WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded a $564,454 grant to the City of Natchez for a program that trains disadvantaged young people to build homes for the needy, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran announced today.  The funds were delivered through the DOL’s YouthBuild grant program.  

“This funding is welcome news for Natchez,” Sen. Wicker said.  “By investing in young people while also helping provide quality housing for low-income families, the YouthBuild program creates opportunities that positively impact communities across the country.  I am glad to see this unique program is growing in Mississippi.”   

YouthBuild is a youth and community development program that simultaneously addresses core issues facing low-income communities: housing, education, employment, crime prevention, and leadership development. In YouthBuild programs, low-income young people ages 16-24 work toward their GED or high school diploma, learn job skills and serve their communities by building affordable housing.

For more information on YouthBuild, visit www.youthbuild.org.