February 8, 2019
The Children’s Cabinet Awarded Prestigious $1.1 million YouthBuild Grant from U.S. Department of Labor
Governor Sisolak and Senator Cortez Masto voice support for work-force development program providing opportunities for at-risk teens
(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, Truckee Meadows Habitat for Humanity, and Community Services Agency. The Department of Labor grant 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 the community. The Children’s Cabinet will collaborate with Habitat for Humanity, giving youth in the construction cohort the experience of constructing a single-family home for a low-income family in northern Nevada.
“It’s important for Nevada to invest in strategic and positive opportunities for all kids, especially those at-risk. We need to commit to making sure all Nevada youth have a chance to finish their education, learn a trade and gain work experience, and create a brighter future for themselves and their community,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “This grant, programs like YouthBuild, and organizations like The Children’s Cabinet, are important for northern Nevada and for kids that need more than just a second chance. Nevada youth need and deserve the tools, confidence and opportunity to improve their quality of life and create success.”
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto also commented, “Making strong investments in Nevada’s kids is essential to our state’s economic success. The Children’s Cabinet provides critical education and job training services to low-income youth in Northern Nevada. Its Washoe YouthBuild program empowers teens and young adults by teaching them important skills while also tackling our state’s affordable housing crisis. This $1.1 million dollar investment from the Department of Labor will allow the Children’s Cabinet to continue preparing our boys and girls for good-paying jobs.”
The Children’s Cabinet was initially awarded YouthBuild funds from the U.S. Department of Labor in July 2013. Since that time, 130 youth have participated in the Washoe YouthBuild program with 75 percent of participants obtaining construction certificates and/or completing credits needed for their high school diploma or High School Equivalency, and many obtaining employment or entering post-secondary education.
“The YouthBuild program provides significant opportunities for at-risk youth to transform their lives,” said Kim Young, Executive Director of The Children’s Cabinet. “It gives kids positive direction and experience supplemented by support from Children’s Cabinet case managers and other services. We are excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity as the program moves forward and to empower a sense of purpose and community in our youth participants.”
The Children’s Cabinet’s Washoe YouthBuild program provides each youth participant with 300 hours of academic instruction, 12 college credits through TMCC, multiple certifications in the construction industry (including CPR certification, OSHA certification, and training in green and solar energy), 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 81 YouthBuild programs across the U.S. including The Children’s Cabinet in Reno and Chicanos Por La Causa Nevada in Las Vegas.
Youth interested in participating in Washoe YouthBuild can contact The Children’s Cabinet for more information.
