 Gabriel Martinez and Byron Weiss are in SE Works youth re-entry program. The grants will focus on helping adults who are still in prison transition into jobs as they ome back to the community. The programs will work with inmates before their release and for at least 9 months afterward. |
Seattle and Portland will both benefit from $20 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grants will go to 16 prisoner re-entry programs across the country to support training and employment programs for prison inmates in pre-release employment programs.
Portland's SE Works, whose employment programs were featured in The Skanner last month won close to $1.18 million in funding. Pioneer Human Services in Seattle was awarded $1.17 million. Other cities who succeeded in the competitive process were: Baltimore Md.; Birmingham, Ala.; Boston; Chicago; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Indianapolis; New York; Petersburg, Va.; and Oklahoma City.
"The grants announced today will help incarcerated adults build a bridge to their communities and improve their chances of success in life," acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris said in a statement. "Through the Training to Work program, the participants have a better chance of attaining employment by acquiring industry-recognized credentials, and as a result are more likely to positively contribute to their communities."
