Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District announced today that Santa Fe YouthBuild and HELP – New Mexico, Inc. are receiving YouthBuild grants through the Department of Labor to provide education and training to young people across Northern New Mexico.  These grants are part of $30.6 million provided by the Department of Labor to YouthBuild programs across the United States.

“Not only does YouthBuild help give young adults the training and knowledge they need to succeed, it gives them the confidence to achieve their goals,” Congressman Luján said.  “By placing an emphasis on both education and vocational training, YouthBuild programs in New Mexico will help give young adults an opportunity to get ahead while serving their community.”

YouthBuild grants help young people – including individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, and high school dropouts – receive academic and occupational skills training, develop leadership skills, and participate in community service opportunities.

Santa Fe YouthBuild will receive $935,454 to help participants work toward their GED while acquiring green construction job skills.  They will build 10 universally accessible apartments for homeless and low-income people to live in upon their completion of the residential substance abuse treatment program provided by the Santa Fe Recovery Center.  The educational curriculum used by Santa Fe YouthBuild will consist of the following features: bilingual individualized GED preparation and basic skills; hands-on group projects emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), sustainability, and civic engagement; “STEP UP” live skills training, financial literacy and money management seminars; group coaching session on job readiness skills; and college and career success training.

HELP – New Mexico, Inc. will receive $720,000 for a program that will require participants to work toward achieving their GED while completing a one-year construction training curriculum.  Youth will also participate in financial literacy education and have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship.

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