Wyden, Merkley Announce Central Oregon Non-Profit to Receive $1.1 Million Grant

Washington, D.C. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that Heart of Oregon Corps, Inc. in Bend will receive a $1.1 million federal grant to help at-risk students with education and training. The U.S. Department of Labor grant will go toward the central Oregon non-profit’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild uses pre-apprenticeships to help young people considered at risk to complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

The U.S. Department of Labor grant will go toward the central Oregon non-profit’s YouthBuild program. YouthBuild uses pre-apprenticeships to help young people considered at risk complete high school or state equivalency degree programs, earn industry-recognized credentials for in-demand occupations, and undergo training to build housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities.

“This creative approach to educate and train at-risk students helps prepare them for future careers while making their communities better places to live,” Wyden said. “That’s a winning equation for the YouthBuild students and for all of Central Oregon.”

“I grew up building things and working with my hands and learned lessons that have stayed with me through my life,” Merkley said. “YouthBuild gives kids an opportunity to develop practical job skills and keep them on track to get an education. There are lots of pathways to success, and this YouthBuild grant will help provide an extremely valuable option for students in Central Oregon.”

The annoucement was made on January 30th. The $1.1 million Labor Department grant for Heart of Oregon Corps is among $85 million awarded to 81 YouthBuild programs in 32 states.