The Chamber's Franklin Initiative

A program of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, the Franklin Initiative is a 501(c)3 organization that provides career awareness and workforce development services for youth in Bloomington in Monroe County, Indiana.

The Chamber’s Franklin Initiative works with teachers and schools to offer real-world experiences that get young people excited about future education and careers by helping them realize the relevance and importance of their education to life and careers after graduation.

Franklin Initiative programs include the Reality Store, Career Speakers Bureau, Mock Interviews, Career Encounter events, the Employment Fair for Graduating Seniors, as well as coordination of job shadowing, internships, and service learning opportunities.  Click here for more information about specific Franklin Initiative programs and educational events.

A key focus of the Chamber’s Franklin Initiative is dropout prevention. The Franklin Initiative Stay In School Partnership (SISP) and Graduation Coach Initiative helps high school students stay in school, graduate, and get a good job or pursue continuing education. Graduation Coaches at Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, and Edgewood High School in Ellettsville work one-on-one with students who are at-risk of dropping out to remove barriers to graduation and help them receive their diploma or GED.