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ETA News Release: [09/22/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette
Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $1
Million Grant For Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Grant Continues Services for
At-Risk Youth of Cincinnati
CINCINNATI - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
presented $1 million to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to
continue providing jobs and employment services for at-risk Cincinnati youth.
The grant will support the Cincinnati Youth Employment and Development
Initiative, which helps connect youth ages 14-22 to training and employment
opportunities.
"It's so important for at risk young people to have access to training
and counseling so they can find good jobs and make a good start in life," said
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "By fostering strong ties to the
community and to work, we can help these young people build a bridge to hope
and opportunity."
YEDI is a Greater Cincinnati youth employment partnership between the
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative which provides administrative leadership, the
Citizens' Committee on Youth which readies 14 to 15-year-olds for subsidized
jobs, and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati which prepares older youth,
ages 16 to 22, for unsubsidized work. Other local employers also participate
including community, faith-based and neighborhood organizations. Local
businesses are the other key ingredient that ensures meaningful work
experiences for local youth. Today's award is the remaining amount of a
two-year grant to the program.
During the summer of 2004, of the 1,100 youth employed in both
subsidized and unsubsidized jobs, the program achieved a retention rate of 85
percent. This was accomplished through emphasis on staff training, job
readiness and continual ongoing support for employers and youth. An average of
200 employers have participated in the program.
"YEDI has placed over 1,100 young people in summer jobs and another 370
in year-round jobs this year alone. More than 6,100 youth have participated in
year-round employment and job development activities in the four years since
the program began," said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for
employment and training. "Local partnerships are the key to the success of
employment and training programs, as this collaboration proves. These partners
have provided the community with quality youth employment solutions and
employers with good candidates to fill open jobs."
YEDI is also working closely with the Southwest Ohio Workforce
Investment Board's Youth Council which coordinates youth workforce development
activities in the Southwest Ohio area.
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