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Luis Serrano, College & Careers Collaboration Coordinator, and Caitlin Teague, VP of Programs and Services, Christel House International, on stage at the Indianapolis Business Journal ceremony.

The Christel House College & Careers Collaboration was honored as New Nonprofit Program of the Year at the Indianapolis Business Journal’s inaugural Nonprofit Excellence Awards on August 5. The Collaboration launched in 2024 as a way to extend Christel House’s proven model of career coaching and mentorship to schools outside of our network. It builds on the track record of success at CH Indianapolis, where graduates have among the highest median incomes in Marion County compared to other school districts and charter school networks.  

“That really got us thinking: How can we take this one piece of our model and extend that into non-Christel House schools?” said David Harris, President and CEO of CH International. The Collaboration now serves more than 1,700 students at four Indianapolis high schools. Students receive personalized mentorship, career exposure, and guidance during high school and for five years after graduation. “The coaches have worked tirelessly in this first year to build relationships with students and school partners,” said Caitlin Teague, VP of Programs and Services. “We are proud of what we’ve accomplished and looking forward to an even stronger year two.”  

An article about the College & Careers Collaboration award is featured on the Indianapolis Business Journal website. It requires a subscription to access.