce Pathways Accelerator Initiative

Initiative expands into Hamilton County and adds Marion County partner

MARION AND HAMILTON – United Way of Central Indiana is expanding its Workforce Pathways Accelerator Initiative to include two new community partners – one in Hamilton County and one in Marion County – as the program enters its third year of helping people earn industry-recognized credentials and land jobs that pay livable wages. 

Trinity Free Clinic, based in Carmel, is the initiative’s first Hamilton County partner. New Beginnings joins as the new Marion County partner. They will work alongside three returning partners – Fathers and Families Center, Public Advocates in Community Re-Entry (PACE) and Indiana Plan – all in their second year with the initiative. 

United Way works to distance Central Indiana households from poverty. It does that by focusing its resources on four essential areas: basic needs, early care and learning, economic mobility, and safe and affordable housing. The Workforce Pathways Accelerator Initiative is part of United Way’s economic mobility efforts, meant to help people move up the economic ladder through workforce development. 

First launched in July 2024, the initiative is designed to be an “on-ramp” for people seeking industry-recognized credentials. Participants receive personalized support to navigate resources and overcome barriers like transportation, child care and program costs. A Career Partnerships Navigator guides participants from enrollment to employment. The goal is to increase household income by at least 65 percent by helping people secure credentials and move into wage-sustaining careers. 

Over the two-year period, the initiative served 546 individuals – far exceeding initial projections. Of those, 425 obtained credentials that leads to increased job opportunities or stability and 184 improved their income. In the initiative’s first year, United Way and its partners anticipated serving 40 people, but 76 enrolled and 41 earned credentials. 

Existing partners, Fathers and Families Center, PACE, and Indiana Plan each received a $150,000 grant from United Way. New partners, Trinity Free Clinic and New Beginnings each received $200,000. The annual cost of the Workforce Pathways Accelerator Initiative is $1 million, which includes career navigation, participant and program support.  

The one-year grants cover the cost of participants’ training and certification testing, help eliminate barriers along the way, and allow the nonprofits to hire or support coaches to guide them through training and employment. Each site serves at least 30 participants. 

"A career can be life-changing. For many of our neighbors, the Workforce Pathways Accelerator opens the door. Adding partners in Hamilton and Marion counties means more people across Central Indiana can build that kind of stability," said Bernadette Monk, United Way of Central Indiana’s economic mobility director.  

“For 25 years, we’ve seen how closely health and financial stability are connected — helping someone prepare for meaningful employment at a livable wage can change the trajectory of an entire family’s life. With United Way’s support, we’re reaching people ready to invest in themselves and providing the training, clinical experience, and support they need to build lasting stability and a different future for their children,” said Mel Wischmeyer, Trinity Free Clinic's executive director. 

“What excites us most about the Workforce Pathways Accelerator Initiative is its potential to create opportunities that extend beyond the individuals we serve. Through our IT Certification Program and CDL Training Academy, we help adults gain the skills to pursue meaningful careers, achieve greater financial stability and create brighter futures for their families. We believe that investing in people today is one of the most powerful ways to transform communities tomorrow,” said Evelyn Evans, New Beginnings director.  

Workforce Pathways Accelerator serves Central Indiana residents, particularly those living at or below the ALICE threshold, including low-income individuals, women re-entering the workforce and justice-involved citizens. 

To learn more about the initiative, visit uwci.org/workforce-pathways-accelerator.  

About United Way of Central Indiana 

United Way of Central Indiana is uniquely positioned to bring the resources of philanthropy, businesses, local government, nonprofits and neighborhoods together to tackle generational poverty. With a focus on basic needs, early care and learning, economic mobility, and safe and affordable housing, United Way helps people live the lives they are capable of living. United Way of Central Indiana serves Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties.