SCHUMER PUSHES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR $1.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS IN WESTERN NEW YORK
Department of Labor’s YouthBuild Program Provides Job Skills to At-Risk Young Adults
Schumer says this funding will Help WNY YouthBuild Get More Young People Jobs
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the U.S Department of Labor to approve The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc.’s (TSC) application for $1,100,000 through the U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild program. Schumer said TSC oversees the Western New York YouthBuild (WNYYB) program which works to connect disadvantaged youth with alternative educational opportunities, job skills training, and quality employment opportunities. Schumer said the funding will enable TSC to recruit and serve 64 students from across the city, specifically targeting high-need service areas on the East, West, and South sides of Buffalo. Schumer is calling on the Department of Labor to do its part to provide strong support for Buffalo’s at-risk youth.
“These federal funds will help WNY YouthBuild continue its great work by giving many young adults the opportunity to earn their GED, accrue real job experiences, and build a better future for themselves and their families,” said Senator Schumer. “I am urging the Department of Labor to heed my request and sign, seal, and deliver these funds so that hundreds of at-risk youth in Buffalo can continue their educational and professional journeys on the way to jobs and full participation in the workforce.”
“If awarded this funding, The Service Collaborative will be able to continue serving a population of future leaders. Through education, construction and leadership skills, the individuals who participate in the YouthBuild program are able to shape a successful future for themselves," said Kate Sarata, Executive Director of the Service Collaborative of WNY. "We thank Senator Schumer for his support of the YouthBuild program, and his unwavering support for our young people."
The Western New York YouthBuild Program was developed in 2009 and has, for the last eight years, served more than 246 young Western New Yorkers. With this funding, the program will continue to evolve, leveraging continuous support from local employers, educators, and community leaders. Through a comprehensive, project-based learning approach, WNYYB removes barriers for disadvantaged youth, providing occupational training, leadership development, career exploration, post-program support, and assistance with obtaining a high school diploma or GED.
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.
A copy of Schumer’s letter appears below:
Secretary Acosta:
I write today in support of The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc (TSC) in their application for $1,100,000 through the U.S. Department of Labor Youth Build program. TSC administers Western New York Youth Build (WNYYB), connecting disadvantaged youth with educational and employment opportunities. If awarded this critical funding, TSC will recruit and serve 64 students from across the city, specifically targeting the highest need service areas on the East, West, and South sides of Buffalo. In these areas, over 30% of individuals are living in poverty, over 20% of 16-24 year-old individuals are unemployed, and there is a graduation rate of just 57.9%.
WNNYB was developed in 2009 and has served more than 246 young Western New Yorkers over the past eight years. The program continues to evolve based on continuous input of local employers, educators, and community leaders. Through a comprehensive, project-based learning approach, WNYYB removes barriers for disadvantaged youth, providing occupational training, leadership development, career exploration, post-program support, and assistance with obtaining a high school diploma or GED.
WNYYB has had longstanding success in developing relationships with local employers in both the public and private sectors. There are over 30 industry partners committed to this proposal to provide career exploration and placement opportunities. Additionally, WNYYB has secured a matching grants of $275,000 and $1,121,443 from partnering agencies.
For these reasons, I offer my full support of The Service Collaborative of WNY and the Western New York Youth Build Program. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
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