August 9, 2011, Saint Petersburg, Fla. - Boley Centers, Inc. and partner, Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. have been awarded a one year, $300,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP) to help homeless veterans return to the workforce. Of the 23 grants totaling $5,436,148 that were awarded nationwide, the grant awarded to Boley Centers and HEP was the only one in Florida. Boley is the lead recipient and will provide job placement services and HEP will provide outreach and case management.
The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program brings together a variety of collaborating partners including the local Veterans Administration; the local Workforce Board, WorkNet Pinellas; homeless services and housing providers; employers; training institutions and apprenticeship programs. Multiple resources have been committed to develop a comprehensive system that removes barriers for participants by providing necessary housing, supportive services, educational and job training options, placement and follow-along activities – assisting Veterans with employment from recruitment to retention.
"Boley Centers, Inc. is proud to partner with the Homeless Emergency Project, Inc. (HEP) to expand homeless services for our veterans in Pinellas County," says Gary MacMath, Boley Centers' President and CEO. "We share in the national concern that veterans are returning from war and having an extremely difficult time finding employment within the present economic environment. This funding strengthens our ability to help men and women who have served our country and fallen to homelessness. Both Boley Centers and HEP already provide residential services for homeless veterans. Adding employment services will help provide another component of care in their recovery."
To learn more about Boley Centers, go to
www.boleycenters.org or call (727) 821-4819. To learn more about HEP, Inc., go to
www.ethep.org or call (727) 442-9041.
HVRP Grant
