[Atlanta] 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Jomal Vailes
Email: jvailes@tcwfi.org
Tel: 404-230-7139


GRANT WILL CREATE GREEN JOBS FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF ATLANTA

ATLANTA (October 18, 2010) – The Center for Working Families is pleased to announce that it has received a $316,000 Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. JOLI grantees create jobs through business development and the provision of technical and financial assistance to employers in the community. The ultimate goal of the JOLI program is to promote economic self-sufficiency for the targeted populations.

“We are extremely thankful to Senator Isakson for his support of our work,” said David A. Jackson, TCWFI President and CEO. “The JOLI grant allows us to further implement a key tenet of our strategic plan, the creation and expansion of employment opportunities for low-income and employment challenged individuals.”

“I have worked with the Center for Working Families to address several issues that continue to trouble underserved areas in the City of Atlanta,” said U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. “The Center has truly risen to be an exemplary model for workforce development, entrepreneurial and asset acquisition programs.”

“This is great news not only for the Center for Working Families but for the residents of Atlanta who will benefit the most from this award.  With the unemployment rate in Georgia hovering at 10 percent, the creation of these new jobs will be in an area where they are most needed,” said Congressman John Lewis, D-Ga. 

Said Dennis Creech, executive director of Southface, “Southface is proud of this opportunity to partner with the Center, and to help provide green construction skills training to its participants. The work that will be accomplished through this grant stands as an excellent example of how we can collaborate to help revitalize our economy while creating a sustainable future for local residents.”

With support from the JOLI grant and other funders, TCWFI will launch a new business venture - TCWFI Construction Solutions - that will engage local agencies, nonprofit organizations and community leaders as partners in creating sustainable employment opportunities in green construction for TANF recipients and low-income individuals. The TCWFI Construction Solutions initiative will actively engage residents in transforming blighted communities while positioning them with sustainable employment and the job skills necessary to engage in Atlanta’s green construction sector. TCWFI Construction Solutions will create at least 19 new full-time jobs that pay a livable wage. Additionally, at least 35 individuals will be trained in soft and hard professional skills.

About The Center for Working Families, Inc. The mission of The Center for Working Families, Inc. (www.TCWFI.org) is to ensure economic success for hard-working families and their children. Launched in 2005 with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, TCWFI provides a combination of job placement, creation and development services, coupled with entrepreneurship and asset-building programs to meet the needs of at risk families. TCWFI is recognized nationally as a best practices organization for its leadership in community transformation through economic development and self-sufficiency.