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Sen. Umu Verbatim asks committee to fund Ujamaa Place workforce services
Summary
Sen. Umu Verbatim and Ujamaa Place leaders asked the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee for $2.5 million in FY2026 and $2.5 million in FY2027 to expand job training, GED enrollment and mental-health supports for Black men aged 18–30; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
Sen. Umu Verbatim asked the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Development on Feb. 17 to approve Senate File 12‑78, a workforce-appropriation request to expand services at Ujamaa Place.
Ujamaa Place interim CEO Michael Belton told the committee the organization serves primarily African American men aged 18 to 30 and has used prior state funds to expand coaching, a GED requirement for participants who lack a diploma, and mental-health and chemical‑health services. “With these additional funds, we will be able to enhance our programming, offering opportunities to young men who may need them,” Belton…
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