MIDDLEBURY — United Way of Addison County (UWAC) was recently awarded a $17,500 two-year grant from the Vermont Community Foundation’s RALI (Regional and Local Impact) grant program. This funding will help support the creation and implementation of a mentoring program within Vermont Youth Works, a collaborative workforce development program presented by Vermont Adult Learning, the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, the Vermont Department of Labor, and United Way of Addison County. 
“We hear from our partners nearly every day that workforce development is a major challenge,” said Helena Van Voorst, UWAC’s executive director. “Vermont Youth Works responds to that need through an adult education, workforce preparation, and workforce training for youth 18-24 years old.
“The goal of Vermont Youth Works is to give participants the education, skills, and experience necessary to find and keep gainful employment,” she added. “The key to success for participants is connection. Having a local professional serve as a mentor will give students a huge advantage, one that will greatly boost their success both while they complete the program and after they finish.”
The RALI grant program is all about empowering communities by identifying pressing needs and supporting promising work. RALI grants are targeted toward the places in Vermont where philanthropic investment can make a particularly deep impact by increasing access to opportunity for low-income youth, families and their communities.