By Khalida Sarwari
A San Mateo County social services agency will receive more than $936,000 in federal funds to launch a regional site for the state’s Green Job Corps benefiting local at-risk youth.
As part of the program, the youth, aged 16 to 24 years old, will engage in greening activities that include assisting seniors with home weatherization, conducting energy audits at community centers, as well as community education and the restoration of public lands.
“We are directing youth in need of employment opportunities and giving them environmentally sustainable activities to participate in that also help our communities,” San Mateo County Human Services Agency spokeswoman Amanda Kim said.
They will also attend classes and training that will help them develop leadership, employment, financial and life skills.
The agency, which assists in the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and families, has been awarded $936,429 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to launch the regional site, one of only 11 pilot sites in the state.
Green Jobs Corps is scheduled to be launched in late August.