Congressman Fattah Announces $2.2 Million in Federal Support to Expand Second Chances for Philadelphia's At-Risk Youth

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02) announced that Philadelphia's YouthBuild Charter School and Connection Training Services will each receive $1.1 million in YouthBuild funding from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The funding awarded today is the first round of YouthBuild grants from the Department of Labor awarded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Congressman Fattah was a driving proponent of that bill which contained key components of his Urban Jobs Act legislation. The grants will go to support additional academic and occupational skills training for at-risk youth in Philadelphia.

"I am especially proud to announce that two organizations in Philadelphia have received this first round of funding awarded from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This legislation was meant to ensure that our nation's youth have the skills and support necessary to succeed in a competitive labor market and, as a result of these grants, I am confident that hundreds more Philadelphia youth will be put on a path to success," Congressman Fattah said. "Both of these organizations are working each and every day to change the trajectory for our community's most at-risk youth. I commend their efforts and applaud them on this much-deserved grant funding from the Department of Labor."

The national YouthBuild program provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training in construction to at-risk youth ages 16-24, including those who have been in the juvenile justice system, those that are aging out of foster care or have dropped out of high school, and students who are at-risk of failing to reach key educational or career milestones.

YouthBuild is a unique partner program through the Department of Labor with proven short- and long-term benefits. In addition to serving their communities through building affordable housing for homeless and low-income individuals, YouthBuild participants receive additional training, academic support and mentorship, and other resources to ensure they can create a meaningful and productive life.

Nationwide, the grants announced today will go to 72 YouthBuild programs and serve an estimated 4,800 participants over the course of the next three years. For additional information on the YouthBuild program through the Department of Labor, click here.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Related Links

http://www.fattah.house.gov