Project YouthBuild Awarded $1.35 Million Federal Grant to Help Area Youth Achieve Success

Press release from Project YouthBuild
Project YouthBuild has been awarded a $1.35 million grant from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL). The USDOL announced yesterday that Project YouthBuild was one of 68 organizations nationwide to be awarded. YouthBuild grants support a pre-apprenticeship model to help young people learn valuable occupational skills, earn their high school diploma, and prepare for post-secondary and career opportunities.
“YouthBuild meets young people where they live and wherever they are on their path to educational attainment and career success,” said Principal Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Suzi LeVine. “Even as these grants are awarded, the Employment and Training Administration is working on the next YouthBuild funding opportunity, always with an eye to equity and inclusion in terms of the communities involved and the individual participants served.”
Established in 2009, Project YouthBuild AmeriCorps is a 9-month educational, occupational, leadership, and pre-apprenticeship program for young people ages 16 – 24 who have low incomes and have dropped out of school. While enrolled in Project YouthBuild, young people have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma, earn multiple nationally-recognized construction and healthcare credentials, and participate in a rigorous leadership development program. Young people spend nearly half of their time renovating or constructing affordable housing throughout the City of Gainesville and Alachua County. Successful graduates are also awarded an AmeriCorps Seagle Education Award to be used for post-secondary education or trades school.
“All of us at Project YouthBuild are thankful for this funding award from the U.S. Department of Labor. We are excited this grant will provide access, opportunity, and support to young people, so they can reach their academic and career goals. Young people who have dropped out of school are often discouraged and feel forgotten; we want them to know we are ready to meet them where they are and help them on their journey to success.”, said Jonathan Leslie, Project YouthBuild Executive Director.
Project YouthBuild is now accepting applications for the Class of 2021-22. Applications are available online at http://www.projectyouthbuild.org or can be picked up at Project YouthBuild’s campus located at 635 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. Applications are due by July 31, 2021.
The Florida Institute for Workforce Innovation d/b/a Project YouthBuild is a 501(c)3 private-not-for- profit organization located in Gainesville, FL. Project YouthBuild’s mission is to support young people in the community through education, employment, and advocacy.