SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $1.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR UNITED WAY OF LONG ISLAND’S YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM
Department of Labor’s YouthBuild Program Provides Occupational Skills to Young Adults Who Have Been in Juvenile Justice System, Aging Out of Foster Care, Dropped Out of High School Or At Risk of Failing
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1M to Help At-Risk Young Adults on Long Island Earn Degrees & Build Construction-Related Job Experience for the Real World
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1.1 million in federal funding for United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild program to help disadvantaged young adults earn degrees and build construction-related job experience. The funding is authorized by the Department of Labor’s YouthBuild program, aimed to support academic and occupational skills training for at-risk youth.
“This federal funding will help the United Way of Long Island continue its great work by giving many young adults the opportunity to earn their GED, accrue real construction-related job experience and make a better life for themselves,” said Schumer. “I am pleased that the Department of Labor has recognized the importance of the United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild program and look forward to hearing about its many successes.”
“The YouthBuild program gives thousands of teens and young adults on Long Island the resources and tools they need to help reach their full potential,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will allow the United Way of Long Island invest the resources necessary to implement additional educational and skills training programs. By increasing accessibility to these services United Way will be able to help more young adults in the community.”
Theresa Regnante, President & CEO, United Way of Long Island said, “United Way of Long Island is pleased to receive this critical federal funding to help build on the success of YouthBuild Long Island. YouthBuild’s innovative program helps young people further their education and learn new job skills while giving back to the community. This is truly a model program that makes a real difference for young people and strengthens Long Island’s workforce. This federal investment will help YouthBuild Long Island expand its reach and serve more young adults in key high-growth, high-demand sectors.”
For over 50 years, United Way of Long Island has been active in the effort to improve the quality of life for children, parents, families and seniors. YouthBuild Long Island, a United Way of Long Island program, offers a second chance to help youth earn their GED while learning green construction career skills by building housing for the homeless.
The Department of Labor’s YouthBuild program is a community-based alternative education program that provides classroom instruction and occupational skills to individuals 16 to 24 years old who have been in the juvenile justice system, are aging out of foster care, have dropped out of high school or are at risk of failing to reach key education and career milestones.
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