Official Press Release and Information
The Children’s Cabinet Awarded Prestigious Grant from U.S. Department of Labor
$1.1 million YouthBuild grant will provide opportunity and experience for at-risk teens and young adults
(RENO, NV) – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that The Children’s Cabinet will receive a grant of $1.1 million over the next three years to continue its successful YouthBuild program for teens and young adults in Washoe County.
Washoe YouthBuild is a collaborative alternative education program led by The Children’s Cabinet in partnership with Truckee Meadows Community College, Northern Nevada Literacy Council and Community Services Agency. The awarded funds from the Department of Labor will enable The Children’s Cabinet, and its partners, to reach and train 60 youth between 16 and 24 years of age, providing education, skills training and ultimately employment in the construction industry or related field. YouthBuild aims to find and engage participants who are high school dropouts, low-income or homeless, involved with the criminal justice system, or aging out of foster care. The program supports participants in completing high school education equivalency degrees; earning industry-recognized certifications within in-demand occupations; and gaining construction experience by building housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their community.
“The YouthBuild program provides significant opportunities for at-risk youth to find real-world education and work experience to change their future,” said Mike Pomi, Executive Director of The Children’s Cabinet. “It’s more than a second chance, it gives kids the confidence and tools to learn on a non-traditional training path. It creates and fosters a new focus for these youth based on hands-on experience and positivity.”
The Children’s Cabinet was initially awarded YouthBuild funds from the Department of Labor in July 2013. Since that time, 52 youth have successfully completed the program with 71% of participants obtaining employment or entering post-secondary education, and 88% of participants obtaining construction certificates and/or completing credits needed for their high school diploma or Certificate of High School Equivalency (formerly known as the GED).
The Children’s Cabinet’s Washoe YouthBuild program provides each youth participant with 300 hours of academic instruction, multiple certifications in the construction industry (including CPR certification, OSHA certification, and classroom training in construction classes, green and solar energy), 12 college credits through TMCC, 65 hours onsite construction work, career information and job placement services, and ongoing case management and support. The newly announced Department of Labor grants will fund 77 YouthBuild programs across the U.S. and aim to help approximately 5,000 at-risk youth.
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The Children’s Cabinet is a Nevada nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping children safe and families together. Since 1985, The Children’s Cabinet has collaborated with public partners and community leaders to identify gaps in service and to meet the needs of a wide-ranging age group—from small children to young adults. Services include child care resources; parenting classes; education and work experience programs; outreach to runaway, homeless, and foster youth; and family counseling. With the help of donations and other community support, The Children’s Cabinet is able to provide its many programs and services at no charge. For more information about Children’s Cabinet, please visit www.childrenscabinet.org or call 775-856-0123. Follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/childrenscabinet and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ChldrnsCabnt.
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