Spanish Speaking Unity Council to Receive DOL Grant
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2010
Contact: Ricci Graham
510-763-0370
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) announced today that the Oakland-based Spanish Speaking Unity Council has been selected to receive $3.5 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
The funding is being provided by the Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries jobs training grant awards that are authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The award brings to $1.6 billion in ARRA funding that Congresswoman Lee has secured for agencies and communities throughout the Ninth Congressional District during the past year.
The Spanish Speaking Unity Council’s Healthcare Sector Career Initiative (HSCI) integrates the expertise and core competencies of its education and employment partners to develop a skilled workforce that is capable of meeting the healthcare needs of a linguistically- and culturally-diverse population in Oakland and throughout Alameda County. With this funding, the Unity Council will oversee the training for low-income and unemployed bilingual and/or bi-cultural adults.
“I am pleased to announce that the Spanish Speaking Unity Council has been selected to receive this important funding,” said Congresswoman Lee. “The funding will position the Spanish Speaking Unity Council to assist in ensuring that low-income and unemployed residents throughout the region will receive high-quality training and employment services that will lead to good-paying jobs in the ever burgeoning health care industry.”
“The (Spanish Speaking) Unity Council is honored to receive this grant on behalf of our partners,” said Gilda Gonzales, CEO of the Unity Council. “This award makes possible the expansion of the Healthcare Sector Career Initiative both geographically and to the number of individuals seeking new employment opportunities. I extend my sincere thanks to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, whose support and leadership was instrumental in this successful grant effort.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009 to create jobs, promote economic growth, and assist those most impacted by the recession. The Recovery Act further provided that projects that prepare workers for careers in the health care sector and other high growth and emerging industries would receive priority.
To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit www.recovery.gov.
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