The Department of Labor today announced that New York is investing more than $2.5 million in new initiatives to end violence and gang activity in upstate New York. Governor Cuomo announced availability of the funding for the City of Syracuse and the City of Albany in Fall 2018. The funding is being awarded to qualified not-for-profit and charitable organizations in targeted areas of the state to provide education and employment services to help at-risk youth succeed in life and avoid both victimization by, and involvement with, criminal activity.

Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “The Department of Labor is thrilled to be a part of this initiative. Despite record-low overall unemployment rates, youth unemployment continues to be an issue. Unemployment is much higher for workers age 16 to 24, and these grants will go a long way towards helping to remedy that for a group of young people who really need the help."

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding will be awarded by the New York State Department of Labor. Selected programs will offer opportunities for constructive community engagement designed to decrease juvenile delinquency and justice system involvement. The funds will support serving youth who are authorized to work (or otherwise able to obtain authorization to work), are at least 14 years old but younger than 22 years old at the time of program enrollment, and are attending, enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in school, and reside in the City of Albany or Syracuse, NY.

Award Information:

Acting Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, “All too often, young people are lured into gang involvement or get caught up in other negative activities due to a lack of hope for their future. The opportunities created by these grants will offer that hope by providing tangible career options to guide them toward reaching their full potential. I applaud Commissioner Reardon and the Department of Labor for providing this support for these programs and making this investment in the youth of our state.”

Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Deputy Commissioner Michael C. Green said, "We applaud the Department of Labor for this investment that will connect at-risk youth to academic and career services to engage them in being productive members of their communities with bright futures ahead. New York has the lowest index crime rate of all large states in the country, and we have also seen record lows in homicides for the last two years. DCJS promotes evidence-based strategies to assist our local partners in reducing shootings and violent crime in our urban centers. This effort by the Department of Labor will complement our work, particularly as part of GIVE and SNUG, to make Albany and Syracuse safer by identifying and supporting at-risk youth."