____________________________________________________________

Department of Labor Awards $4 Million in Funding for Faith-Based and Community Organizations

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $4 million in grants to 55 faith-based and community organizations competitively chosen to help hard-to-serve populations prepare for and succeed in employment opportunities.

"This administration appreciates the effectiveness of faith-based and community organizations in helping workers find jobs and build a brighter future for themselves and their families", said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The grassroots projects funded through this $4 million initiative will reach out to those most in need by providing guidance and support in making use of employment services available through local One-Stop Career Centers."

Projects receiving awards will serve individuals who face significant hurdles to employment, including welfare recipients, high school dropouts and ex-offenders. Grantees will provide personalized care and supportive services, such as mentoring or life skills coaching, to enable individuals to fully utilize the employment services offered at local One-Stop Career Centers.

"Faith-based and community organizations reach into communities, connecting individuals with barriers to employment to the resources available through local One-Stop Career Centers", said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "These organizations often provide the bridge to assistance that changes lives and contributes to the stability of families and communities."

The grants are part of the Labor Department's ongoing effort to partner its existing programs with effective faith-based and community organizations to better serve the needy. Today's awards more than triple last year's funding and will allow recipients to expand services into their communities.

"We can always do better for Americans in need when we work together with every willing partner", said Jedd Medefind, director of the Labor Department's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. "The personal involvement and caring touch of faith-based and community organizations often make the critical difference between recurring struggles and new beginnings."

For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.

____________________________________________________________

Fund for Women Awards $106,932 to Women and Girls Programs

Gloria Fine Honored with Driving Force Award The Fund For Women of the Delaware Community Foundation distributed $106,932 in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations and honored former Advisory Committee Chair Gloria Fine with its 2006 Driving Force Award at its annual program on May 15, at the Delaware Art Museum. Susan Sherk, current Advisory Committee Vice-Chair presented the award to Fine, one of the original founding members of the Fund for Women, recognizing her leadership and enduring support of the organization and its goals. Full release .pdf