The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $47 million in grants to 14 organizations aimed at overcoming structural barriers and improving access to employment opportunities. This investment will support communities addressing violence, crime, and poverty that limit educational and employment opportunities for individuals aged 15 to 24.
The fourth round of Growth Opportunities funding will back programs providing jobs, skills training, and supportive services such as leadership development and mentoring. These initiatives are designed to prepare justice-involved youth and young people for success in the labor market. The grants are part of the Reentry Employment Opportunities program and include training to enhance participants' conflict resolution skills.
Authorized through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Growth Opportunities grants seek to offer resources necessary for people from underserved communities to develop foundational skills and opportunities for success. Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, these grants support training and mentorship for youth affected by community violence.
The recipients of the Growth Opportunities grants are:
- Latino Coalition for Community Leadership (Bakersfield, CA) - $4,800,000
- County of Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA) - $2,000,000
- The Institute For Educational Leadership Inc. (Washington, DC) - $5,100,000
- Key2Work Inc. (Indianapolis, IN) - $2,000,000
- Goodwill Industries International Inc. (Rockville, MD) - $5,100,000
- Roca Inc. (Chelsea, MA) - $5,090,313
- YouthBuild USA Inc. (Roxbury, MA) - $2,697591
- Youth Development Inc. (Albuquerque NM) - $20000
- National Urban League (New York NY) - $51000
- PathStone Corp. (Rochester NY)$184600
- Urban League of Rochester NY Inc. (Rochester NY)$20000
-Social Enterprise & Training Center Inc. (Schenectady NY)$20000
-Family Health International Durham NC$51000
-Austin Area Urban League Inc Austin TX$1949973
