Donation to support YouthBuild job training program throughout the County
Oceanside CA- Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $25,000 grant to Urban Corps of San Diego County to assist with youth job training services. Urban Corps is a certified local conservation corps and charter school, providing young adults with green job training, education and community service experience, while protecting San Diego’s natural resources. The grant – which was given to the non-profit through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will fund the organization’s YouthBuild program, a model of the YouthBuild USA Affiliated Network. The Walmart grant will play an integral role in helping Urban Corps get the YouthBuild program off the ground, enabling the organization to hire a vocational job training instructor, cover a portion of program overhead, and provide uniforms and safety gear, certifications, tools, and instructional materials to program participants.
“Urban Corps is very appreciative of Walmart’s generous grant, which is helping to jumpstart our YouthBuild program, and provide construction training, industry recognized certifications, leadership development, and job placement to disadvantaged youth,” said Robert Chavez, CEO of Urban Corps of San Diego. “These services will help students gain life skills, overcome negative habits and experiences, and increase their chances of success in the workforce.”
YouthBuild students at Urban Corps will receive on-site and classroom-based vocational training in construction, qualifying them for industry-recognized certifications and enabling them to build and rehabilitate affordable housing. These services will complement Urban Corps’ existing job training and education programs.
“We are proud to support the efforts of Urban Corps of San Diego,” said Kim Sentovich, Walmart senior vice president for the Pacific Division. “Walmart strongly believes in giving back locally and we look forward to working with Urban Corps, as it works to positively impact the lives of San Diego’s youth.”
In 2012, Walmart contributed $11,800 in support of Urban Corps’ programs. This state giving grant displays an ongoing commitment to Walmart’s core principles of career opportunity and environmental sustainability.
“Urban Corps’ programs address critical educational, environmental and workforce development needs for our youth population,” County of San Diego Supervisor Ron Roberts said. “I am pleased to see Walmart’s continuing support of the organization and the great partnership the two organizations have created.”
The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Program granted more than $400,000 to nonprofits in San Diego County in 2013, including Accion San Diego, After School All Stars, Blessings in a Backpack, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Village.
In 2012, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world. This includes $1 billion in cash and in-kind gifts in the United States and $82.2 million in cash and in-kind gifts in international markets. In addition, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Logistics associates volunteered more than 2.2 million hours, generating $18 million to U.S. nonprofits.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.
About Urban Corps
Since 1989, Urban Corps has served as a bridge to a better life to more than 12,000 underserved, low-income young adults ages 18-25, providing them with the chance to improve themselves while improving their own communities. The organization provides a second chance at a high school education and paid green job training designed to encourage civic engagement, responsibility, and self-sufficiency. An onsite charter school affords participants an accelerated WASC-accredited high school diploma program, complete with hands-on support staff who ensure students succeed in the program and beyond. In the field, Corpsmembers gain tangible job skills on environmental and community improvement projects like graffiti abatement, urban forestry, recycling, landscaping and green building construction through the YouthBuild program. On average, 70% of graduates transition from the program with employment. For more information, visit www.urbancorpssd.org.