RSS
˜ Ben Nelson
Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor that Nebraska will receive $1.54 million in grants to provide education and training to Nebraska youth. NeighborWorks Lincoln will receive $546,250; High Plains Community Development Corp, Inc. of Chadron will receive $477,000; Goodwill Industries of Omaha will receive $523,319.
“These funds will help give disadvantaged youth a leg up,” said Senator Nelson. “By providing hands-on training for young people, we’re investing in the future of Nebraska. These projects will support local youth organizations in the short term, and will provide valuable skills that participants will use for a lifetime.”
The Labor Department’s YouthBuild Grants provide disadvantaged youth with: the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities; opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities; and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development among youth in low-income communities.
All three Nebraska groups will conduct programs to provide job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 while constructing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Youth will split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they earn their GED or high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for college and other postsecondary training opportunities.
In Lincoln and Chadron, the program’s participants will work to construct units that are Energy Star Nebraska Green Build Certified. In Omaha, graduates of the program will receive 6.5 free credits in the Metropolitan Community College’s Construction Technology training program. The Chadron and Omaha projects will use funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus bill. The Lincoln project will be funded through the yearly operating budget of the Labor Department appropriated by Congress.
Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.
Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/issues/stimulus/index.cfmfor more information.
###
Search: For Nebraskans, Earmarks, Young Nebraskans, Children, Budget, Education, Press