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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.
OPA News Release: [01/30/2007]
Contact Name: Rick Manning and Suzy Bohnert
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x4665
Release Number: 07-0029-NAT
U.S. Department of Labor Recognizes the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board, The Skillsource Group Inc.
Workforce Investment Boards, Nonprofit Partners are “Champions of Compassion”
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Jay Hein, director of the White House Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI), joined Jedd Medefind of the U.S. Department of Labor CFBCI in recognizing the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board (WIB), and The Skillsource Group Inc., its operating arm, and nonprofit organizations the WIB funds for creating effective partnerships in service to Americans in need. The Northern Virginia WIB received funding from the Labor Department in 2005 as part of a nationwide initiative to reach those who might otherwise slip through the cracks of the social-services system.
"These organizations are true champions of compassion," said Jedd Medefind. "Their deep commitment and caring touch make that critical difference for so many who otherwise may have fallen through the cracks — the homeless woman or drug-addicted man, the ex-offender wanting a fresh start, the single mom struggling to get off welfare. These partnerships model what a difference we can make when government joins with the unique strengths of local faith-based and community organizations to serve our neighbors in need."
At the event, Angela Peterson told the story of how The Lamb Center of Fairfax, Va., touched her life. Once homeless, jobless, and an addict, with the help of The Lamb Center she found full-time work and has created a new life.
After receiving $481,500 in grants from the Labor Department in July 2005, the Northern Virginia WIB, The Skillsource Group Inc. and its nonprofit partners strengthened existing relationships between One-Stop Career Centers and faith-based and community organizations. Low-income, homeless, and limited-English-proficient participants benefited and found jobs in the construction, retail, and healthcare fields as well as other industries.
Organizations recognized for their work during the 18-month pilot program included: Benedictine Education Assistance Community Outreach to Neighbors, Bristow, Va.; Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church, GRACE Ministries of United Methodist Church, and Express Care Inc., Herndon, Va.; Business Development Assistance Group and Korean-American Association of Northern Virginia Inc., Falls Church, Va.; Charity Group of Good Affinity Inc., Haymarket, Va.; Good Shepherd Alliance Inc., Leesburg, Va.; Laurie Mitchell Employment Center Inc., Alexandria, Va.; Lincoln-Lewis-Vannoy Communities for Assistance and Improvement Inc. and The Lamb Center, Fairfax, Va.; Lorton Community Action Center Inc., Lorton, Va.; and The Korean Central Senior Center and Vienna Presbyterian Church, Vienna, Va.
Some 600 WIBs nationwide function as their communities' key, local-level organizations to foster workforce development under the federal Workforce Investment Act. The CFBCI helps Americans in need by fostering partnerships between government and effective nonprofit service organizations, whether faith-based or secular, large or small. For more information on the CFBCI and the WIB grant recipients and subgrantees, visit www.dol.gov/cfbci/.
Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.
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