WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), along with U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-05) applauded a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) grant for $5,123,777 to The WorkPlace to provide job training and employment services statewide through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The award provides funding through the end of Program Year 2016 and following that, DOL expects grantees to receive funding for an additional three years.

“America’s seniors are valued members of our community and we must do everything we can to ensure that they have opportunities to be part of our workforce. Today’s funding will enable more seniors to not only participate in job training and secure employment, but also to contribute to our state through community service,” said the delegation. “We congratulate The WorkPlace for their tireless efforts in helping Connecticut’s seniors reenter the workforce, and applaud the U.S. Department of Labor for this critical investment in our community.”

“We are extremely pleased to be selected to provide this very important program that will expand opportunities for older, low-income adults to achieve economic self-sufficiency,” said Joseph Carbone, President and CEO of The WorkPlace. “Our experience serving the long-term unemployed through the nationally recognized Platform to Employment program has prepared us to provide the most promising workforce strategies to help individuals learn the employment skills needed to obtain good jobs and achieve financial stability. Our great appreciation goes to Senators Blumenthal and Murphy as well as Representatives Himes, DeLauro, Larson, Courtney, and Esty for their support of this opportunity.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the SCSEP fosters economic self-sufficiency for older, low-income adults by providing tangible job skills training through community service assignments at non-profit and public facilities. Participants are unemployed, low-income individuals, ages 55 years and older with poor employment prospects who will gain access to needed services. Participants can also receive employment assistance through the American Job Centers.

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