Washington, DC-(Thursday, August 30, 2012) – Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced that the Alameda Heights Outreach Foundation will receive a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for the organization’s Dallas YouthBuild program. YouthBuild is a community-based education program that provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training to at-risk youth ages 16-24.

“It is great news to hear that the Alameda Heights Outreach Foundation will be awardedsuch a significant grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This news comes at a time when the foundation was facing afunding challenge to enroll more young people into their program. Now the foundation will have greater financial resources to provide young adults the certifications and skills necessary to achieve economic independence,” stated Congresswoman Johnson.

Alameda Heights Outreach Foundation received the highest amount awarded by the Department of Labor.  “On behalf of Alameda Heights Outreach Foundation, we thank Congresswoman Johnson for her continued support for our Dallas YouthBuild program. We appreciate her concern for today’s youth, for serving as an advocate for all constituents, and providing ongoing support in ensuring budgetary funding for YouthBuild programs,” said Artis Dean, Executive Director, Alameda Heights.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded more than $75 million in YouthBuild grants to various organizations to help out-of-school youth earn a GED or high school diploma, while learning critical skills in construction, health care, information technology, and other fields. The Labor Department actively funds 127 YouthBuild programs around the country.