For Immediate Release
Contact: Sarah Dohl – (202) 225-4865
Funds Will Aid in Helping Young People Become Self-Sufficient Adults through Education, Job Training, and Community Service
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) announced that the Department of Labor awarded more than $600,000 in competitive grants to Austin YouthWorks (AYW), a comprehensive human investment organization that helps young people transform their lives and become self-sufficient adults through education, job training, community service, and a strong support network. Each day, AYW services a diverse population of more than 500 youth, ages 16 to 26 who are disproportionately poor with 88 percent coming from low-income households.
“Austin YouthWorks represents the best Austin has to offer,” said Congressman Doggett. “And, I am thrilled the Department of Labor has chosen to reward its good works, while at the same time, equipping the program to do even more good in the future. This program helps Austin youth who need community support to grow and learn, while at the same time helping some of our most vulnerable neighbors. This is the kind of work that should be recognized, rewarded, and imitated across the country.”
These funds will be used for a program called YouthBuild, which provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16 to 26 while constructing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Youth split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they can earn their GED or high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for college and other postsecondary training opportunities. YouthBuild includes significant support through mentoring, follow-up education, employment, personal counseling, and participation in community service and civic engagement.
“American YouthWorks is honored to receive additional stimulus funds for its Casa Verde Builders Youth Build program. Casa Verde Builders, in partnership with the City of Austin, teaches at-risk youth how to build energy efficient houses from foundation to finish while simultaneously pursuing their education. The green energy-rated homes are built in the heart of East Austin and are sold to first-time home buyers. Because of the heroic efforts of people like Congressman Doggett, our “hidden youth” in Austin will receive cutting-edge green jobs training skills that will broaden their opportunities for peaceful and successful lives. We cannot overstate our pleasure in President Obama’s commitment to national service, conservation, and the transformation of the urban youth culture. To realize our potential and create additional slots for these young people immediately is a profound victory. Many thanks come from our hearts to yours,” said Melinda Wheatley, Acting CEO, American YouthWorks
$600,000 grant is the most recent of many that have been provided to Austin through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Congressman Doggett supported and helped pass. Earlier this year, Congressman Doggett secured more than $7 million in funding for the local Austin Housing Authority to make improvements to affordable housing units in the area and complete other improvement projects in the community.
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