June 17, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The city of Phoenix will receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that will fund the first-ever “green” construction projects for YouthBuild Phoenix Partnership. YouthBuild participants will build two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified homes in established neighborhoods. The first home site is at 2935 W. Encanto Blvd.
The grant is part of the Labor Department’s annual YouthBuild funding for 2009. The city of Phoenix applied for $1.1 million for three years. The Department of Labor announced that approximately 63 percent or $687,500 of the funds will be awarded to Phoenix for the first two years of implementation.
The YouthBuild program helps out-of-school Phoenix youth, ages 16 to 24, obtain their high school diplomas or GEDs while gaining occupational training in the construction industry. Up to 63 individuals who will participate in these LEED construction projects also will learn about and earn industry-recognized certifications in green construction technology. In addition, the grant will create up to five full-time jobs – community organization caseworkers who will manage the YouthBuild projects.
These “green” YouthBuild projects support important elements of Mayor Phil Gordon’s 17-point Green Phoenix Initiative, by building greener neighborhoods throughout the community, educating youth about the importance of creating a “green” city and training youth in sustainable construction.
City of Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department staff wrote the grant request in November 2008, and mobilized new business and educational partners in YouthBuild to incorporate green building. Those partners are:
- Arizona Call-A-Teen Youth Resources, Inc. will coordinate the overall project and provide alternative educational services through charter school education and GED preparation.
- Maricopa Skill Center will provide occupational training in sustainable green construction to include industry-recognized credentials and workforce development training opportunities, and will revise the current construction training curriculum to included sustainable construction.
- Gateway Community College will connect the youth with apprenticeship programs in construction trades and will provide a three-day leadership development workshop (one hour of college credit).
- Tumbleweed will provide recruitment and co-enrollment services, employment-based case management, and connections to public and private business and employment placement services through the local Workforce Investment System.
- Labors Community Service Agency will provide on-the-job construction training, leadership development, and supervision for all construction projects.
- Habitat for Humanity will reinforce knowledge learned in the classroom by introducing participants to “green” construction techniques while building two LEED-certified “Platinum” level homes.
The city of Phoenix has been awarded YouthBuild grants since Fiscal Year 1996, impacting approximately 400 youth. Since its inception, YouthBuild Phoenix Partnership has built 23 new homes and completed 52 rehabilitation projects.
Media Contact:
Sina Matthes
602-534-6648
