ETA News Release: [September 09, 2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: 202-693-3984
U.S. Secretary of Labor Awards $500,000 to Connecticut Group To Partner With Faith-Based and Community Organizations
Part of National $5.8 Million Effort To Partner With Faith-Based and Community Organizations
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced a $500,000 grant to Capital Workforce Partners in Connecticut to partner with local faith-based and community organizations to provide employment assistance to disadvantaged individuals.
"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. "These grants, totaling $5.8 million will help faith-based and community organizations reach some of the hardest-to-serve job seekers across the nation. Locally, the $500,000 awarded to Capital Workforce Partners will help workers connect with the employment and training resources available at local One-Stop Career Centers across the nation."
This grant will enable partnership with six faith-based and community organizations to build connections with the public workforce system's One-Stop Career Centers in Hartford and New Britain, two of the state's hardest-to-serve areas. Through the use of current faith-based and community organization connections, the project will provide adult education programs, life skills training, case management and other supportive services to participants.
"The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives wants to identify trusted institutions that provide valuable services but may not be partnering with government programs," said Brent Orrell, director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. "This initiative will help foster stronger relationships between local faith-based and community organizations and the public workforce system."
Participating faith-based and community organizations will serve as training centers for jobs in the retail industry. Three retail employers have committed to the project, which will place approximately 250 participants in employment.
"Connecting faith-based and community organizations with the public workforce system will increase our ability to assist people who might not otherwise be served," said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. "Working together, One-Stop Centers and local community organizations will close gaps in service and help us achieve our main goal-helping more Americans find good jobs with career ladders."
The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) works to remove regulatory barriers and develop innovative programs to foster partnerships between DOL-funded programs and faith-based and community organizations. Through its collaboration with local Workforce Investment Boards, CFBCI provides underserved areas of the population with opportunities for career training and advancement.
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