August 06, 2014

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Funding for YouthBuild Program in WV

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller today announced more than one million dollars for the Randolph County Housing Authority to fund the YouthBuild Program. The $1,060,419 was awarded by the Department of Labor (DOL).
 
“I am incredibly pleased that Randolph County has received funding to support the YouthBuild program,” Manchin said. “This tremendously successful program promotes goals that we strive to achieve in all of our communities—education opportunities, career paths and leadership initiatives – and it instills in our youth the perseverance, determination and confidence needed to rise above challenging circumstances. This program will help West Virginia’s youth achieve success, and ensure they are well-equipped to keep West Virginia strong for the next generation.”

“The Department of Labor’s YouthBuild program truly changes the lives of the young men and women who participate in the program. It gives them the tools they need to get an education and prepare for the workforce,” Rockefeller said. “Besides the benefits for its participants, this program has been effective in boosting the well-being and economic success of communities across the country. This significant award will support the Randolph County Housing Authority’s efforts to help YouthBuild participants better themselves and their futures.” 
 
Senators Manchin and Rockefeller have both sought robust funding for the YouthBuild program. Most recently, the Senators wrote to the Senate Appropriations Committee in April to request needed funding for the program in the FY 2015 budget.
 
Operated by DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, YouthBuild is a highly successful non-residential, community-based alternative education program that provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training to youth who are significantly behind in basic skills, or in obtaining a high school diploma or GED. The program’s primary target populations are youth ages 16 to 24 who have been in the juvenile justice system, are aging out of foster care, have dropped out of high school or are otherwise at-risk of failing to reach key educational and career milestones.

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