Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) today announced that The WorkPlace in Bridgeport, Connecticut, has been awarded $1,292,935 under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration YouthBuild program. These federal funds DeLauro and Himes helped secure will be used to help young people reach key educational and career milestones allowing them to both earn their high school diploma or equivalency degrees while learning valuable occupational skills.

“As the Chairwoman of the committee that is charged with overseeing and funding YouthBuild, I am thrilled that The WorkPlace is one of 68 recipients to receive this critical funding,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “This funding creates opportunities for young adults in Connecticut searching for on-the-job training while continuing their education. In the midst of pandemic recovery, The WorkPlace continues to do incredible work providing people across Southwestern Connecticut with life-changing job training and career resources to create a better future for themselves and their families. Congressman Himes and I are committed to ensuring federal funds like these continue to support Connecticut’s economy and strengthen our workforce.”

“To win the future, we need to be able to out-compete the rest of the world,” said Congressman Himes. “We can only do that if we have talented, well-trained workers who are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century economy. The WorkPlace understands that the key to this is training younger generations early, so smart, motivated individuals can succeed. That’s why Congresswoman DeLauro and I are so proud to bring home this money for YouthBuild.”

“The WorkPlace is dedicated to creating a more equitable future for all in the communities we serve,” said President and CEO of The WorkPlace Joseph Carbone. “We are grateful to be selected to implement YouthBuild which is grounded in the belief that all young adults have gifts to offer and deserve every opportunity to achieve a better future. I want to thank Representatives DeLauro and Himes for championing this effort to train workers to access good paying jobs.”

Established in 2006, the YouthBuild program provides funding for local non-profit organizations providing education and training for at-risk youth aged 16-24. Participants in the program learn construction skills while building or rehabilitating housing for low-income individuals.

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delauro.house.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 11, 2021
CONTACT
Katelynn Thorpe (DeLauro), 202-225-1599
Patrick Malone (Himes), 202-225-5541