Durbin Announces More Than $7.3 Million in Federal Funding To Support Workforce Training Efforts
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded $7,368,126 in grants to organizations in Chicago, Illinois that provide employment, training and support services to successfully re-integrate formerly incarcerated adults and youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system into their communities. The funding is made available through DOL’s Face Forward program, which targets youth involved in the juvenile justice system, and Training to Work – Adult Reentry program, which focuses on adults recently released from incarceration.
“We know that one of the best ways to end the cycle of violence, crime, and incarceration is to increase opportunities for workforce training and employment,” Durbin said. “The funding announced today will invest in programs that provide training, education, and mentoring services to help youth and adults get back on their feet and reconnect with their communities.”
Under this announcement, the following organizations will receive funding:
- SAFER Foundation (Chicago, Illinois): The Safer Foundation will receive a total of $6 million in funding, including $5 million through the Face Forward initiative and $1 million through the Training to Work – Adult Reentry program and;
- WestCare Illinois (Chicago, Illinois): WestCare Illinois will receive $1,368,126 in funding through the Face Forward Initiative.
The DOL Face Forward program targets organizations that provide juvenile offenders with support services, training and skills development to help them obtain employment and overcome the stigma of a juvenile record. Similarly, the DOL Training to Work – Adult Reentry program aims to help men and women participating in a state or local prison work-release programs gain the job skills necessary to succeed in an in-demand occupation upon reintegrating back into their community. Both grant programs target areas with high rates of poverty and crime.