Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today announced that the Oakland Youth Self-Sufficiency Project has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This funding will help high-risk youth between 16-24 to avoid the major institutional barriers that keep many youth from gaining and retaining permanent unsubsidized employment.  The Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) will administer the program, while the Youth Employment Partnership and Scotland Youth & Family Center will also be involved.   

The 330 youth served during this grant will come primarily from the juvenile justice or foster care systems, or they will have a disability.  Each youth will participate in the program for an average of 18 months. They will undergo a comprehensive program of screening, assessment, pre-employment training, employment skills training, subsidized employment experience, unsubsidized employment placement, and post-program evaluation.  

“I am very excited that the Oakland Youth Self-Sufficiency Project is receiving this funding,” said Lee. “Through this program, we will be able to help these youth so that on a long-term basis they will be able to help themselves.  The Oakland Youth Self-Sufficiency Project represents the sort of investment in people that we should be making.”  

“We are gratified that the U.S. Department of Labor saw the importance of funding the Youth Self-Sufficiency grant,” said Gay Plair Cobb, CEO of the Oakland Private Industry Council, Inc.  “Through this grant, a consortium of dedicated organizations will be able to assist Oakland’s at-risk youth, including those in the juvenile justice and foster care systems through intensive job training and financial literacy education.”

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