BOSTON- Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy and Congressman Barney Frank today, announced that Old Colony YMCA of Fall River, Massachusetts will receive a federal grant of $900,892 under the YouthBuild Program of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The funding will enable Old Colony YMCA to improve its assistance to disadvantaged youth through education and employment skills programs. Old Colony YMCA focuses on education and training to help young adults complete high school and acquire the skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency in occupations in high demand.
“YouthBuild saves lives. It’s helped thousands of young people in Massachusetts and given them an education, a construction job, and the chance to rebuild their communities,” Senator Kerry said. “Youthbuild has been my cause in the Senate because I believe in its power to transform young lives. I’ve seen teenagers some people wrote off grow into responsible and successful adults because of YouthBuild. I applaud the Department of Labor for supporting such a worthwhile program.” 

“Senator Kennedy commends Old Colony YCMA for its leadership in enabling young adults in Fall River to obtain their high school degrees and obtain good jobs,” said Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Kennedy. “This significant grant by the Department of Labor will allow it to improve and expand its training program for many more young adults in the Fall River area.”

“YouthBuild Fall River is a valuable partner in the economic development efforts in the region, and I am pleased to learn that the organization will be receiving this critical funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Youthbuild program as a whole offers important job training opportunities to young people around the country, and, in addition to supporting this Fall River grant, I have worked hard to ensure that the entire program continues to receive the funds that are necessary for it to remain in operation. That will continue to be a top priority for me in Washington.”