By YOUNG MONEY Staff
23 June 2010

A number of government agencies came together recently to announce that grant funding is being made available to help disadvantaged young people develop skills for future careers. The Labor, Agriculture and Interior departments said that $20 million in funding will be made open through a competition that will start this fall. People ages 18 to 24 who are ex-offenders will benefit through the money by developing skills toward careers in the outdoors while also giving back to their communities through their service. "We look forward to working on this rewarding and important partnership," said Harris Sherman, an undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Officials from the three departments announced the grant program during the Outdoor Nation Youth Summit, where young people had the chance to give their input regarding government programs designed to help them secure green jobs. Approximately 500 youths took part in the listening summits with government representatives during the meetings in New York City. Along with the grant program, government agencies will launch a pilot program in the summer, which will include job opportunities at national parks. This effort will be carried forward through the Youth Conservation Corps and, along with the grant program, could help reduce the backlog of work that needs completion at these locations.