Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced four South Carolina organizations will receive over $1.89 million in federal grants to carry out Youthbuild programs in Columbia, Manning and North Charleston. This program trains disadvantaged youth ages 16 to 24 in the construction trades while providing education training so that they can obtain general equivalency high school diplomas. In addition, the youth receive necessary social services, training in leadership skills, opportunities for placement in apprenticeship programs and economic self-sufficiency. The construction training component of the program results in the construction or rehabilitation of housing for the homeless and low-income families. “This program provides an excellent opportunity for young people in South Carolina to learn a trade and receive a solid education,” said Graham. “It will help prepare them for the rigors of the working world, and empower them to become self-sufficient members of the community.” Programs receiving grants include: Columbia Telamon Corporation will receive $394,000. Manning Macedonia Community Development Corp. will receive $400,000. North Charleston Palmetto Community Hope Foundation will receive $700,000. North Charleston Housing Authority will receive $400,000. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ####