WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) today announced that two organizations in New Mexico would receive a total of $1,655,454 to support programs that assist out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing construction job training.
The funding was made possible with a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's YouthBuild program. YouthWorks in Santa Fe will receive $934,454 and HELP - New Mexico, Inc. in Albuquerque will receive $720,000.
"In a still-recovering economy it is important to invest in our workforce by providing our young people with the means to get an education and a job so that they may provide for themselves and their families," Udall said.
YouthWorks will use their funding to help participants work toward their GED while acquiring green construction job skills. The program includes building ten apartments for homeless and low-income people in addition to the educational curriculum needed for obtaining a GED. Additional emphasis will be placed on leadership development and community service.
HELP - New Mexico, Inc. will work with rural Hispanic and Native American residents on obtaining their GED while participating in a one-year construction training curriculum. Participants will also take part in financial literacy education and will learn about entrepreneurship.
YouthBuild participants include individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, high school dropouts and others.
