Great Oaks High School and Career Center awarded $1.5 million grant

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Great Oaks High School and Career Center, a Des Moines charter school operated by Oakmont Education for students who previously dropped out of high school, announced it has been awarded a $1.5 million Department of Labor YouthBuild grant. Through the YouthBuild program, Great Oaks will expand its existing services, offering, education, job training and leadership development in construction and health care pathways, according to a news release. Participants will earn their high school diplomas while gaining hands-on skills through partnerships with organizations such as Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates and Des Moines Area Community College, aims to equip students with the necessary skills for careers as well as personal growth. “This YouthBuild grant allows us to create life-changing opportunities for young people in our community,” Jerry Farley, vice president of career technical education at Oakmont Education, said in a prepared statement. “By combining education, vocational training, and community service, we’re not only helping students reclaim their futures but also strengthening families and neighborhoods in Des Moines.”