Indy Standard

A group of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students is gaining hands-on experience in the construction and building trades this summer, participating in internships through Russell’s Building Camp. The program was founded by Adrian Russell, an IPS alumnus and executive at Shiel Sexton, a company based in Indianapolis.

Russell expressed his commitment to supporting current IPS students. “I wanted to bring to light a fabulous partnership that’s delivering outstanding results for IPS students,” he said. “As an alumnus, it means the world to give back to the district and students I deeply relate to.”

Russell graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 2007 and is a member of the district’s Hall of Fame. He started Russell’s Building Camp as a nonprofit organization in 2020 with the goal of introducing young people from diverse backgrounds to opportunities within the construction industry.

Since its founding, Russell’s Building Camp has provided experiences for more than 500 youth in the Indianapolis area. The camp has become a pathway for careers in construction and related fields.

In spring, the camp ran its second high school cohort—a mentorship and industry introduction program involving 92 students from 16 local high schools. Among them were 35 IPS students from Arsenal Technical and George Washington high schools.

This summer, four IPS participants from that group are working as interns within the industry.

“Not only are these students on the fast track to incredible careers, but they also have a full support system with them at every turn,” Russell said. “That success is no accident.”