SER-Jobs for Progress | 201 Broadway Street – Houston, TX 77012 | 713.773.6000 | www.SERhouston.org

Federal and Local Leaders visit SER’s YouthBuild of

Houston Program

Houston, Texas - Tuesday, August 19, 2014, U.S.

Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez along with

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Mayor Annise

Parker joined together to visit and tour the YouthBuild

of Houston Program at SER – Jobs for Progress of the

Texas Gulf Coast, Inc.

The YouthBuild of Houston Program Offices and

Training site are located at 6311 Irvington Blvd. and

made possible through the generous partnership of

Harris County Department of Education. During the

visit, Secretary Perez, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson – Lee, Mayor Parker and Stan Marek of

Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. interacted with YouthBuild

of Houston Members and participated in hands – on

activities.

Fourteen youth ages 16 - 24 participated and exchanged

powerful stories of transformation and dreams to improve

their quality of life throughout the visit. “My dream is to

buy and sell houses and the skills I’m learning here are

setting me up to be a business owner one day,” said

Azarael, YouthBuild of Houston Member.

The visit ended on a higher note with a roundtable discussion allowing the Secretary and other

leaders present the opportunity to learn about the members’ goals and experience within the

YouthBuild of Houston Program. A powerful moment during the discussion was when Secretary

Perez shared with the youth to not be afraid of failure, but to learn from it.

SER-Jobs for Progress | 201 Broadway Street – Houston, TX 77012 | 713.773.6000 | www.SERhouston.org

The YouthBuild of Houston Program is funded by the Department of Labor and helps continue

the mission of SER – Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast, Inc. and enhance its youth

services by linking underserved youth with opportunities to obtain their GED, secure a high

growth occupation and earn a sustainable wage. According to Executive Director & CEO, Nory

Angel, “The YouthBuild Program is a great way

for SER to expand its youth programming and have

a deeper impact in the lives of the young people

needing our services. Furthermore, with the

provision of GED instruction offered by Harris

County Department of Education and committed

employers like Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. our

young people have more access to education and

employment,” added Angel.

The YouthBuild of Houston Program is a member

of the YouthBuild USA network which include 273 programs in 46 states, Washington D.C. and

the Virgin Islands. Together, the YouthBuild USA network engages 10,000 young adults each

year.

SER – Jobs for Progress would like to extend a

special thank you to U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas

E. Perez, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Mayor

Annise Parker, Stan Marek (Marek Brothers Systems

Inc.), Superintendent Harris (Harris County

Department of Education), Dr. Holund (Harris

County Department of Education), Nicholas E.

Lalpuis (Department of Labor), YouthBuild USA,

Victor Mandragon (SER - Board of Directors) staff

and especially our YouthBuild of Houston Members.

For information about SER – Jobs for Progress or this release, contact Ernest Lewis III, Director

of Development and Communications at (713) 773 – 6000 (ext. 115) or email

elewis@serhouston.org.