Senator Patty Murray Visits South With High Praise
"I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska: A city engulfed in the perpetual cycle of drug abuse, crime and gang violence. I found myself, at the age of 18, serving a three year sentence in prison."
Those are the words of YouthBuild graduate Jacob Muon, a young man who, like many of his fellow students at the YouthBuild Workshop at South Seattle College, felt his chance for a successful, independent life may never come to be.
Yet, it has. Muon moved to Seattle after serving his time and found himself often homeless and never gainfully employed. One day, his cousin mentioned the YouthBuild program and Muon applied, was accepted, and started rewriting his future.
"My success and my independence would not be possible were it not for the YouthBuild program," he said. "Right now I'm independent, I'm still in school, and I'm getting all A's … I have my own car, paying rent and I have a bright future ahead of me. I hope this program continues to improve the lives of future graduates as it has for me."
As Muon, who was the valedictorian of last year's class, told his story he was flanked on either side by high-profile company, including U.S. Senator Patty Murray, South Seattle College President Gary Oertli, Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council CEO Marlena Sessions, YouthCare Director Melinda Giovengo, and current YouthBuild students.
It was May 27, and Sen. Murray was back in Washington State from D.C. to celebrate workforce programs including YouthBuild, and the passage of a federal act to support them:
"As a member of Congress, it's not very often that you have the opportunity to come home and share some good news from Washington, D.C., so today is an exception because last week I was able to join with a group of my colleagues – Democrats and Republicans, Senators and House Members – to announce that we have reached a deal across party lines ... to support programs just like the one we are at today, to train and educate American workers for the coming century."
The "deal" Sen. Murray referred to is called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and it's aimed at improving the nation's workforce development system by giving workers and students the resources to succeed.
Sen. Murray chose to visit YouthBuild at South Seattle College because it exemplifies the kind of program WIOA aims to support. At YouthBuild, 30 students struggling with homelessness and other obstacles are chosen each year to take part in a six month program at South where they learn construction skills while building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Back in the classroom, they continue learning building techniques, work towards GED and high school diplomas, and receive college credits from South Seattle College to springboard them toward an associate degree.
"As of this year we are extremely proud to announce that South Seattle College will be offering 38 college credits to the young people who complete the YouthBuild program here," YouthCare Executive Director Giovengo said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for our young people and we really want to thank you, Holly Moore (Executive Dean at Georgetown) and President Oertli, for helping and working with us to make a difference in new and innovative ways."
"We are really grateful for the Senator's leadership in introducing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act," Giovengo continued. "As you see here today, employment training coupled with educational opportunities are the keys to helping homeless and low income young people build the skills and the confidence that they need to move forward for the long haul."
"Thank you to President Oertli and everyone at South Seattle College for the great work you are doing here," Sen. Murray said.
For a full photo gallery from Sen. Murray's visit click here. To learn more about YouthBuild, please check out this recentSeattle Times article.