Pima County has been awarded a $236,654 grant from the Department of Labor to help veterans obtain stable employment.
The Homeless Veteran's Reintegration Program in Pima County connects homeless military veterans with employment assistance, training programs and jobs that pay at least $12.50 per hour, according to an announcement. The county's goal is to enroll at least 100 veterans in the program. If its effort is successful, the grant can be renewed.
“This grant isn’t just about providing services," David Balderrama, Kino Veteran's Workforce Center director and program coordinator, said in the announcement. "It’s about moving our veterans forward into good-paying jobs.”
Daniel Sullivan, Pima County's Sullivan Jackson Employment Center program manager, will be among those working with the Kino Veteran's Workforce Center in assisting veterans to connect with the program.
“This program is going to do amazing things for people who made great sacrifices in service to our country,” Sullivan said in the announcement.
Sullivan, the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Old Pueblo Community Services and Primavera will partner to find shelter and other services for the veterans. Their work will allow Kino Veteran's Workforce Center to focus its efforts on connecting veterans to job-related services. The center will also assist with job-related expenses.
The Labor Department awarded 155 grants totaling $43.3 million to agencies across the country.