As part of President Obama’s American Recovery Act, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded grants to 183 youth programs across the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said her department awarded $114 million in grants to 183 community groups last week to educate and train youth in poor communities. Of the groups that received grants, 62 are YouthBuild programs, youth community and outreach networks that support outreach groups in the U.S.
American Youthworks, a non-profit organization that works with Austin high school students interested in service learning projects, received an initial increment of $699,573 from the grant program.
Students spend half of their days in class and the other half building affordable, energy-efficient homes, said Chester Steinhauser, American Youthworks program director.
“So this is a way for all those guys that generally have trouble in their traditional four-walled classroom to practice their skills,” Steinhauser said. “At the same time, they are helping their community.”
Steinhauser said he hopes the program will expand to encompass building complexes for low-income families.
“I like single-family housing, but I’d also like to have a greater impact on the low-income housing community,” Steinhauser said. “Renovating condos and apartments into a multi-family dwelling situation would allow us to have a great impact.”
The YouthBuild programs across the nation focus on fostering strong academic skills coupled with job skills training, he said.
“This is a way for young folks to earn college scholarships,” Steinhauser said. “At the same time, they are doing a service for their community.”
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