Four Jamaica Plain nonprofits will share in $2.2 million that was awarded to 51 organizations this week that promote economic mobility for low-income residents here
On Wednesday Mayor Martin Walsh and the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) announced the latest round of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. The grant money going to these five Jamaica Plain organizations will provide employment, education and economic services.
“In Boston, we are fortunate to have organizations that are dedicated to creating economic opportunity for everyone,” said Mayor Walsh. “Together, these grants are truly a partnership. By providing these organizations with the funding they need, we are investing in our residents, and taking another step forward in closing the equity gap, creating more opportunities for all.”
Jackson Mann Community and School Council will receive $20,000 to continue to provide students with job readinesses resources.
Jamaica Plain NDC, an organization that connects low-income working adults with good job networks will receive $60,000 in grant money.
The Ecumenical Social Action Committee, Inc. (ESAC) will receive $35,000 to support its Youth Opportunity Collaborative. The Youth Opportunity Collaborative is a program that provides out of school youth with adult basic education and high school equivalency test preparation.
Finally X-Cel Education will get $40,000 to support its post secondary transition program for residents that are 18 and older.
Walsh said this grant cycle OWD prioritized organizations offering services that give residents access to economic opportunity, including employment training and career readiness, youth development programming, essential language access and economic benefits counseling. The organizations represent nearly every neighborhood in Boston and consist of various competitive program models. Grantees were selected through an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) procurement process with input from both the public and private sectors.