FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2002

LARSON ANNOUNCES $900,000 GRANT FOR CO-OPPORTUNITY INC. OF HARTFORD

HARTFORD- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today announced that Co-Opportunity Inc. of Hartford has been awarded two YouthBuild Implementation Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a total of $900,000. The first grant in the amount of $700,000 will be used by Co-Opportunity Inc. to teach more than 40 young people in Hartford on-site construction skills by working to rehabilitate 50 homes in the Rice Heights area of the city. The program will work to provide a comprehensive and integrated effort to increase the academic, leadership and vocational skills of those involved. The second grant in the amount of $200,000 will be used to develop and support Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which allows program participants to accumulate savings for education, job training, homeownership or small business development.

Larson stated: "These important grants will be used to teach a group of young people in Hartford the useful skills of learning and practicing a trade as well as enhancing academic and leadership abilities. This program is a tremendous asset as we work to build a better Hartford, and it provides a terrific opportunity for the young men and women involved."

Donna Taglianetti, Executive Director of Co-Opportunity, Inc. stated: "This support opens a door to teach Hartford's young people about money management, and provide a strong incentive to save and invest in their own futures. This is a new opportunity made possible by community support for Co-Opportunity and for young people who too often struggle to believe they have a future."

Shawn R. Patterson, a YouthBuild student, stated: "This program allows us to be stable while trying to establish ourselves in a growing society."

Congressman Larson worked on behalf of Co-Opportunity Inc. in securing the grant through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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