Employment Security awards funds for community projects in Thurston County - October 21, 2009

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Media contact: Mark Varadian, Communications Manager, 360-902-9454

OLYMPIA – The state Employment Security Department has awarded grants worth $220,000 to Thurston County public-service programs.

Community Youth Services received $175,000 to help pay for 56 Washington Reading Corps members who serve in early learning centers and tutor K-6 students one-on-one or in small groups, act as a positive mentor to those targeted students, and promote family literacy.

The Veteran’s Department received $45,000 to help pay for 10 Washington Service Corps members who serve at ten Washington colleges to help an influx of new veterans navigate the college system so they can maximize their college experience.

“These grants improve the lives of people across our state while also creating meaningful experiences for our Corps members,” said Karen Lee, commissioner of the Employment Security Department.

Nearly $2 million is being distributed to school districts, counties, learning centers, housing authorities and non-profit groups to support 26 team projects over the coming year. Team members will provide services in 26 of Washington’s 39 counties from September 2009 through August 2010.

Funding for the grants comes from the federal AmeriCorps and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) programs.  Employment Security distributes the money to local communities throughout Washington to cover operating costs and provide stipends to Corps members to serve on a wide range of public-service projects.

Created by the state legislature in 1983 and administered by the Employment Security Department, the Washington Service Corps (which includes Reading Corps) engages the talents, energy and enthusiasm of civic-minded adults, aged 17 and up, in serving their communities.

To learn more about Washington Service Corps team projects and individual placement sites visit www.esd.wa.gov/washservicecorps/ and click on “Information on current Washington Service Corps programs.”

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Web link
WorkSource – www.go2worksource.com

Broadcast version
The Employment Security Department has distributed nearly $2 million in grants throughout the state for public service programs.

Funding for the grants comes from the federal AmeriCorps and VISTA programs.  The grants have been distributed to school districts, counties, learning centers, housing authorities and non-profit groups to support community projects.

Team members will provide services in twenty-six of Washington’s thirty-nine counties in the coming year, while learning valuable job skills for future employment.