Himes and DeLauro Announce $299,670 Grant To Provide Homeless Veterans Job Training
Washington, DC – August 17, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Representatives Jim Himes (CT-04) and Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-03) announced today that The Workplace, Inc., Southwestern Connecticut’s Regional Workforce Development Board, will be receiving a one year grant of $299,670 to provide local, homeless veterans with job training aimed at helping them succeed in civilian careers. The grant has the potential for up to three additional years based on funding availability. Communities in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven labor market areas will benefit from this grant award. The WorkPlace was selected from a competitive process, becoming one of only twenty-three organizations nationwide to receive funds through this initiative.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for this country. Ensuring they have the necessary tools to re-enter civilian life must be a top priority,” said Himes. “Through training and support services to help veterans find jobs and stable housing, The Workplace and its partners will help to improve the lives of our growing veteran population.”
“I am very pleased that the dedication and remarkable efforts of the WorkPlace has been recognized with this grant. For years, the WorkPlace, led by President Joe Carbone, has helped Connecticut residents find good, well-paying jobs— and their work with veterans is especially commendable. I believe we have a responsibility to these brave men and women, and applaud the WorkPlace’s efforts to put our veterans’ skills and knowledge to work, providing them with the training and support they need to be successful in new fields,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “This grant will ensure that the WorkPlace will continue to create opportunities for Connecticut residents, including veterans, and enhance our state’s workforce.”
Traditionally, the homeless Veteran population was thought to be older, Vietnam era, single men. Today, the reality is that the homeless Veteran population includes many younger Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans, female veterans with dependent children, and households facing economic hardship.
The WorkPlace Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project will provide services to chronically homeless male and female veterans referred by the CT VA Health Systems. The WorkPlace, along with its partners, the CT Department of Labor, Office of Veterans Workforce Development, Columbus House, Inc., Career Resources and Applied Behavioral Institute (ABRI) Homes for the Brave and Female Soldiers-Forgotten Heroes, will provide an array of training and support services to help our Veterans find stable housing and enter the labor force. Services will include supported employment, job training, life management, housing counseling, employability skills training, psychosocial rehabilitation and substance abuse counseling.
“We look forward to working with our great partners. This investment in training and support services is a tremendous opportunity to build better futures for our veterans” said Joseph M. Carbone, President and Chief Executive Officer of The WorkPlace, Inc.
Contact:
Phone: (866) 453-0028
Fax: (203) 333-6655
