Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded two grants, each in excess of $1 million to help at-risk youth finish high school or other equivalency programs in West Virginia. The funds will also go to workforce training programs and be used to help build housing for homeless youth and their families.

“For our children, education is the key to a bright future and these programs will ensure that even West Virginia’s students whose parents struggling with addiction or other difficult circumstances at home are prepared for their future. I’m excited to see this funding head to Morgantown and Elkins. I will continue to fight for resources for similar programs across West Virginia,” Senator Manchin said.

“We are thrilled to be awarded this YouthBuild grant, which will enable us to work with another 70-80 young people to build their leadership abilities and job skills, and at the same time, build affordable housing. The award would not be possible without the commitment of many, many community partners here, who care about the next generation and want to contribute to their success,” said Karen Jacobson, Executive Director, Randolph County Housing Authority.

Individual awards are listed below:

$1,083,771– Human Resource Development Foundation, Inc. in Morgantown
$1,095,117– Randolph County Housing Authority in Elkins