BUILDING YOUTH WITH GRANTS
Funds go to educate, train at-risk youth
Two N.M. YouthBuild groups that have training and education programs to help at-risk youth will share $2 million.
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that $85 million in grants will be awarded to YouthBuild programs in 32 states, including $2 million to a pair of organizations in New Mexico.
The education and training programs are designed to help at-risk youth complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn skills and credentials for in-demand occupations, and learn to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families, according to a news release.
Help-New Mexico Inc. of Albuquerque will receive a grant of $990,258 while YouthWorks of Santa Fe will receive $1.1 million.
This round of grant awards allows recipients to offer training in local in-demand industries — not just construction, but in health care, information technology, hospitality and retail services and logistics.
The total national grants announced will fund 81 YouthBuild programs, according to the release.
The U.S. Department of Labor YouthBuild program boasts a network of more than 200 urban and rural programs in 46 states including New Mexico.
To find a nearby YouthBuild grantee visit www.doleta.gov/youth_services/ youthbuild.cfm.