June 19, 2012
Harkin Announces Grant for Homeless Veterans Job Training in Iowa
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Goodwill Industries of the Heartland in Iowa City, Iowa has been awarded $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. The grant is intended to provide homeless veterans with job training to help them succeed in civilian careers and support effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Under this grant, homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services. This is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on ensuring the employment of veterans who are homeless. Harkin, as chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds labor initiatives, worked to secure funding for this program. He is also Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
“This program provides a very necessary hand up – not a hand out – to some of the most vulnerable in our community, homeless veterans,” said Harkin. “I am pleased that the Department of Labor is funding the Goodwill Industries program in Iowa City, which will provide key training to veterans to reintegrate them into the labor force.”