Mentoring Impact
Elevation Program: From Tragedy to Triumph
A Collaborative Impact Initiative
Through generous support from the Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Felege Hiywot Center (FHC) launched a powerful multi-organization partnership to address re-entry, violent crime, mental health, and collective healing. As part of this effort, the team alongside The Blue House, PACE Indy, and Wellcrafted Foundry (formerly known as Mentors of Color) created the documentary From Tragedy to Triumph, a film that elevates the voices of six individuals with lived experience navigating systems of incarceration, trauma, and transformation.
Their stories provide raw insight, challenge assumptions, and open the door for participant-led solutions.
We used Scrum and Agile methodologies to help formerly incarcerated individuals reduce recidivism by providing real, practical mentoring on how to use Agile and Scrum to get jobs. This hands-on approach gives participants tangible skills that employers value.
Impact
- •One-on-one mentorship for re-entry individuals seeking ongoing guidance and accountability
- •Training and development in dialogue design, equipping re-entry participants with skills to lead meaningful conversations
- •Facilitation readiness, helping participants build confidence, communication skills, and leadership capacity
- •Mental Health Support through Mental Health America Indiana for re-entry participants
- •Youth Dialogues (Ages 13+) engaging students in guided discussions identifying causes of violence
- •Short Films & Screenings hosted at KIPP Indy schools, churches, and neighborhood gatherings
- •Facilitated Town Halls with trained facilitators leading discussions
The Experience
The film is just an example of the impact
Program Components
Youth Dialogues (Ages 13+)
Students engage in guided discussions identifying causes of violence and proposing real-world solutions. The Blue House captures these dialogues, allowing FHC to host screenings at KIPP Indy schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and neighborhood gatherings in partnership with the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS).
Short Films & Screenings
The Blue House captures these dialogues, allowing FHC to host screenings at KIPP Indy schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and neighborhood gatherings in partnership with the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS).
Facilitated Town Halls
Trained facilitators lead discussions while note takers capture insights that shape future programming.
Mental Health Support
Through this initiative, re-entry participants received a unique opportunity to engage with Mental Health America Indiana, gaining support that is rarely available during and after the re-entry process.
Key Highlights
Reducing Recidivism Through Skills
We used Scrum and Agile methodologies to help formerly incarcerated individuals reduce recidivism by providing real, practical mentoring on how to use Agile and Scrum to get jobs. This hands-on approach gives participants tangible skills that employers value.
Practical Job Readiness
Participants learn how to apply Agile and Scrum principles in real-world job settings, making them more competitive candidates in today's workforce. The methodology teaches organization, collaboration, and problem-solving - skills that translate directly to employment success.
Participant-Led Solutions
Through dialogue design and facilitation training, participants become leaders where they live, contributing to discussions and shaping solutions that address the root causes of violence and recidivism.
Mental Health Integration
Re-entry participants receive unique opportunities to engage with Mental Health America Indiana, gaining support that is rarely available during and after the re-entry process.
Youth Impact
The program extends its impact to youth through guided dialogues, helping students identify causes of violence and propose real-world solutions, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Learn More About Our Impact
Discover how Agile and Scrum methodologies are transforming lives and reducing recidivism
Explore Elevation Program