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ETA News Release: [04/10/2006]
Contact Name: Stephanie Cathcart or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or x3984
Release Number: 06-631-DAL

U.S. Secretary of Labor and First Lady Laura Bush at Urban Youth Empowerment Event

Chao Awards National Urban League $20 Million For Youth Program

NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao joined First Lady Laura Bush at a Helping America's Youth event highlighting the role of faith-and community-based organizations in preparing youth for 21st century employment opportunities. During the event, Secretary Chao announced a $20 million grant to the National Urban League to continue and expand its Urban Youth Empowerment Program. National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial was on hand to accept the award.

"The income and self-respect that come with succeeding in a job is critical for young people trying to turn their lives around," said Chao. "With this $20 million grant, we are tripling the commitment to the President's Urban Youth Empowerment Program to help at-risk youth prepare for full-time employment. A significant portion of this grant will help young people in New Orleans and other areas that were affected by last year's hurricanes."

In 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration awarded $9.2 million to the National Urban League to design and implement a national model program for at-risk, out-of-school, and adjudicated youth between the ages of 16-24. In partnership with faith-and community-based organizations, Urban League affiliate sites are providing youth career-focused employability skills, paid internships, and on-the-job training to help participants enter full-time, private sector employment.

The program currently operates in Aurora, Champaign and Peoria, Ill.; Baltimore, Md.; Birmingham, Ala; Charlotte, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Rochester, N.Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Tucson, Ariz. Through this grant, services will continue in current cities while the program expands to New Orleans and other locales to be determined soon.

"The Urban League's Gulf Coast Employment Initiative complements efforts underway through the Urban Youth Empowerment Program," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "The Gulf program targets its services to older youth and young adults in Hurricane Katrina-affected communities from Houston and Austin to Oklahoma City and others."

For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit http://www.doleta.gov.