The Urban Youth Entrepreneur Academy (UYEA) works to bring a variety of education, discovery and development to underrepresented youth in the Indianapolis area with after school and summer programming.
Middle and high school students have the opportunity to further their education in areas most needed by today’s standards, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as entrepreneurship and vocational training.
Check out some of the activities UYEA has done recently to enhance young community residents’ skills and education.
Entrepreneurship
UYEA offers business workshops, helping young people with the skills to spot a business opportunity when one presents itself, create a business plan, learn more about the financial aspects to operating a business and create marketing materials. They also offer a financial literacy club to build good financial habits at a young age for future success.
Life Skills
Students learn how to access resources needed to further their goals, the benefits of trial and error, and how to identify and work with their special talents and skill set. Through life skill courses, such as their handyman course, students learn about construction terminology, how to install plumbing, replace drywall and basic household repair. Through the process, youth build self-esteem and confidence in their future endeavors.
The Classroom to Career program allows students to explore careers and job readiness training for the future with mentors, job shadowing and partnerships with the local school corporation to help them get on the right track.
Innovation
With programs involving robotics, coding, technology and more, students learn how to problem-solve and work through frustration and difficulty. With experience in the field, they may decide a career in technology, IT or engineering is right for them. Recent courses include web design, gaming design and robotics. Technology development moves so quickly — rather than learn about specific software and products, UYEA focuses on the ability to modify, develop and create. Students have also created a soap box derby club, in which they have built the soap box vehicles themselves and then participate in races throughout the school year.
Social Justice
In a world where not everyone has the same opportunities, students at UYEA look at ways to contribute to the fight for social equality, racial equality and privilege. Discussions allow the youth of Indianapolis to find ways to raise their voice and to go out in the world, sharing their knowledge with others.
To get involved with UYEA or learn more about the organization, visit www.urbanyea.org.
UYEA is run by Mr. Tyrone Chandler, Mr. Chandler hosts so many program for youth and you can tell he cares about these kids. He is from the Riverside neighborhood so the way he reaches these kids is unique. He has helped me acquire scholarships for college and taught me a host of life skills and professional skills.