Easter Seals New York Awarded $500K Federal Grant To Launch Homeless Veterans Program

NEW YORK, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Easter Seals New York is pleased to announce a $500,000 federal grant from Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) which it will use to launch a vocational program for homeless or at-risk of being homeless veterans in New York City and Syracuse. HVRP is a federally-funded program run through the Department of Labor and its VETS Programs (Veterans' Employment and Training Service).

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Easter Seals New York's homeless veterans initiatives will first conduct outreach by recruiting homeless or at-risk of being homeless veterans.  Eligible participants will then go through an intake and assessment, receive hard and soft skills training and finally, employment placement and retention services.  Easter Seals New York's HVRP project will provide a continuum of care that will result in its participants' finding, securing and maintaining employment while receiving support services and referrals.

"Many of our veterans are returning home and facing various barriers to employment. They are great citizens who will make great contributions to the community and we are proud to offer assistance during this transition," said John McGrath, Chief Executive Director of Easter Seals New York.  "Our HVRP programs in New York City and Syracuse will build on similar Easter Seals efforts throughout the country, such as the Vets2Jobs initiative that we launched earlier this year."

Funded by BNY Mellon, Easter Seals New York Vets2Jobs welcomes any unemployed veteran, as well as those who are underemployed and experiencing barriers to moving beyond minimum wage.  Vets2Jobs will assess veterans' skills and interests, assist them with resumes and interviewing skills, and help place veterans in viable jobs.

"Many veterans struggling with unemployment live in communities – like New York City and Syracuse – that are working to better meet their immediate and long-term needs," said Frank Behlmer, Executive Vice President and Central New York Regional Executive.  "It is crucial that we invest in our veterans and provide them with real opportunities through an innovative and local approach to employment services."

Easter Seals New York hopes to serve 150 veterans in New York City and 100 veterans in Syracuse within the next year by focusing on developing and fostering community supports and engaging employment and workforce programs.

About Easter Seals New York
Easter Seals New York has been at the forefront of providing outstanding services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For more than 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals New York creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. In 2012, Easter Seals New York directly touched the lives of more than 20,000 individuals in New York State. Learn more about how you can help support children and adults with disabilities at www.eastersealsny.org. 

Media Contacts:
Irene Manolopoulos
Easter Seals New York
212-220-2290
[email protected]

SOURCE Easter Seals New York