United Way of Long Island awarded $1.4 million in YouthBuild funding
United Way of Long Island’s YouthBuild program has been awarded a grant of $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Labor, the sixth time the organization has been selected to receive funding.
The grant will continue to support academic, occupational skills training, and leadership development opportunities for young adults, ages 18 to 24, from the Wyandanch and Village of Hempstead communities.
“United Way and YouthBuild have been an invaluable resource to the Wyandanch Community for many years. So many residents owe their success to the work put forward by YouthBuild, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back,” said Beverly Theodore, director of the Wyandanch Community Resource Center (WCRC).
YouthBuild Long Island was established in 2008. A 2010 Congressional Grant of $1 million funded the SmartBuild Career Training Center, which houses a NYSERDA-funded state-of-the-art Pressure House. The program encourages trainees to take classes that teach in-demand skills sought by local employers, opening doors to workforce training and education for those who are neither working nor attending school, as well as for youth whose parents did not attend college.
“Without YouthBuild Long Island, I wouldn’t be the person I am today: because of the path that I took with YouthBuild, I was able to enter the construction industry and gain financial stability,” said Ulysess, a member of the YouthBuild Long Island class of 2015 from Wyandanch. “I now have a place to call home that brings my family closer together and am excited about being part of the future with a net-zero energy-ready house.”
Since its inception, YouthBuild Long Island has graduated 450 participants, with one-third entering construction jobs, one-third pursuing other careers, and one-third continuing their education. The U.S. Department of Labor grant will allow YouthBuild to expand its offerings, adding training in the fast-growing healthcare services sector to its established construction and renewable energy skills curriculum.
“United Way of Long Island has a proven record of empowering young adults through comprehensive workforce training in the construction and healthcare industries and is well-deserving of this competitive grant,” said U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02). “Their work provides young adults with the skills and resources they need to secure stable employment in high-growth industries.”
“United Way of Long Island recognizes the tremendous support of our elected officials, organized labor, Suffolk County Department of Labor, HempsteadWorks, and the New York State Department of Labor,” said United Way of Long Island president and CEO Theresa Regnante. “This grant underscores the power of collaboration and will enhance our efforts to grow Long Island’s economy.”
To learn more about YouthBuild Long Island and the SmartBuild Career Training Center, visit unitedwayli.org/youthbuild-long-island and unitedwayli.org/e3-smartbuild-training-center
