HUD'S YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM DELIVERS $54 MILLION FOR SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING
King County to receive a grant totaling $700,000

SEATTLE - Fifty young people in King County who never finished high school will get a second chance to receive
their diplomas because of a $700,000 grant announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary
Alphonso Jackson. The grant is part of $54 million HUD is awarding through its Youthbuild Program to offer job
training and leadership skills to young people while putting them back on a path toward graduation. King County
was the only recipient of a Youthbuild grant in Washington.

This grant will help train youth for a future in the construction trades while producing two homes for lower income families who may be facing homelessness.

"This funding will offer hope and opportunity to young men and women across the country," said Jackson.
"Youthbuild enables them to return to the classroom, acquire construction skills and put their minds and hands
to work producing more affordable housing in their own communities."

Young people who enroll in local Youthbuild programs lack high school diplomas and the job skills necessary to find meaningful employment. The funding announced today will help young men and women, ages 16-to-24, to receive their high school equivalency diplomas and provide them training in homebuilding skills that will qualify them for
careers in the building industry.

"We are pleased to be funding King County's very successful program in which young people build homes in
partnership with Habitat for Humanity," said John W. Meyers, HUD's Seattle Regional Director. "The young people participating in this program gain self-confidence, leadership skills, and experience in the construction trades that
will enable them to lead productive lives."

Program participants will receive on-the-job training in the building trades and help build and renovate homes that
are then sold at affordable prices to low- and very low-income persons as well as to homeless individuals and
families. In addition, these grants are anticipated to generate millions of additional dollars from other public and private sources.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as
well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

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Lenard Burkhardt
Lenard is an 18-year-old man who has had a very hard life. At the age of 16 Lenard found himself all alone and completely responsible for himself. Lenard's father died early on in life and his mother was unable to take care of him in a healthy manner. When Lenard was only 16 his brother whom he was very close to died a tragic death. This incident was the last straw for Lenard and he soon turned to a life a crime. This led to months of incarceration and further alienation from society. Tired of his destructive lifestyle, Lenard went to several programs trying to get the help he needed to turn his life around but was unable to find one that worked for him. Lenard came to YouthSource
in mid August of 2004 as a last attempt.

Upon his entry into the program Lenard was immediately hooked up with a youth advocate who helped him develop
a plan for his life. During this time Lenard mentioned his interest in construction and from there was introduced to
the idea of joining YouthBuild. It became evident after an intense 4 week YouthBuild Challenge that Lenard had natural leadership, teamwork abilities, and self-advocacy skills and would be a great addition to the program. Lenard
is now finishing his second month of successful participation in Youth Build. Although he still has a lot of struggles such as a child on the way, housing issues, occasional substance abuse problems, etc. he is still dedicated to
working with the YouthBuild staff to address these barriers and become a mature and productive adult. He has near perfect attendance and wants to become involved in community leadership. For the first time Lenard believes he
can make a different way for himself��.with a little support.

Candace Mann
Candace started at YouthSource in April of 2003. Candace is one of the youth who had cycled though just about every system there was trying to find the right fit. Everywhere she met with only minimum success. Her life was
filled with crisis after crisis. Homeless and with no direction she found her way to YouthSource She had sporadic attendance and minimal participation. Candace had many barriers to school and work success including attendance, adjudication, and family difficulties. She was a quiet young woman who stuck close to the side of her big sister. In September she signed up for the YouthBuild Challenge and through those 4 weeks proved that she had great leadership skills, good thinking and an excellent ability to work with others. She has perfect attendance.

She is now one of only two females and she speaks up about issues affecting not only her, but also her crewmates. She has confidence and is building a stable foundation for her future. She plans on finishing YouthBuild, her GED and training to be a nurse. Candace believes that YouthBuild will teach her how to be an active and productive member
of her community and that what she has to offer is valuable.

Editors' Note: For details about the King County Youthbuild program or to arrange interviews with students,
contact Melinda Giovengo, Out-of-School Program Manager for King County, at 206-660-7157. Youths are currently building a home at 416 S. Henderson St. in South Park for Habitat for Humanity.