U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced a $1.1 million grant for New Jersey Community Development Corporation's YouthBuild program in Paterson. NJCDC's $1.1 million award was at the top among recipients across 35 participating states.

“I'm proud of the NJCDC and the work of their YouthBuild program engaging at-risk youth in community service and workforce development skills. These young men and women are out there trying to help beautify their neighborhoods and creating a better city – which includes daily sweeps of the Great Falls National Park. NJCDC was the top grant recipient in the nation this year, and I am glad to provide all the federal assistance I can to this dedicated group of individuals,” said Rep. Pascrell. "Paterson's youth keep our city vibrant and their passion for the Silk City matches my own. This federal funding is a testament to their hard work in service of the City of Paterson."

“We couldn’t be more pleased to learn of this award, and our ability to continue providing job training and education to about 150 young Patersonians in need of a second chance,” said Bob Guarasci, NJCDC founder and CEO. “We’re grateful for the ongoing assistance of Congressman Pascrell, who always fights for NJCDC and the people of Paterson.”

Last year, Rep. Pascrell helped NJCDC work with the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen their application for this round of funding. Rep. Pascrell also joined his colleague Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) in a letter urging the Appropriations Committee to preserve "strong and robust" funding levels for the YouthBuild program.

U.S. Department of Labor announced over $80 million in YouthBuild grants today to non-profit organizations to help young people struggling to reach key educational and career milestones and to equip themselves to be successful in the workforce and engaged in their communities.

YouthBuild is a community-based, alternative education program that provides job training and educational opportunities for at-risk youth, ages 16-24. The grants announced today range from approximately $700,000 to $1.1 million each and will fund 77 YouthBuild programs.

The grants announced today will help approximately 5,000 at-risk youth across the nation complete high school or state equivalency degree programs; earn industry-recognized certifications within in-demand occupations; and gain construction skills training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.