Press Release
Contacts
Everett Community College: Darrell Mihara, Dean of Basic Skills and Adult Education, 425-388-9581, dmihara@everettcc.edu
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County: Heather Villars, 425-921-3439, heather.villars@wdcsc.org
YouthBuild helps young people in Snohomish County
Everett, WA - Workforce Development Council Snohomish County (WDCSC) is pleased to announce its selection as a YouthBuild grant recipient from the Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Partners for this grant project include Center for Career Alternatives, Construction Carnival Task Force, Edmonds Community College, Everett Community College, and Housing Hope.
This program is such a boon for Snohomish County, explains Sue Ambler, CEO of Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. Not only does it provide for academic and on-the-job occupational skills training, but it provides meaningful work for at-risk youth in our county.
The $575,967 grant will allow WDCSC and Center for Career Alternatives to enroll 32 at-risk students, aged 18-24, to work half-time at Housing Hopes Rural Self Help Housing Program site learning construction and half time in classroom training provided by the Community College partners working toward a Construction Industry Training Certificate. In addition to receiving academic and occupational skills training, participants will develop leadership skills and participate in community service opportunities.
Were very excited about the partnership between affordable housing providers and workforce development, explains Ed Peterson of Housing Hope. The YouthBuild program provides for such a natural coalitionit helps youth begin careers while also building affordable housing for their communities.
WDCSC is especially grateful to Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, who have long been supporters service programs such as YouthBuild, most recently in their support for the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
About YouthBuild
YouthBuild is a youth and community development program that simultaneously addresses core issues facing low-income communities: housing, education, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development. In YouthBuild programs, low-income young people ages 16-24 work toward their GEDs or high school diplomas, learn job skills and serve their communities by building affordable housing, and transform their own lives and roles in society.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County (WDCSC)
WDCSC invests government and private funding to continuously increase the global competitiveness and prosperity of county workforce and businesses, fill current and emerging jobs, and provide full employment. Investments are made through effective business, labor, community-based, educational, and service provider organizations for the opportunity, economic well-being, and benefit of our entire community.
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