Connecticut Workforce Development Boards Honor Representatives Walker and Kirkley-Bey For Leadership on Youth Employment

State Representatives Toni Walker (D. New Haven) and Marie Lopez Kirkley-Bey (D. Hartford) (seated in picture below) were honored by the Connecticut Workforce Development Council (CWDC) for their “unsurpassed dedication to the young people of Connecticut."The CWDC is the statewide organization for the five regional workforce investment boards.

The CWDC and its board recognized the tireless work of these legislators on youth employment issues through the years. They are also being commended for spearheading some outstanding successes, including the funding of youth employment programs, notably summer jobs, which was distributed to each region in the state through the workforce investment boards.

"Over three thousand youths from every region of the state directly benefited from the work of these dedicated legislators and the funding they made possible,"says William Villano, Executive Director of Workforce Alliance, the South Central Connecticut regional board. "The largest dollar amounts are targeted to distressed cities, where the help is most desperately needed, but the funding also benefits young people in many smaller communities. The jobs created as a result of the funding are in addition to those created within the private sector."

In addition to the money for youth employment, Representatives Kirkley-Bey and Walker, along with other regional legislators (i.e. Ken Green, Doug McCrory), also sponsor youth advocacy events that are held at the Legislative Office Building and State Capitol. Dozens of bright and capable young people bring evidence of the value of employment programs to the attention of our state leaders.

"Through exhibits and speeches articulated by the young people in our state many representatives are made aware of the good work being done and the commitment young people bring to Connecticut’s workforce," says Thomas Phillips, President & CEO of Capital Workforce Partners, the Hartford regional board. "These advocacy events also provide an unusual and important forum to connect youths with their elected officials who in many ways are deciding their future."