Himes, Lieberman, Blumenthal, DeLauro Announce Job Training and Housing Placement Grants for Veterans

Washington, DC – July 3, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4), Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded two grants to The WorkPlace, a Workforce Development Board in Bridgeport, Conn. The first grant for $299,670 was awarded under the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), and the second grant for $150,000 was awarded under the Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP).

HVRP grants provide occupational, classroom, and on-the-job training to veterans. These grants also provide job search, placement, and follow-up assistance to veterans as well. IVTP grants provide housing services to formerly incarcerated veterans who are at-risk for homelessness.

“A nation can be judged by the way it treats its veterans, and far too often ours return from overseas to find homelessness and unemployment waiting for them,” said Congressman Himes. “The Workplace has time and again risen to the occasion by helping our returning veterans reenter the workforce, and I look forward to working with them to ensure that these patriotic men and women receive the assistance they have earned.”

“Far too many veterans in Connecticut and throughout the country struggle to enter the workforce after returning home,” said Senator Lieberman. “Providing veterans with the tools they need to secure a future for themselves through these grants is one way we can honor those who have sacrificed so much for us. We are so fortunate to have Joe Carbone and his team at The Workplace who provide critical support for our veterans.”

“This holiday and every day, no veteran in America should be jobless or homeless,” said Senator Blumenthal. “These grants will help combat joblessness and homelessness among Connecticut’s heroes, and give them the honor and dignity they deserve. We must keep faith with the brave men and women who serve and sacrifice by ensuring that we leave no veteran behind, without a job or a place to call home.”

“With this grant, The Workplace, Inc. will continue to lead the way in the critically important task of helping veterans adjust to the civilian workforce. Under Joe Carbone’s leadership, The Workplace, Inc. has put countless unemployed Connecticut residents back to work and remains a national leader employing innovative strategies to help workers get back on their feet,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “I have been proud to work with Joe in these efforts and applaud him and his staff for all the work they do on behalf of the unemployed.”

“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Labor for this opportunity. We look forward to continued collaboration with our partners to provide training and support services that will help our Veterans find stable housing and enter the labor force,” said Joseph Carbone, President and CEO of The WorkPlace.“We appreciate the continued support that Senator Joseph Lieberman, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes and Congresswoman DeLauro have shown for our region’s veterans.”

The Department of Labor awarded 90 grants to state and local workforce investment boards, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations across the nation today. All of the grants combined total $20 million and will provide 11,000 veterans with job training and housing placement services.

For more information on the Department of Labor’s HVRP or IVTP programs, go to: http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/main.htm.