U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AWARDS $1.1 MILLION YOUTHBUILD GRANT TO QUEENS COMMUNITY HOUSE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AWARDS $1.1 MILLION YOUTHBUILD GRANT TO QUEENS COMMUNITY HOUSE

February 6, 2019 (QUEENS, NY) - On January 30, the US Department of Labor announced that Queens Community House has been awarded a $1.1M YouthBuild grant. YouthBuild is a national education and training program that helps at-risk youth obtain their high school equivalency,  earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.  Queens Community House will offer training in construction. 

Queens Community House has operated youth employment services since 2006 and sector-focused occupational skills programming since 2014. The organization has also operated alternative high school supportive services in partnership with the NYC Department of Education since 2005.

During the two active program years of YouthBuild, QCH will serve 62 young adults who meet the YouthBuild criteria. The target service area is inclusive of 12 contiguous zip codes in Queens: 11416, 11417, 11418, 11419, 11420, 11432, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11367, and 11355.  QCH has provided services in this region for 35 years and currently run programming at 12 sites within the proposed service area.

“The data demonstrated a need for a YouthBuild program based on unemployment, poverty, and the need for affordable housing,” said QCH Executive Director, Ben Thomases. “We are excited to expand our extensive experience in these areas through the implementation of a this program in central and southern Queens.”

Occupational skills training, education, and supportive services will be located at Pomonok Community Center, one of QCH’s multi-service community hubs that is located within a NYC Housing Authority public housing development in southwest Flushing. QCH  will partner with the NYC Department of Education, who will provide a full-time Teacher and Teacher’s Aide to instruct students and implement testing to help students obtain their high school equivalency diploma.  

QCH will utilize the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)’s curricula for pre-apprentice level construction skills training. NCCER training will result in a nationally-recognized, stackable and portable credential upon course completion. Additionally, QCH will provide OSHA 30 training to ensure all students are well-prepped on safety standards. Following NCCER and OSHA completion, students will engage in work site activities building and renovating affordable housing in the region.

 “YouthBuild will provide our youth participants with an opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need for good-paying jobs in Queens,” said Thomases, “while also becoming more engaged members of their communities. That can be life-changing for a young person.”