Senator Montgomery and members of the Senate Democratic Conference call for $5.4 million in funding for New York State Youthbuild programs in the 2019-2020 budget

Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Senator Brian Benjamin, Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Brad Hoylman, Senator Tim Kennedy,  Senator Monica Martinez, Senator Rachel May and Senator Diane Savino call for $5.4 million in funding for Youthbuild programs in the 2019-2020 budget which would support the 21 YouthBuild programs located throughout New York State. 

The YouthBuild movement began forty years ago in New York State under the visionary leadership of Founder and Former President Dorothy Stoneman. Since then it has expanded nationally and throughout the world. In many communities across our state, YouthBuild is the only viable option for out of school youth. It is time for New York State to resume the mantle of leadership to fund a program with a proven record of accomplishment of transforming the lives of young people.

In their budget letter, the Senators note:

YouthBuild is one of the most effective and successful diversion programs in New York State. This nationally and internationally recognized program builds pathway of success foryoung people aged 16-24 who have been involved with the criminal justice system, out-of-school students and out-of-work youth.

YouthBuild programs provide high school equivalency educational services, stipends, college readiness, vocational and skills training (in fields such construction, building maintenance,green energy training, nursing. etc.), union apprenticeships, professional certifications (construction certification, certification), career services and job placement assistance, permanent economic self-sufficiency as well ongoing placement services and support for thousands of YouthBuild alumni. YouthBuild students also deliver hundreds of hours of community service while producing and preserving affordable housing their communities. Since 1994, YouthBuild students have created over 5,000 units of affordable housing our state.

As we move forward with the implementation of Raise the Age reform, YouthBuild valuabletool reducing recidivism rates (8% to keep young people out the criminal justice system. YouthBuild dedicates itself to our communities by moving young people toward self-sufficiency, and ensuring that participants develop skills for work and beyond.

Recently, the majority of YouthBuild programs were not awarded funding through the [United States] Department of Labor. large number of programs have begun the process of staff layoffs, implementing program cuts and are imminent danger of closing their doors. New York State funding is desperately needed to allow for the continuation of these important programs.

To read the full letter, download the PDF.

There are YouthBuilds programs located throughout New York State including DREAMS YouthBuild, New Settlement Apartments YouthBuild, YouthBuild SoBRO, YouthBuild Harlem, YouthBuild East Harlem, YouthBuild NMIC, YouthBuild IMPACT, WNY YouthBuild, Ulster YouthBuild, YouthBuild Long Island, New Directions YouthBuild, YouthBuild Rochester, YouthBuild Schenectady, YouthBuild Troy, Mohawk Valley YouthBuild, Utica YouthBuild and Westchester County YouthBuild. visited Albany to rally support for the New York State YouthBuild Act. To find a YouthBuild program near you, please download Senator Montgomery's Guide to New York State YouthBuild Programs.

To learn more about Senator Montgomery's work with YouthBuild and the New York State YouthBuild Act legislation, visit:

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2019/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomerys-new-york-state-youthbuild-act-0

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2019/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-senator-benjamin-senator-salazar-and

ttps://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-and-assemblywoman-richardson-welcome-nys

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-applauds-youthbuild-graduates

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomerys-new-york-state-youthbuild-act-s8073aa13a

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2018/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomerys-guide-new-york-state-youthbuild

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/dreams-youthbuild-members-meet-senator-montgomery-and

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-and-senate-democratic-conference-call-101

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/dreams-youthbuild-lobby-day-albany

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/state-senator-velmanette-montgomerys-legislative-report

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-celebrates-opening-brooklyns-newest-suny