MONTGOMERY— An $82,942 grant awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley is supporting a program to improve the academic and career outlook of Chambers County youth who are out of school or at risk of dropping out.
Operated by the Circle of Care Center for Families, the Youth Employment Skills program helps youth ages 16-21 with extra educational and job skills training. The program offers tutoring, GED and college entrance-exam preparation, college and workplace tours, job search assistance and interviewing preparation. Guidance counselors refer in-school youth to the program while out-of-school youth are referred by community partners such as Alabama Career Centers.
“Giving a second chance to youth who are out of school or at-risk of failing school can benefit the entire state by improving the overall skill level of Alabama’s workforce,” Bentley said. “I commend the Circle of Care Center for helping young residents to obtain skills to better themselves and become more productive citizens.”
The Circle of Care is a nonprofit organization in Chambers County that provides programs and services to strengthen and support families while improving the quality of life and promoting the safety and well-being of children.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Labor. ADECA manages a wide array of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, workforce development, energy conservation, water resource management, economic development and recreation.
Bentley notified Gloria Hull, the center’s executive director, that the grant had been approved.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley