Local government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations can now apply for grants under the state’s 2023 Youth Corps Urban Gateway Enhancement program, which provides employment opportunities to underserved youth and young adults.
The state Department of Transportation’s Division of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action administers the federally funded program. The application deadline is April 17.
The program provides on-the-job training to at-risk youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 who have experienced barriers to employment. Participants receive life-skills training and employment experience in transportation enhancement projects through paid summer/fall employment.
NJDOT will partner with 10 cities or community organizations to create supervised teams of young adults that will design landscaping, pedestrian enhancements, murals or other streetscape improvements at urban gateway locations. The teams also will develop programs to maintain their project areas in good condition.
Each project will be supported by up to $32,000 in federal Urban Youth Corps funds for salaries for up to 10 young adults, a supervisor, equipment, and supplies. NJDOT will assign a supervisor to provide guidance to all the projects statewide.
“NJDOT is dedicated to helping build strong communities across the state. It is critical that we inspire, encourage, and coach young people to show them what fun they could have in transportation,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said.
Participants gain work experience that may help them succeed in future efforts to obtain jobs. Communities benefit from projects that create attractive gateways.
Grant proposals should focus on enhancing aesthetics in areas near state roads. Preference will be given to applications that address urban communities. For additional information and to apply, go to NJDOT’s website here.
Interested applicants may also contact NJDOT’s Division of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action by phone at (609) 963-2047 or email at DOT-CRAA.YouthCorpsProgram@dot.nj.gov.
