San Diego Finalist for Youth Grant
The U.S. Department of Labor has named San Diego one of 12 finalists for grants intended to help youths from impoverished areas finish school and find jobs, Mayor Maureen O’Connor said Tuesday.
The selection entitles the city to a $75,000 planning grant and the chance to compete with 10 other cities and two rural areas for three-year grants of $2.5 million to $3 million each. Four grants will be made to cities, and one will be given to a rural area.
O’Connor said the city’s application will focus on reducing high school dropout rates, drug and gang activity and teen-age pregnancy, and improving access to career-track jobs. The grant would be spent in the Linda Vista, Southeast San Diego and Mid-City areas.
City Councilman Ed Struiksma, who represents Linda Vista, represented the city Tuesday at a press conference in Washington held by Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole. He later attended a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden where President Bush was host.
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