Schumer Annouces $1.1 Million in Funding for United Way of Long Island's Youthbuild Program

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer 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 through the Department of Labor's (DOL) YouthBuild program aimed to support academic and occupational skills training for at-risk youth. In June, Schumer wrote a letter to DOL Secretary Perez in support of the United Way of Long Island's application.

"This federal funding will help the United Way of Long Island continue its great work by giving many young adults the opportunity 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."

For more than 49 years, United Way of Long Island has long been active in the effort to improve the quality of life of children, parents, families, and seniors on Long Island. YouthBuild Long Island, a program of United Way of Long Island, offers a second chance to help youths earn their GED while learning green construction career skills by building housing for the homeless. Since 2009, YouthBuild Long Island has had 140 graduates, with one-third moving into construction jobs, one third into other careers and one-third pursuing higher education. As a previously funded YouthBuild recipient and current YouthBuild USA Pathways to Credentials and Careers grantee, YouthBuild Long Island has initiated partnerships and utilized outside resources for job skills training beyond its established construction program, branching into health training, medical billing and coding, child care, computer, customer service, mechanics helper and dietary aide/food management certification.

The DOL's YouthBuild program is a community-based alternative education program that provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training 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 falling to reach key education and career milestones.

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