Funding Will Allow for Additional Enrollment for Pennsylvanians in Nationwide YouthBuild Initiative that Helps Youth Acquire Critical Work Skills / Casey Wrote Letter of Support to the Department of Labor on Behalf of the Program
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board (WIB) will be the recipient of an $822,673 grant funded by the Department of Labor’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild is a community-based education initiative that offers academic and vocational skill training to people ages 16-24 who have been in the juvenile justice system, foster care, are high school drop-outs, or are otherwise considered at-risk.
“It can be an immense challenge for young people who have faced hardships to get on the right path,” Senator Casey said. “The YouthBuild initiative offers tools to help prevent them from being left behind at this crucial moment in their lives. This program will help these children get the skills they need to compete in the job market. I am pleased that the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board will be able to continue to address the needs of their community with this grant.”
The WIB has previously been the recipient of this grant, and they have already successfully implemented a YouthBuild program that serves 48 young men and women. Their goal with this new funding is to expand the program in Fayette County and enroll an additional 48 students, primarily from Uniontown, PA. Those who are enrolled will be given the help they need to complete a high school diploma or GED, as well as key training and certifications in in-demand job fields.
The full text of Senator Casey’s letter of support can be seen below:
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution A venue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20210
Dear Ms. Fiala:
It is my understanding that the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has submitted an application to the Employment and Training Administration for a YouthBuild grant. The purpose of this letter is to urge you to give full and fair consideration to this proposal.
I am informed that the WIB successfully utilized its previous grant and met its goal of enrolling 48 participants in its program. I have been further informed that the WIB plans to use this funding to expand the implementation of YouthBuild in Fayette County. Specifically, I understand that the WIB, and its partners, hope to enroll an additional 48 students, primarily from the Uniontown, PA community. As it appears, this program will provide underserved youth with vocational skills, GED preparation, and on-site work experience.
Thank you in advance for the consideration of my views. Please include this letter in the official record of the application. Consistent with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, I also respectfully request that you keep me informed of the status of this grant application. Finally, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me or my staff.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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