FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9/15/2009

PLEASANTVILLE, NJ -- The Atlantic Cape May Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has awarded $1.3 million dollars in Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) grants to various non-profit agencies and educational institutions to provide subsidized employment experiences, job readiness, employment retention services and training programs and initiatives to prevent termination for individuals receiving public assistance in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

The eligibility criteria for participation in one of the aforementioned programs include but are not limited to: receiving public assistance from the Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development (DFCD) or the Cape May County Board of Social Services in the form of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps (FS) or General Assistance (GA).

“Participants will be exposed to a variety of opportunities to continue their education, prepare for the workplace, participate in job shadowing or employment related experiences, attain meaningful employment, begin a training or apprenticeship program, and help remaining on the job once hired in an effort to help them become self sufficient and thriving citizens in their communities,” stated Rhonda Lowery, One Stop Operator. "

In Atlantic County eligible individuals should contact their case manager at the Atlantic County One Stop Career Centers located in Atlantic City (1333 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, 343-3001), Hammonton (310 Bellevue Avenue, phone), and Pleasantville (2 South Main Street, 485-0052). The Atlantic City office serves all communities in Atlantic City, Brigantine, Longport, Margate and Ventnor. The Hammonton office serves all communities west of communities listed above and the Pleasantville office serves Absecon, Linwood, Northfield, Pleasantville, and Somers Point.

In Cape May County, eligible participants should contact their case manager at the Cape May County Board of Social Services located at 4005 Route 9 South in Rio Grande or by calling 886-6200.

The funded vendors include: Career Opportunity and Development, Inc., Community Quest, and Jersey Cape Diagnostic, Training and Opportunity Center. Funding is provided by a grant from the New Jersey State Department of Human Services and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and funded locally through the Atlantic Cape May WIB.