Rep. Scholten Unveils $750k Federal Investment for Grand Rapids Urban League’s Youth Development Center

A video of the press conference can be found here.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) joined the Grand Rapids Urban League leadership team and families to announce that she secured $750,000 for the organization to construct their Youth Development Center.

The construction of the Youth Development Center will allow the Urban League to expand its programming for young, at-risk individuals in West Michigan, including programs to support academic achievement and retention, violence intervention, completion and graduation, college enrollment and matriculation, career development, vocational training, and job placement.

“As a mom and a legislator, I take my promise to lift up the next generation seriously–that’s why I put my words to action and secured this $750,000 investment to help set our young people up for success inside and outside of the classroom. I want the same opportunities for all young people I serve that I want for my own kids. I can’t wait to see how their programs will continue to change lives here in West Michigan,” said Rep. Hillary Scholten.

“I am excited about today because we asked our youth, they spoke up, and we listened. They wanted a league of their own and due to the efforts of Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Our Grand Rapids Community Foundation, we can provide them one,” said Eric Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Rapids Urban League.

This project represents one of the 15 Community Project Funding allocations that Rep. Scholten secured for Michigan’s Third District totaling more than $11.5 million. These projects will work to address pressing issues in West Michigan – from access to high-quality childcare to affordable housing, tackling the youth mental health crisis, and more.