Congressman Higgins Announces Youthbuild Goes Green Grant for WNY AmeriCorps
$100,000 To Expand Green Building Training for Area Youth
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined WNY AmeriCorps in announcing a $100,000 federal grant to help Youthbuild “Go Green.”
“This provides the WNY AmeriCorps team, under the leadership of Mark Lazzara, with an opportunity to expand their services to local neighborhoods and train their members in the emerging green job sector,” said Congressman Higgins. “Today’s investment will result in energy efficient homes and life and employment skills for participating Youthbuild members, benefits that will last for years to come.”
“It is our aim that the young men and women who serve with WNY AmeriCorps gain confidence and self sufficiency.” said Mark Lazzara, Founder and CEO of WNY AmeriCorps, “This grant is an important step in ensuring our members are learning the latest skills and techniques for future employment while providing valuable services to the citizens of Western New York.”
Earlier this year WNY AmeriCorps was awarded a $687,492 federal grant for their local Youthbuild program. Youthbuild engages at-risk young people in projects that rebuild neighborhoods. The goal of the program is to pair real-world job training with leadership development. This additional $100,000 will build green capacity for Youthbuild allowing WNY AmeriCorps to provide professional development for staff and weatherization training for participants. It is anticipated that 32 members will be trained through Erie Community College to become accredited Building Analysts. Participants will receive job training alongside building professionals developing skills in assessing a homeowner’s heating, cooling and air leakage problems.
$5.8 million was made available through the Recovery Act for the Green Capacity Building Grant initiative. WNY AmeriCorps received the largest grant award amount allowed under the program and was one of only 62 agencies nationwide to receive an award.
WNY AmeriCorps will partner with PUSH Buffalo, Buffalo ReUse and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on the Youthbuild Goes Green initiative.
Congressman Higgins also took the opportunity to present the organizations with a Congressional recognition for their recent work on the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project.
“WNY AmeriCorps, PUSH Buffalo and Buffalo ReUse took on the assignment to develop a home and turned it into an opportunity to develop hope – hope for a family, a neighborhood and an entire city. While the spotlight highlighted their efforts last week, these organizations work quietly each and every day building better future for the Western New York Community and for that we are deeply grateful, “Higgins added.
