Gillibrand Announces Over $9.5 Million In Federal Funds To Help At-Risk Young Adults Get Jobs

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $9,559,695 in federal funding for five organizations throughout New York State that help provide pathways to employment for at-risk young adults. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA). Specifically, the funding will be used to provide case management, skills training, tutoring, and mentoring services for young adults aged 18 – 24 who have been involved in the juvenile or adult criminal justice system. These services help ensure that at-risk young adults can gain the skills necessary to enter the workforce.

“Too often, people who enter the justice system early in life have a hard time finding a job once they re-enter society. This puts them at risk of becoming trapped in a cycle of unemployment, putting them at even greater risk of poverty and of being involved in the criminal justice system again,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding will help organizations throughout New York working to break this cycle by providing education, training, and support services to at-risk individuals, offering a pathway to success in the workforce. I will continue fighting for the resources that help our communities succeed.”

“Justice involved young people often lack the support and opportunities necessary to make real change in their lives. Through this program young people in Schenectady will have a second chance to become employed and actively engaged contributors in their community,” said Jennifer Lawrence, Executive Director, SEAT Center.

“As a County, it is critical that we provide the resources necessary to help our youth reenter society armed with the tools that are needed for success. This program will assist participants in identifying career growth opportunities, and preparing for a successful future,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

“We are very excited to launch the US DOL funded reentry program designed to assist young adults ages 18 to 24 successfully transition from the juvenile justice system to self-sustaining employment. We currently operate reentry services in Rochester and are looking forward to coordinating with community partners to serve this vulnerable population in Buffalo. We operate a very successful small business lending program in Buffalo that assists emerging entrepreneurs establish and expand their businesses. Graduates from the reentry program will be able to take advantage of this important resource,” said Stuart J Mitchell, President and CEO, PathStone.

The DOL allocated this funding through the ETA Reentry Project, which provides grants to national and regional nonprofit organizations that serve young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 and adults ages 25 and older who have been involved in the juvenile or adult criminal justice system. The goal of this program is to ensure participants find employment or education and housing opportunities. It is authorized under Section 169 of the Workforce Opportunity Investment Act.

Gillibrand has been supportive of programs to expand work opportunities for at-risk young adults. In April, she led the push to secure funding for the DOL’s Reintegration of Ex-Offenders program’s assistance for unemployed and out of school youth. Gillibrand successfully passed legislation, the Urban Jobs Act, in 2012 as a provision in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help support programs like this that enable nonprofit organizations to prepare at-risk young adults for employment.

A list of organizations awarded the funding in New York can be found below listed by region: