News From:

        U.S. Congressman John B. Larson

http://www.house.gov/larson          Serving Connecticut’s First District      
                                                                       
1005 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515          221 Main Street

        Hartford, CT  06106    

Contact: Paul Mounds-860-278-8888/860-539-4924

For Immediate Release: February 25, 2008

Larson Announces $691,000 in Federal Funding for Local Youth Services Group

HARTFORD, CT- Congressman John B. Larson CT-01 presented Hartford’s Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) on Monday with a check for $691,000 in federal funding to support their youth services programs.  The money will go directly to OPP two programs.  The first is an employment enrichment program that helps out of school youth become productive members of our community.  The second provides aid and social services to grandparents who are raising their own grandchildren.

Larson was joined by Bob Rath, President and CEO of Our Piece of the Pie, and Antwan Harris a Hartford resident and former OPP participant.  After completion of the youth employment program, Harris went back to school and became a paraprofessional at Hartford Classical Magnet School.

Congressman Larson also thanked Connecticut Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman for their tireless work in securing these funds for OPP.

OPP engages Hartford youth by offering development programs with a focus on college and workforce preparedness. The youth employment program prepares local out-of-school youth 14 to24 years old with the necessary skills needed to succeed in the workforce. They provide life coaching and college/post vocational planning for the students. While, OPP’s grandparent program offers counseling and guidance to grandmothers who are serving as their grandchildren’s guardian.

“OPP is truly one of the shining lights of our community”, said Larson. “The funding will allow OPP to further their dedication to the growth and development of Hartford’s youth.”

“This partnership with the Federal Government will enable OPP to expand its reach and help even more Hartford youth become successful members of the area’s workforce”, said Bob Rath, President and CEO of OPP.  “Programs such as these also help the region’s employers meet their labor needs and we thank Congressman Larson for his continued commitment to providing real opportunities for Hartford’s youth.”

For more information about Our Piece of the Pie, please contact Jo-Anne Leventhal at 860-761-7375.

(Left to Right) Antwan Harris, U.S Congressman John B. Larson, and Bob Rath, President and CEO of Our Piece of the Pie

(Left to Right) U.S Congressman John B. Larson, Antwan Harris, and Bob Rath.