Duke Energy Foundation Provides Critical Funding to Support Jobs for America’s Graduates in Southeast Indiana

Funding to continue to assist JAG Students

(LAWRENCEBURG, Indiana, May 1, 2024). The Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board (SEIWIB) is pleased to announce that Duke Energy Foundation has provided the regional nonprofit with $10,000 to assist with JAG expansion and assisting at-risk students.

 In 2006, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) was implemented in Indiana. JAG is a dropout prevention program, and in 2011, SEIWIB started its first two programs in southeast Indiana. At the direction of Governor Eric Holcomb in 2022, JAG expansion has been a priority in the region. There are currently 13 programs, with another seven slated to begin in the Fall, and two to three more to begin in early 2025.

 Kurt Kegerreis, Executive Director for SEIWIB, praised Duke for their commitment to helping southeast Indiana’s JAG students. “Duke continues to be an excellent partner in our efforts to lift up these excellent students to reach their full potential.”

 With these types of investments, SEIWIB will be able to continue to assist and expand the JAG program in the region. The current JAG programs in SEIWIB’s 10-county service area are in the following high schools: Brownstown Central High School, Crothersville Jr-Sr High School, Franklin County High School, Jennings County High School, two in Lawrenceburg High School, Madison Consolidated High School, Milan High School, two in Seymour High School, South Dearborn High School, South Ripley High School and JacCenDel High School currently share one program, and Switzerland County High School. Future sites are: Greensburg High School, North Decatur High School, South Decatur High School, a second program in Madison Consolidated High School, Southwestern High School, Medora High School, and JacCenDel High School is getting its own program.

The JAG program in southeast Indiana is operated by River Valley Resources (RVR) on behalf of SEIWIB Brad Wood, Chief Operating Officer for RVR, agrees that the Duke funding will provide many more instances to assist JAG students. “The funding from Duke will open doors for our students to learn foundational employment skills, prepare for their career, and engage with local industry leaders,” he said. “This funding is essential to providing high-quality opportunities across our region. We are grateful for our continued partnership with Duke.”

The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting the youth of Southeastern Indiana. The Foundation’s commitment to the students of Southeastern Indiana aligns perfectly with the mission of SEIWIB and the Governor.

 “We are thrilled to support JAG and the experiences the program provides for our students in Southeastern Indiana,” said Kylie Foster, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “Financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and skill development are vital for our future workforce, and Kurt and the WorkOne team are doing stellar work for the youth in our community.”

 Since 2015, Duke Energy Foundation has invested $157,500 in workforce initiatives of SEIWIB. These investments have funded youth programming (JAG), apprenticeship expansion, and a past grant for substance misuse programming.

 Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board

Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board is the Workforce Development Board for Bartholomew, Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland counties in Indiana. Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board’s mission is to help Hoosiers in Southeast Indiana find and grow in careers that are productive and fulfilling, and to help employers find the qualified personnel they need to be successful.

 Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board is committed to equitable workforce solutions. This includes serving underrepresented populations, including individuals in recovery and justice-involved individuals and their families. Learn more at www.southeastindianaworkforce.com.

 Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

 Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

 Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

 Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at www.duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

 River Valley Resources

RVR currently provides programs and services in 14 counties in Southeastern and Central Indiana. Services include comprehensive case management, job readiness and life skills management, work experience and job placement, and job coaching and retention services. RVR is also a Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) voucher agent in 12 counties. RVR programs and services have positively impacted the lives of more than 115,000 dislocated workers, disadvantaged youth, people with disabilities, and ex-offenders. RVR currently provides programs and services in 14 counties in Southeastern and Central Indiana. Services include comprehensive case management, job readiness and life skills management, work experience and job placement, and job coaching and retention services. RVR is also a Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) voucher agent in 12 counties. RVR programs and services have positively impacted the lives of more than 115,000 dislocated workers, disadvantaged youth, people with disabilities, and ex-offenders. Learn more at https://www.rivervalleyresources.com/about