Duke Energy Foundation Provides Critical Workforce Funding in Southeast Indiana

Duke Energy Foundation’s Most Recent Investment Provides Southeast Indiana Workforce Board with Funding to Assist Individuals in Recovery

(LAWRENCEBURG, Indiana, October 2, 2023). The Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board (SEIWIB) is pleased to announce that Duke Energy Foundation has provided the regional nonprofit with $15,000 to serve Hoosiers in Southeast Indiana that are struggling with substance misuse and abuse.

In 2018, SEIWIB leveraged grant funding to serve individuals impacted by the opioid crisis to build a regional substance abuse recovery system. This regional system is a network of service providers that provide parallel treatment and peer recovery services with employment and training services. This system provides a pathway to substantive employment for our neighbors that are struggling with recovery.

“This new investment from the Duke Energy Foundation provides us with the opportunity to continue our work helping individuals in recovery who need holistic supports and services,” said Kurt Kegerreis, Executive Director of SEIWIB. “Assisting individuals in recovery is a priority for our organization, and Duke Energy Foundation’s continued support is critical to the sustainability of this important initiative.”

With these types of investments, SEIWIB will be able to continue to integrate services for individuals in recovery at all the WorkOne locations. These WorkOne locations provide comprehensive workforce and training services for jobseekers in SEIWIB’s 10-county service area.

Since 2015, Duke Energy Foundation has invested $147,500 in workforce initiatives of SEIWIB. These investments have funded youth programming  (JAG), apprenticeship expansion, and a past grant for substance misuse programming.

The Duke Energy Foundation is focused on strengthening and uplifting communities throughout Indiana with grant funding. The Foundation’s commitment to providing workforce development training to underrepresented populations aligns perfectly with the mission of SEIWIB.

“Duke Energy Foundation is committed to creating meaningful impact in our communities, and we think that this investment is indicative of that commitment,” said Kylie Foster of Duke Energy Foundation. “Since 2015, we have provided over $147,000 to the work of Southeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board to help youth and adults find upward mobility through employment services. We’re pleased to continue our partnership with a great organization.”

Previous funding from Duke Energy Foundation to SEIWIB includes funding to expand apprenticeship opportunities and to expand the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program in area high schools. JAG is a dropout prevention program and is operated by River Valley Resources on behalf of SEIWIB. Kristal Biehle, youth Program Director for River Valley Resources indicates that Duke Energy Foundation’s support for JAG has been impactful.

“In the wake of restrictive grants and funding loss, many regions were forced to eliminate critical aspects of JAG.” Said Biehle. “Because of the flexibility and receipt of these Duke funds, our students continued to receive high-quality and meaningful opportunities to hone work-readiness skills and engage with local industry professionals.”

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.