Grant to enhance WorkPlace programs

The WorkPlace Inc. has received a $100,000 grant from Citi Community Development to enhance services currently offered through Platform to Employment (P2E). Our innovative P2E program offers comprehensive support to long-term unemployed people who are the victims of the recent recession. In addition to job-readiness programs we offer professional health and family services to program participants.

Now with the support of Citi Community Development, participants will also improve their household money management skills and begin to rebuild their credit during a time when many lack regular income and are financially overextended. By adding financial coaching and credit-building we can dramatically improve the likelihood of financial success and long-term stability for our participants.

There is a critical need to restore the long-term unemployed to the labor force. During the period from May 2010 through October 2011, 11,338 people in southwest Connecticut exhausted the maximum 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. By January 2012, the total is expected to increase to 13,000. These residents face daunting challenges, with evidence showing that prospective employers are often unwilling to hire workers who have been unemployed for an extended time.  That stigma is often compounded by atrophy of job skills and a collapse of confidence.

In addition, the long-term unemployed frequently grapple with the deterioration of their finances. Many prospective employers review credit reports to qualify candidates, but the long-term unemployed often have damaged credit due to the length of time they have been out of the workforce and inadequate restructuring of finances to account for drastically reduced incomes.

The WorkPlace”™s new collaboration with Citi addresses this need.

These services will be provided by Housing Development Fund (HDF) of Stamford, which has extensive experience in providing counseling for at-risk families. This expansion of P2E services will enable the long-term unemployed to receive the tools needed to begin rebuilding their credit and re-enter the financial mainstream.

P2E calls upon good corporate citizens such as Citi Community Development to get involved. This partnership is a compelling example of how private investment and a caring community can reignite hope for the 99ers who remain jobless.

Joseph M. Carbone

President and CEO

The WorkPlace Inc.

Bridgeport

www.workplace.org