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Archived News Release--Caution:
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Washington, D.C. -- The White House along with the U.S.
Departments of Commerce and Labor today announced that Goodwill Industries
International will receive a $20 million grant to recruit and train up to
10,000 welfare recipients as enumerators for Census 2000.
Goodwill will work with the nation's 520 local census offices to recruit
welfare recipients, provide them job readiness training, coordinate support
services for them and find them permanent jobs when the temporary census work
ends. Goodwill was selected competitively for the grant from Welfare-to-Work
funds, which are administered by Labor.
"This Welfare-to-Work grant is a classic win-win proposition," said
White House Chief of Staff John Podesta. "It will help welfare recipients
living in the poorest communities gain valuable work experience and move into
permanent jobs, while helping to make sure everyone in these communities gets
counted in the 2000 Census."
"Welfare-to-Work is succeeding because of innovative ideas and
partnerships like this one," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman.
"Goodwill Industries is well suited for this project, with its locations
throughout the country and its knowledge of various communities. With
Goodwill's help, these new workers will get training, support services such as
child care and transportation, and permanent jobs."
Commerce Secretary William M. Daley said, "Census 2000 will employ
860,000 workers, the largest peacetime mobilization in our nation's history.
These 10,000 welfare recipients will play a key role in reaching traditionally
undercounted populations, particularly low-income individuals and minorities. I
am pleased that the Department of Labor has joined us in this unprecedented
recruitment effort that will open new opportunities for welfare recipients."
The Census Bureau will provide the workers on-the-job training and pay
them at local rates ranging from about $8 to $20 per hour. The jobs will last
eight to 12 weeks, beginning in April 2000.
The Administration's proposal to reauthorize the Welfare-to-Work program
with an additional $1 billion will support innovative efforts that help more
long-term welfare recipients and low-income fathers move into lasting,
unsubsidized employment and support their families.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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