Rep. Bonamici: $1.5M for Easterseals, homeless


Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Press Release,

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Easterseals Oregon will receive $1.5M in federal funding over three years to provide employment services for homeless veterans in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The funding allows Easterseals Oregon to expand beyond Multnomah County and offer these services for the first time in Washington and Clackamas counties.

Through the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program, Easterseals Oregon uses a veteran-centered approach to provide support and job training to help homeless veterans find employment and achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Easterseals Oregon works in coordination with referral and supportive services, employers, job training and placement partners, and housing providers to facilitate the program. On Tuesday, the Congresswoman visited a center in Beaverton to speak with veterans and staff about the importance of this funding to veterans and to Washington County.

“Veterans have given so much for this country, and they have earned our support when they return to civilian life,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “With this funding, veterans who have fallen on hard times will be able to gain the skills they need to find employment and escape homelessness. The federal funding for Easterseals Oregon is especially important for veterans in Washington County, where rapid population growth has exacerbated the affordable housing crisis and left too many veterans homeless. Helping homeless veterans get back to work is good for veterans, their families, our communities, and our economy.”

“It means so much to us that we can serve additional veterans with this grant,” said Catherine Todd, Director of Workforce Solutions for Easterseals Oregon. “Now that we can expand our services, we will reach at least 240 veterans with training, job placement, and one year of job retention services. We greatly appreciate the Congresswoman’s support for our work overall and specifically for getting veterans back to work.”

The Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program within the Department of Labor is the only federal grant program to focus exclusively on employment for homeless veterans. Congresswoman Bonamici has supported increased funding for the program, advocated for housing vouchers that assist homeless veterans in Oregon, and has worked toward greater investment in workforce development programs.


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