SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $1 MILLION IN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FUNDING FOR THE SERVICE COLLABORATIVE OF WNY, INC.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,100,000 in new federal funding for The Service Collaborative of Western New York, Inc., in Buffalo, NY. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Labor. These grants will be awarded to strengthen “YouthBuild,” a pre-apprenticeship program for at-risk youth from ages 16-to-24.

“This federal funding will help The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc., 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 Senator Schumer. “I am pleased that the Department of Labor has recognized the importance of the YouthBuild program and look forward to hearing about its many successes across the state.”

“The Service Collaborative of Western New York, Inc., will use these funds to continue to support YouthBuild degree completion and industry-recognized certification programs that will propel at-risk youth toward achieving their full potential,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I was proud to urge Secretary Acosta to allocate federal funding for YouthBuild in New York. This pre-apprenticeship program helps our young people obtain the degrees and certifications necessary to be competitive when applying for in-demand occupations.”

YouthBuild is a recognized pre-apprenticeship program that helps at-risk youth complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized certifications for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities. YouthBuild has a network of approximately 260 active urban and rural YouthBuild grants in 46 states.

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