PROVIDENCE, RI In an effort to promote education and job opportunities for young adults, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Providence Plan $700,000 through the YouthBuild program.YouthBuild Providence is an educational program designed to provide 16- to 24-year-old Providence residents a second chance at earning their General Education Development (GED) diploma while learning valuable occupational and life management skills. YouthBuild Providence uses construction training, leadership development, and academic preparation as tools to teach the values of discipline, integrity, and hard work.Reed, who has supported the program, stated, A lot of these young people have struggled in the past, but they are looking to turn things around and become independent citizens.  This money will offer more young people an opportunity to build for their future and help create a better educated workforce for Rhode Island.The mission of the Providence Plan is to restore hope and create new opportunity for the people of Providence through a comprehensive initiative designed to address the fundamental causes of poverty and urban decline.