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ETA News Release: [08/16/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

Labor Department Announces over $5.8 Million to States to Partner with Faith-Based and Community Organizations

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced $5,808,813 in grants to Workforce Investment Boards to partner with local faith-based and community organizations. These grants will provide employment assistance to disadvantaged individuals throughout the nation.

“The President and I are committed to helping all Americans access the tools they need to enter the workforce and advance in a career path,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “These grants, totaling over $5.8 million, will help faith-based and community organizations reach some of the hardest-to-serve job seekers and help workers connect with the employment and training resources available at local One-Stop Career Centers across the nation.

The grants will enable local faith-based and community organizations to cultivate long-term partnerships with the public workforce system to help disadvantaged individuals—including limited English-speaking workers—to enter, succeed and thrive in the workforce.

“The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) 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.”

CFBCI works to remove regulatory barriers and develop innovative programs to foster partnerships between DOL-funded programs and faith-based and community organizations.

“Connecting faith-based and community organizations with the public workforce system will increase our ability to help 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.”

Through its collaboration with local Workforce Investment Boards, CFBCI provides underserved areas of the population with opportunities for career training and advancement.

For more information on the Department of Labor’s Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, please visit www.dol.gov/cfbci.

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