NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jericho Project, the nationally acclaimed nonprofit ending homelessness at its roots, has been awarded a U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Service grant of $111,580 to provide employment placements to homeless veterans.  Jericho's Workforce Opportunities program, a best practice in enabling homeless individuals to acquire the skills and confidence to seek, get and keep jobs, will deliver the services.  

"Jericho Project is proud to conduct this important work on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor.  We know that getting and keeping a job is key to enabling our veterans to reclaim their civilian lives with dignity," said Doreen Straka, Jericho's Senior Director of Workforce Opportunities.

Jericho's Workforce Opportunities program will be seeking to enroll 60 veterans in the program and secure employment for at least 40 veterans.  To achieve these goals Jericho has a dedicated Career Counselor to work to help veterans get on the road to full time employment, acquire the certificates or education they need to pursue their career paths and support them at each step along the way.  

Additionally, Jericho can help veterans attain part time positions and internship opportunities to gain confidence and a successful track record.

Straka takes a personalized and customized approach, tapping into individuals' interests and encouraging them to work or intern as soon as they are ready.

"Our veterans have honed exemplary skills and characteristics in the military – to include leadership, teamwork, reliability and the ability to focus under stress.  We look forward to preparing the veterans to call upon these strengths in the next stage of their lives," Straka added.

The U.S. Department of Labor grant will provide homeless veterans with job training aimed at helping them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded by the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

The total cost of Jericho's program is $127,758, with the generous Department of Labor grant will representing 87% ($115,580) of the cost of the program and 13% ($16,178) being financed by other non-government resources.

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations. These agencies are familiar with the areas and populations to be served and have demonstrated that they can administer effective programs. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on employment of veterans who are homeless.

More information on the Department of Labor's unemployment and re-employment programs for veterans can be found at http://www.dol.gov/vets. This documentation does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organization imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

For more information, see www.jerichoproject.org  

SOURCE Jericho Project

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