Press Releases

Contact: 

Nicole Y. Williams or Staci Cox 

(202) 225- 4572

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Recently, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4), along with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), announced the release of grant funding to help juvenile offenders reintegrate into society. 

 

This funding is part of a $50 million grant program to 25 community-based organizations that will provide job training, education and support services to youth and young adults returning from the juvenile justice system. Milwaukee was awarded with two separate grants. The first grant will help fund a Southwest Key Program in Milwaukee entitled Project Jump Start. The second grant was awarded to the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board.

 

Project Jump Start serves juvenile offenders who are returning to high-poverty and high-crime communities and are either currently or recently released from confinement. The Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board specifically works with ex-offenders between the ages of 18-21 who were involved in the justice system as juveniles but were never convicted as adults. Both programs provide educational and workforce training. 

 

The Southwest Key Program grant totals nearly $5 million to be used across four cities. The Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board grant totals $1.5 million. 

 

“Recidivism is far too real for many ex-offenders,” said Rep. Moore. “There are many factors that contribute to a person’s criminal behavior. I support these programs that help our youth avoid becoming products of their environment. As a society, we must do what we can to help our youth break the cycle and realize that there’s more to life.” 

 

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