(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced that YouthBuild Louisville will receive more than $699,000 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help provide vocational instruction to unemployed and undereducated Louisville youth.

“As we continue to confront the problems caused by the recent economic downturn, it’s important that we implement solutions that help everyone – including our young people,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “This federal funding is an example of how our recovery efforts in Washington are helping Louisville families. The funds will go a long way toward providing a valuable education and training to Louisville youths who may not have otherwise had opportunities in this economy.

In partnership with an array of organizations including Jefferson Community and Technical College, Jefferson County Public Schools, the Louisville Metro Government, Louisville Metro Housing Authority, Kentuckiana Works,  the Home Builders Association of Louisville, and YouthBuild USA, YouthBuild Louisville provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth age 16 to 24.

Participants in the year-round program focus on learning the craft of constructing and rehabilitating affordable housing for low-income families in their own neighborhoods. On-the-job training at construction sites is combined with classroom studies, where students earn their GED or high school diploma.

The announcement of the funding came at the YouthBuild’s workshop at the Portland Promise Center in Louisville, where participants learn construction skills in the center’s workshop.

“These young people, many of whom have no previous construction experience, are learning the basic construction skills necessary to complete this project,” YouthBuild Executive Director Lynn Rippy said. “YouthBuild Louisville has been committed to the success of young people in our community since it’s inception in 2001 and these federal dollars come at a critical economic time.”  

Many YouthBuild Louisville participants are also learning "green" building techniques, assisting with retrofitting existing homes, and discovering how to help make their communities sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

YouthBuild also includes additional support systems, such as mentoring, employment, and personal counseling services.

The Promise Center also is a worksite for the Kentuckiana SummerWorks program, which is providing summer job training to 500 young adults throughout the state thanks in part to $1.4 million in Recovery Act funding.

The $699,600 funding allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be increased to a total of $1,100,000 pending the future availability of funds.