U.S. Department of Labor Awards $85 Million in YouthBuild Grants

Goodwill Omaha Recieves $895,437 Grant From U.S. Department of Labor For YouthBuild AmeriCorps Program

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) YouthBuild program has a network of more than 200 urban and rural YouthBuild programs in 46 states. On January 31, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that $85 million in grants have been awarded to 81 YouthBuild programs in 32 states. The grants range from approximately $700,000 to $1.1 million. DOL informed Goodwill Omaha that its YouthBuild AmeriCorps was awarded $895,437 to fund the program for two years in 2019 and 2020.

YouthBuild is an education and training program with a strong pre-apprenticeship component that helps at-risk youth complete high school or state equivalency degree programs. While doing so, participants earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

“The YouthBuild program provides invaluable opportunities for young adults in our community to achieve their employment, education and service goals.  We are extremely proud to be able to administer this program once again, in partnership with AmeriCorps,” said Tobi Mathouser, Goodwill’s Director of Mission Advancement.

The grants awarded this year mark a significant expansion of YouthBuild’s Construction Plus model which allows grantees to offer training in locally in-demand industries beyond construction in fields such as healthcare, information technology, hospitality and retail services, and logistics. To learn about the U.S Department of Labor YouthBuild program, please visit www.doleta.gov/youth_services/youthbuild.cfm.

Goodwill Omaha’s YouthBuild AmeriCorps program is a nine-month educational, leadership, development and occupational skill-training program for disadvantaged young adults. Member’s ages range between 16 to 24 and are underemployed and do not have a high school diploma. The Monday through Friday program runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m. with time split between classroom instruction and hands-on construction work. YouthBuild AmeriCorps is also a proud partner of the American Job Center network.

“I’m excited to further Goodwill’s mission by providing vital services to the young people we work with in our community,” said Norman Barnes, Goodwill’s YouthBuild AmeriCorps Manager.

YouthBuild AmeriCorps four areas of focus are paid construction training and education, leadership training, case management and follow-up services.