MEDIA CONTACT:

STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, 7.3.12

Congressman Clay and Mayor Slay Announce $600,000 in

Federal Grants to Support Job Training for Veterans

ST. LOUIS – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri and St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $600,000 in federal grants to be shared by the City of St. Louis and the St. Patrick Center to advance their on-going efforts to help veterans with job training and to combat homelessness among those who have served. 

In an event this afternoon at the St. Patrick Center in downtown St. Louis, Congressman Clay said, “I want to personally thank President Obama and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis for supporting my efforts to take care of our veterans when they come home.  These job training programs are essential.  And I’m very pleased to help provide $600,000 in federal grants, to be shared equally by the City of St. Louis and the wonderful St. Patrick Center, as part of the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.” 

Mr. Clay continued, “Tomorrow, as we celebrate our nation’s freedom, let’s take a moment to remember that freedom is not free.  We stand here today as a free people, because our veterans were willing to serve. Now, it is our duty to stand up and serve them when they come home.”

Also included are grants that are designed to address difficult to serve subpopulations of homeless Veterans, the Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families Program and the Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program. 

“This funding will allow St. Patrick Center to continue our nationally-recognized work with veterans throughout our community," said St. Patrick Center CEO Tom Etling. "We appreciate our innovative partnership with the U.S Department of Labor and the City of St. Louis, as there are no better advocates for our clients than Congressman Clay and Mayor Slay."

HVRP grants provide occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services.

“The City of St. Louis has a long history of working hard to serve our veterans,” said Mayor Slay. “I’m pleased that we have continued to receive federal grant money to continue our efforts.”

Grantees under the HVRP program network and coordinate their efforts with various local, state and federal social service providers to maximize the assistance available to assist the homeless veteran.  More information on the Department of Labor’s unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found at www.dol.gov/vets

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