For Immediate Release
Feb. 4, 2003

RICHMOND -- Governor Mark R. Warner today announced more than $1.9 million in employment and training grants to local agencies and organizations across the Commonwealth.

Eleven local Workforce Investment Boards will receive Welfare-to-Work Grants totaling $1.4 million. Ten agencies will receive Opportunity Knocks Grants totaling $500,000.

The federal funding for the grants comes through the Virginia Department of Social Services.

"With the budget difficulties that face Virginia, we must take full advantage of all federal funds available to help train our work force and give every Virginian the opportunity to hold a job and earn a living," said Governor Warner. "The Welfare-to-Work Grants will help place disadvantaged persons, including welfare recipients who need the most worker retraining, into transitional employment opportunities and lasting unsubsidized employment."

Social Services Commissioner Maurice A. Jones said Virginia has taken advantage of the Welfare-to-Work Grants since early 1999, and the programs in the state have been operating successfully. Jones said more than 3,000 individuals found gainful employment as a result of the program.

The grants will enable local Workforce Investment Boards to continue their programs until June 30, 2004. The grants include:

Workforce Investment Board	Fiscal agent	Amount
Southwestern Virginia	Russell County	$207,906
Western Virginia	City of Roanoke	$ 82,072
Shenandoah Valley	Rockingham County	$ 78,888
South Central	Lunenburg County	$152,635
Capital Area	Henrico County	$ 54,139
City of Richmond	City of Richmond	$142,348
Northern Virginia	Fairfax County	$ 60,640
Alexandria/Arlington	Arlington County	$ 32,285
Bay Consortium	Richmond County	$144,248
Greater Peninsula	City of Newport News	$131,290
Hampton Roads	City of Virginia Beach	$322,711
Total		$1,409,162

"The Opportunity Knocks Grants will support strong programs with successful records of helping young, low-income custodial and non-custodial parents obtain job skills, leading to employment," said Governor Warner. "Employment leads to self sufficiency and stronger families."

Commissioner Jones said Opportunity Knocks has served the state for 10 years. "Several organizations have a history of placing more than 80 percent of those enrolled in the program into unsubsidized employment," Jones added.

Each program receiving the grant will get $50,000. The programs include:

People Inc. of Southwest Virginia, City of Bristol
Total Action Against Poverty, City of Roanoke
New Vision, New Ventures, Inc., City of Richmond
Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board, City of Harrisonburg
Opportunity Inc., City of Norfolk
Capital Area Workforce Investment Board, Henrico County
Fifth District Consortium, City of Roanoke
Danville Community College, City of Danville
Culpeper Department of Social Services, Culpeper County
Richmond Career Advancement Center, City of Richmond

Marcella Williamson
Media Relations
(804) 692-1031
mkw900@email1.dss.state.va.us