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OPA News Release: [06/29/2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x3984
Release Number: 05-1134-NAT

U.S.Department of Labor Awards Nearly $5 Million in Grants To Workforce Investment Boards to Partner With Faith-Based and Community Organizations

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced nearly $5 million in grants to 10 Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) to partner with local faith-based and community organizations to provide employment assistance to disadvantaged individuals throughout the nation.

“Faith-based and community groups reach into America's poorest neighborhoods to give a helping hand to those job seekers most in need,” said Chao. “These grants, totaling nearly $5 million, will help faith-based and community organizations connect these job seekers to the employment and training resources they need to succeed and which is available at local One-Stop Career Centers across the nation.”

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

The Department of Labor's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) works to remove regulatory barriers and develop innovative programs to foster partnerships between Labor Department-funded programs and faith-based and community organizations. Through its collaboration with local WIBs, CFBCI offers career training and advancement opportunities to underserved segments of the population.

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

2005 WIBs