The New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to further the group’s YouthBuild program geared towards educating and providing job training to city’s at-risk young people, announced Rep. Bill Pascrell on Thursday afternoon.

“I’m proud of the NJCDC and the work of their YouthBuild program engaging at-risk youth in community service and workforce development skills. These young men and women are out there trying to help beautify their neighborhoods and creating a better city – which includes daily sweeps of the Great Falls National Park,” Pascrell said.

NJCDC received the highest grant amount across 35 participating states vying for federal YouthBuild grant money.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to learn of this award, and our ability to continue providing job training and education to about 150 young Patersonians in need of a second chance,” Bob Guarasci, NJCDC founder and CEO, said. “We’re grateful for the ongoing assistance of Congressman Pascrell, who always fights for NJCDC and the people of Paterson.”

YouthBuild is an alternative education program that provides job training and education to at-risk young people between the ages of 16-24.

Pascrell last year worked closely with the nonprofit to strengthen its grant application with the U.S. Department of Labor for this round of funding. The federal government announced $80 million in Youth Build grants to nonprofit groups to assist at-risk young people obtain educational and career opportunities.

77 YouthBuild programs received grant amounts ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million. Those programs will help 5,000 at-risk youth across the United States to obtain high school equivalency certificates, earn in-demand certificates for better job opportunities, and gain construction skills.

“Paterson’s youth keep our city vibrant and their passion for the Silk City matches my own. This federal funding is a testament to their hard work in service of the City of Paterson,” Pascrell said.