|
 Printer-Friendly Version
OPA News Release: [10/29/2003]
Contact Name: Ed
Frank
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Delivered Keynote Speech
at White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Announces More Than $1.5 Million in Grants to
Assist Those in Need
MEMPHIS—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
announced and discussed three faith-based grants totaling more than $1.5
million and delivered the luncheon keynote speech at the White House Conference
on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The three grants will assist those
trying to turn their lives around and build stronger community
partnerships.
“The President believes in the transformational power of faith in
helping people in need,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “The
Department of Labor is working to remove barriers for faith-based
organizations, whether it’s in programs that feed and shelter the hungry,
help those who want to work find a job, or train displaced workers with new
skills.”
The largest grant will go to the Second Chances initiative, which
received $1,050,000 to break the cycle of crime and imprisonment by building
employment partnerships between faith-based and community organizations, the
criminal justice system and local businesses. This grant, which is funded
through the Department of Labor’s Ready4Work program, will support
mentoring and other services for at least 375 ex-offenders over the next three
years.
The Workforce Investment Network of Memphis also today announced the
publication of a request for proposals (RFP) for a locally administered
$400,000 program to create neighborhood resource centers that will bring the
employment and job training system into the core neighborhoods of Memphis. This
RFP was the direct result of the Department of Labor’s Touching Lives and
Communities Initiative to bridge the gap between local workforce boards and
faith-based and community organizations.
The Memphis Leadership Foundation and the Hope Center of Greater
Community Temple Church of God in Christ received $98,000 to support substance
abuse treatment and employment services for 45 men and women over the next
year.
Secretary Chao was joined at today’s announcement by Memphis Mayor
Willie Herenton. The conference was co-hosted by the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the United States Departments of
Justice, Agriculture, Labor, Health & Human Services, Housing and Urban
Development, Education and the Agency for International Development.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
