May 02, 2024

Duckworth, Foster, Durbin Announce Nearly $1.5 Million Youth Workforce Training Grant for Quad County Urban League

 

[AURORA, IL] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) announced a $1,499,110 grant for the Quad County Urban League as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) YouthBuild Program, a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational services for 16 to 24 year-olds who left school without a secondary diploma.

“I’m pleased to help announce this significant federal investment which will help the Quad County Urban League educate and train even more young Illinoisans for good-paying jobs in high-demand industries while at the same time helping create more affordable housing in and around Aurora. These sorts of investments can help change lives and communities for the better, and I’ll keep working to bring additional federal investments like this home to our state,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth.

“This investment in the Quad City Urban League will help provide a lifeline to those who may have fallen through the cracks of our education system, offering them a pathway to success and fulfillment,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “Through targeted job training and educational services, we are equipping these young individuals with the tools and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving workforce.”

“Building stronger communities starts with expanding opportunities for young people to strengthen their skills and get the training they need to acquire good-paying jobs in high-demand industries like construction, manufacturing, and information technology,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “For decades, Quad County Urban League has been the first step on the ladder for so many local young adults to begin a meaningful career in today’s workforce, and I’m thrilled that their important work will be supported by this YouthBuild grant.”

“Quad County Urban League is doing incredible work across northern Illinois to lift up our communities and make sure that we’re able to reach our full potential. The YouthBuild Program is a perfect example of that work,” said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. “Quality job training and mentoring is such an important part of jump-starting good careers for young people, and I’m so proud to bring these federal dollars home to support them.”

“President Biden’s historic infrastructure investments are generating jobs in communities across the country, creating an opportunity for the Department of Labor to ensure people who have been historically left behind have access to the training they need to acquire those good jobs,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “YouthBuild grants allow young people to receive the education and training to work in construction jobs or other industries, and to use those skills to improve the communities around them. These sorts of opportunities change lives and create pathways to the middle class for millions of workers.”

"The Quad County Urban League is extremely grateful to be a recipient of the DOL YouthBuild grant, which helps us carry out our mission of empowering young people between the ages of 16 and 24 for transformative change within their families and communities. We’re grateful for the support of our elected officials for the work we do, and we remain committed to promoting access and equity for marginalized communities as part of our core values,” said Theodia Gillespie, President and CEO of Quad County Urban League.

Today’s announcement from the DOL can be found here. More information about the YouthBuild Program can be found here.

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