Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation in Mayville will receive $241,519 in YouthBuild Grant funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and FY 2009 funding.
The funding will be used to provide education and training to disadvantaged young people. This training will include the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand and postsecondary education and training opportunities, opportunities for meaningful work and service to their communities, and opportunities to develop employment and leadership skills and a commitment to community development among youth.
"In these economic times, funding for education and job creation is a top priority," said U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-.N.Y. "There are few things more valuable than educational funding that directly prepares young people to be active, accomplished and successful members of the workforce. Training and service opportunities like the ones that will be provided by these YouthBuild Grants are of the utmost importance in building strong communities, a strong economy and a strong workforce."
CHRIC has been helping low and moderate income residents of Chautauqua County repair and maintain their homes since 1978 through grants for necessary home repairs grants to help landlords make their rental properties lead-safe, and assistance with adaptations for the elderly and disabled. CHRIC also provides other types of assistance including programs to help people purchase their first home, foreclosure prevention counseling, reverse mortgages counseling and loan programs designed for work-related transportation expenses.
YouthBuild provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16-24 while tapping into their energies and talents to construct or rehabilitate affordable housing for low-income or homeless families in their own neighborhoods. These youths split their time between the construction site and the classroom, where they earn their GED or high school diploma, learn to be community leaders and prepare for college and other postsecondary training opportunities. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as a mentoring, follow-up education, employment, personal counseling services and participation in community service and civic engagement - all provided with the end goal of nurturing the high-demand occupational skills needed to succeed in today's global economy.