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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Youth Employment Development Initiative
Grant Announcement
Cincinnati, Ohio
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Thank you, Myrtis [Powell, President and CEO, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative].
I also want to recognize John Pepper [Chair of the Youth Employment
and Development Initiative]; Donna Jones Stanley [CEO of the
Urban League of Greater Cincinnati]; Dorothy Jordan [Executive
Director of the Citizens Committee on Youth]; Joe Hale [Vice
President at Cinergy], and Krystal Ross, one of Ohio's young workers.
Few people get through life without mistakes. We want to help young people
who have suffered setbacks in their lives to make sure the mistakes are not
fatal. That's why it's so important for at risk young people—especially those
who've have encountered some trouble in their lives—to get a good start and
a second chance if they need one. Access to training and employment services
can point them in the right direction and give them skills in demand right
now. By fostering strong ties to the community and to work, we can help them
build a bridge to hope and opportunity.
President Bush understands how important hope and opportunity are for Ohio.
The economy as a whole is strengthening, but there is still more work to
do in Ohio. Last year, the U. S. Department of Labor gave the state of Ohio
more than $365 million in assistance to help workers prepare for and find
new jobs. These employment services can be accessed through 92 publicly funded
One-Stop Employment Centers in Ohio. The One-Stop Centers in the Cincinnati
area are called Southwestern Ohio Career Resource Networks or Resource Centers.
Ohioans seeking jobs or jobs training can visit these centers, where the
atmosphere is friendly, the staff is warm and carrying and ready to help.
So I am pleased to announce a $1 million grant to Ohio's Department of Jobs
and Family Services . This grant will help at risk young people access training
and counseling so they can find jobs and make a good start in life. It will
help support the Cincinnati Youth Employment and Development Initiative.
President George W. Bush and this Administration are committed to
helping at-risk Americans, especially young people, build better lives. Today's
grant will help will provide summer jobs for students and year-round jobs
for at-risk young people who are out of school.
Now would Myrtis [Powell] and John [Pepper] please step
forward for the check presentation?
Thank you so much.
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