|  At a press conference this month, our Local Conservation Corps (LCC) announced it has been awarded more than $800,000 from YouthBuild USA to implement the YouthBuild SMART Program, a program that will assist troubled youth ages 18-24 to achieve their educational and employment goals by providing comprehensive services to those who have fallen off track.
Start Making a Real Transformation (SMART) will build on the proven national YouthBuild program and will begin working with young people during incarceration to help them plan for their future.
“This SMART grant allows LCC to give these young people - who have been offenders in the past or who are directly coming out of detention – the resources they need to lead a productive lifestyle,” explained Shawn Riggins, LCC Director. “With the right opportunities, teachers, counselors, respect and care, these future leaders come to believe and achieve their goals.”
During the conference, John Wagner, Director of California’s Department of Community Services and Development explained the benefits of the SMART grant and how it will benefit our Local Conservation Corps. Other speakers included Fresno City Councilmembers Oliver Baines, Blong Xiong, and Sal Quintero.
The event wrapped up with some inspirational words from YouthBuild graduate Luis Chavez. Chavez, who graduated from the YouthBuild program in 1999, praised our Local Conservation Corps and Associate Executive Director Paul McLain-Lugowski for the skills and opportunities he received that allowed him to move forward and graduate with his Master’s Degree and become Chief of Staff to Fresno City Councilmember Sal Quintero.
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