Indiana Park and Recreation Association Announced Nonprofit Employer of the Year

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association Named Nonprofit Employer of the Year at the 16th Annual IMPACT Awards Celebration

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, Work+Learn Indiana held their 16^th Annual IMPACT Awards Celebration where the Indiana Park and Recreation Association was announced winner of Nonprofit Employer of the Year. Work and Learn Indiana is a program of the Institute for Workforce Excellence, a 501(c)3 subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Their program links employers, learners, high schools, colleges and universities. Their goal is to help create or expand high-quality experiential opportunities within Indiana.

IPRA was honored to accept this award and so proud to celebrate their intern program. “Interns are not just a part of the team at IPRA, they are an essential part of the organization” said Courtnie Pettigrew, Membership and Event Coordinator. Felisha Canillas, Development Coordinator, also recognized that the Indiana Park and Recreation Association has just three full time employees, and “without the hard work from these incredible interns IPRA wouldn’t be able to serve members or deliver the education and programming that is integral to the mission.” The staff at IPRA are committed to providing interns with real life experience that they can use in their future careers, and they are thrilled to be recognized for this commitment. Executive Director, Lisa Nye praised IPRA interns and stated that “IPRA values its strong internship program and is grateful for every person that joins and brings new ideas to the team.”

IPRA was lucky enough to continue to offer internships during a global pandemic. The organization was able to provide six students from central Indiana an internship experience and looks forward to working with interns!

If you would like to watch the awards ceremony, you can view that here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSx0Mma4dlE&feature=youtu.be

“My favorite part of interning with IPRA was working one-on-one with a team of strong women who want to cultivate your ideas and talents. I’m thankful for the experience as it was the final push I needed to pursue my current career.”

• Morgan Hale, 2021 Spring IPRA Intern, Anderson University Student

“Interning for IPRA this past summer provided me with so much professional development that greatly added to my resume--like event planning, business development, and communications--but it also brought me so many fond memories. I am so grateful for my time as an intern at IPRA, and I am especially thankful I was able to get to know the staff and members of the organization.”

• Christine Dunker, 2021 Summer IPRA Intern, Ball State University Student

“I never knew how much went into creating and running a park. IPRA gave me the opportunity to meet the individuals that run the parks and learn directly from them. I also got the chance to help with IPRA’s annual conference, even though my internship ended before the conference took place.Overall, it was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to do more than just get coffee and make copies for an internship. You will gain real experience!”

• Rachel Landis, 2021 Summer IPRA Intern, Ball State University Student

“My time as an intern at IPRA was so valuable to my professional and personal life. The staff was so welcoming and really gave me an opportunity to be hands-on with so many aspects of the organization. I learned so much from IPRA, and it was really cool to see the parks and recreation field and the nonprofit world come together.”

• Abigail Witte, 2021 Fall IPRA Intern, Ball State University Student