Mercer Island, WA – Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) is proud to announce that the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council (WDC) has been awarded $2 million by the Department of Labor’s Youth Offender Grant Program.

Through this funding, the WDC’s New Futures Network will expand its flagship youth “one-stop” center, to three additional locations in King County, providing comprehensive services assisting young adults who have experience with, or are close to facing the justice system. The New Futures Network youth center provides a place where youth can access multiple educational and vocational options supported by highly trained staff.

“Programs for youth and young adults in danger of involving themselves in criminal activity give an outlet of hope to them,” said Reichert, the former King County Sheriff. “The programs not only help young people individually, but also the communities and families that they are a part of. I applaud the WDC for their work in bettering these young lives and our community – and look forward to seeing the benefits stemming from the new centers formed from this funding.”

“This grant gives us an incredible opportunity to expand our proven services for youth offenders to South King County, where the need is great and resources are few,” said Marléna Sessions, Chief Operating Officer of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. “We know that training, work experience and career exploration are critical to giving young people a promising future, and through this funding we can bring those services to many more youth.”

Along with the WDC, 15 other organizations nationwide were awarded money for programs that offer career training, alternative education and apprenticeships. You can find more information on WDC here: http://www.seakingwdc.org/index.html.