Media Contact:
Laura Byrnes, APR, CPRC
Director of Communications
Office: 352.291.9559 | Mobile: 352.816.1264
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2025) – The nationally-acclaimed Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program has received its fifth federally funded grant to deliver job training and employment services to underserved young adults.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion received $1,058,208 as part of $99.3 million in YouthBuild grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to 71 organizations in 31 states.
Phoenix Rising YouthBuild is an alternative education, community-based program that helps revitalize economically challenged neighborhoods while making a positive difference in the lives of deserving 18- to 24-year-olds.
This is the fifth consecutive grant obtained since 2013 by CareerSource CLM in support of the Phoenix Rising YouthBuild; to date, the program has received more than $6 million in YouthBuild funding.
Dale French, CareerSource CLM’s executive vice president, said that the YouthBuild grant “not only provides affordable housing options for residents of Marion County, but provides invaluable skills and opportunity for our area’s youth.”
French added that through the 20-week Phoenix Rising YouthBuild program, students split their time between workplace training and the classroom where they earn their high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for postsecondary training opportunities including college, apprenticeships, and employment. The program also includes significant support systems, such as mentoring, follow-up education, employment, and personal counseling services as well as civic engagement and participation in community service projects.
A key feature of Phoenix Rising YouthBuild involves construction of homes for deserving families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County. The new grant will serve 48 young adults over 24 months, resulting in the construction of four homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. To date, more than 225 students have taken part in Phoenix Rising programs in Marion and Citrus counties, completing construction of 32 homes (20 in Marion County and 12 in Citrus County).
The Phoenix Rising initiative was spearheaded in 2011 by then Ocala Police Chief Sam Williams in collaboration with CareerSource CLM and its youth services provider, Eckerd Connects Workforce Connection, along with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County and other community partners.
In addition to YouthBuild, Habitat, and CareerSource CLM and its youth services provider Eckerd Connects Workforce Development, primary partners include the City of Ocala, Marion County Board of County Commissioners, College of Central Florida (Hampton Center), Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation, Florida State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP), and Equal Housing Opportunity.
Phoenix Rising YouthBuild has become a national model of what communities can build when working together. It has earned recognition from the Florida League of Cities, National League of Cities, Harvard’s School of Business, and has received Habitat for Humanity International’s highest honor, the Clarence E. Jordan Award for creativity and innovation in building homes and communities.
The next round of Phoenix Rising YouthBuild projects is set to begin in the spring. Those interested in applying for the program or learning more are encouraged to call 352-732-1700, ext. 2293 or 800-434-JOBS, ext. 2293.
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CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is a member of CareerSource Florida and a proud partner of the American Job Center Network. CareerSource CLM is supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $15.4 million, revised annually. CareerSource CLM is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids/services are available upon request in Spanish and to those with disabilities. All voice phone numbers may be reached using TTY/TDD equipment via Florida Relay Service at 711. For accommodations, call 800-434-5627, ext. 7878 or email [email protected] at least three business days in advance.