ETA News Release: [July 7, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
Workforce Development Center in Sitka, Alaska
Receives $24,770 Grant from the U.S. Labor Dept.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced grants totaling $1.2 million to 48 faith-based and community organizations, including a $24,770 grant to the Workforce Development Center in Sitka, Alaska. The grants will help the organizations meet the employment and training needs of specific populations by coordinating with the public workforce system.
"The President and I are committed to helping all Americans access the tools they need to enter the workforce and advance in their careers," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "Faith-based and community organizations are in a unique position to reach some of the hardest-to-serve job seekers in our poorest neighborhoods. They are a trusted bridge that help workers connect with the employment and training resources available at local One-Stop Career Centers across the nation."
The organizations that receive these grants will focus on the needs of ex-offenders, immigrants, at-risk youth, single mothers, individuals with disabilities, foreign job seekers who face language barriers, battered immigrant women, low-income workers and the economically disadvantaged. In many cases, the grantees will provide supportive services and individual mentoring not available through the One-Stop delivery system.
"These grants will encourage small organizations to define the area of greatest need in their communities and develop partnerships and programs that lead to long-term solutions," said Brent Orrell, director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. "We look forward to supporting the efforts of faith-based and community charities to make their communities stronger and more self-sufficient."
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco said, "These grants to small, local groups will expand the reach of the public workforce system to individuals who might not otherwise be served. Leveraging resources of both the One-Stop Centers and local community organizations will close gaps in service and allow quicker achievement of a common goal - getting more Americans back to work in good jobs with career ladders."
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For further information about the grant for the Workforce Development Center, please call Shelia Finkbinder at 907-966-3066.
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U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7773 or TTY (202) 693-7755.
