New Britain receives a grant to battle unemployment

by Christine Moyer

WASHINGTON - Three New Britain organizations have each been awarded a $45,000 federal grant to battle unemployment in Connecticut's capital region.

The three groups, along with three in Hartford that also were awarded $45,000 each, are part of a larger program financed by a $500,000 grant from the Labor Department that is aimed at increasing employment in the region through community and faith-based organizations.

The fact that the awards were to be made was announced in July, but the names of the local groups will not be revealed until Monday at New Britain's Spanish Speaking Center. Making the announcement will be Mayor Lucian Pawlak and U.S. Reps. Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.-5) and John B. Larson (D-Conn.-1).

The two representatives, along with Connecticut's two Senators, hailed the federal grants in statements they issued when the grants were originally announced.

"Too many people in our state our hurting financially," Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) said. "Thankfully, this initiative can help act as an economic triage to help with their recovery."

Like much of the nation, New Britain and Hartford are having economic problems; the two cities have a combined 10.2 percent unemployment rate. That's double the state's 5.1 percent jobless rate, according to a statement from Larson's office.

"With the highest unemployment rates in the state, I believe that this grant is a strong step in the process of addressing the needs of unemployed workers, Larson said.

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) says a solution to this problem will come from the communities themselves, which will use the grant to offer local resources organizations that have the potential to help decrease unemployment.

"It is often local communities that generate the most efficient and innovative ways to solve their problems," Lieberman said.

The six Connecticut organizations have been selected under the program "Opening Doors," which aims to bring the state Department of Labor's One Stop Job Centers employment services to those in need.

"This is terrific news for the Hartford and New Britain communities," Johnson said. "Opening Doors will strengthen Connecticut's job training and placement network and will help to knock down language barriers so every job-seeker can more easily access the Capital region's social service system."