ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- The state government is giving $40.6 million to a program that provides year-round jobs and training to youth in parts of Upstate New York afflicted with gun violence.

Launched last year, the Youth Employment Program expands upon a similar program for summer jobs by offering year-round jobs. From September 2024 to June of this year, over 4,000 students worked at schools, libraries, restaurants, camps, and other places through the program.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Aug. 20 that the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is awarding the money to local social services departments. The idea is that by employing young people at risk of poverty and gun violence, they can escape a destructive cycle of crime and prepare to enter the workforce.

Out of the $4

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