Harkin announces nearly $1 million

10/12/2007

Participants receive education, job training while contructing homes for low-income families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Goodwill Industries / Wall Street Mission in Sioux City received $969,059 for YouthBuild Sioux City, which provides educational and job-training opportunities to 16-24 years olds who do not have a high school diploma. These funds were made available through the U.S. Department of Labor. Harkin is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations panel that funds labor initiatives and has long-fought to increase investment in job training programs.

“I am very pleased that we are investing in an innovative program that will help at-risk youth improve their neighborhoods and gain skills they can use to build a successful future,” Harkin said. “By helping young people build quality homes for local families as they further their education, YouthBuild is empowering Sioux City youth to make a positive impact in their community.”

YouthBuild Sioux City aims to prepare 32 young adults to be community leaders, go to college, and pursue other postsecondary training opportunities. Over the course of two years, YouthBuild Sioux City participants will work towards gaining their GED or high-school diploma and receive job training as they construct and repair housing for low-income families in their neighborhoods. Participants also receive additional services, including mentoring, employment, and personal counseling. A Business Advisory Committee will help these young people to obtain employment and make connections with trade unions as they transition out of the program.

It is expected that 64 percent of the students will earn a credential; 86 percent will become employed; 50 percent will enter post-secondary education, occupational skills training, or enlist in the military; and 50 percent will make literacy/numeracy gains.

Goodwill Industries / Wall Street Mission in Sioux City will partner with the Iowa Third Judicial District Juvenile Court Services; Western Iowa Tech Community College; Job Training Partners; Siouxland Habitat for Humanity; Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland; Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, Inc.; Iowa Workforce Development; and the Sioux City Community School District to operate this program.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Goodwill Industries / Wall Street Mission in Sioux City received $969,059 for YouthBuild Sioux City, which provides educational and job-training opportunities to 16-24 years olds who do not have a high school diploma. These funds were made available through the U.S. Department of Labor. Harkin is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations panel that funds labor initiatives and has long-fought to increase investment in job training programs.

“I am very pleased that we are investing in an innovative program that will help at-risk youth improve their neighborhoods and gain skills they can use to build a successful future,” Harkin said. “By helping young people build quality homes for local families as they further their education, YouthBuild is empowering Sioux City youth to make a positive impact in their community.”

YouthBuild Sioux City aims to prepare 32 young adults to be community leaders, go to college, and pursue other postsecondary training opportunities. Over the course of two years, YouthBuild Sioux City participants will work towards gaining their GED or high-school diploma and receive job training as they construct and repair housing for low-income families in their neighborhoods. Participants also receive additional services, including mentoring, employment, and personal counseling. A Business Advisory Committee will help these young people to obtain employment and make connections with trade unions as they transition out of the program.

It is expected that 64 percent of the students will earn a credential; 86 percent will become employed; 50 percent will enter post-secondary education, occupational skills training, or enlist in the military; and 50 percent will make literacy/numeracy gains.

Goodwill Industries / Wall Street Mission in Sioux City will partner with the Iowa Third Judicial District Juvenile Court Services; Western Iowa Tech Community College; Job Training Partners; Siouxland Habitat for Humanity; Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland; Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, Inc.; Iowa Workforce Development; and the Sioux City Community School District to operate this program.