WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two Franklin County organizations will receive new federal resources to provide educational and occupational training for at-risk Columbus youth between the ages of 16-24. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation and Youth Over Us Inc. each received a $1,100,000 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthBuild program.

“Helping young people get a foothold in the workforce is critical to Ohio’s long-term success. We must pay special attention to making sure that at-risk youth have the opportunity to get a good education and the job skills they need to succeed,” Brown said. “This funding will help the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation and Youth Over Us Inc. in Columbus continue their important work.”

The YouthBuild grants fund community-based alternative education programs designed to provide classroom instruction and occupational skills to at-risk youth. The program helps out-of-school individuals earn a GED or high school diploma and simultaneously provides occupational training. The program teaches participants skills in both construction and fast-growing areas such as health care and information technology.

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