Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03) announced $623,280 in federal funding is coming to Community Youth Services (CYS) in Olympia.  The funding comes as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, through the Department of Labor, specifically the YouthBuild Grants program. 

 "This money will create jobs in Thurston County, and provide much needed assistance to the members of our community hardest hit by our current economic crisis," said Congressman Baird.  

YouthBuild programs provide job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 while constructing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. Participants split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they earn their GED or high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for college or other postsecondary training opportunities.

Community Youth Services empowers at-risk youth and their families to meet their goals for safety, stability, belonging and success by providing a continuum of individualized services and advocacy.  CYS was founded as a small, non-profit social service agency in 1970. Since that time, it has grown steadily, responding to the diverse and ever-changing needs of the South Sound community. Today, CYS offers a variety of programs that serve nearly four thousand children, teens, and families in the region every year.

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