Grants from Lincoln Financial Foundation are supporting Hartford agencies that advance adult literacy, prepare low-income individuals for the job market and provide financial literacy training. Lincoln Foundation recently awarded $99,785 in workforce and economic development grants to eight local nonprofit organizations.
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford received $20,000 to help expand services to low-literate adults trying to improve their English skills. The grant will allow Literacy Volunteers to recruit and train additional computer lab volunteers and offer more educational technology workshops. The added workshops will offer students the opportunity to learn Microsoft Office and the proper use of social networking sites to support job searches. This builds upon the intensive volunteer training program and online independent study curriculum for adult students underwritten by a 2010 Lincoln Foundation grant.
A $17,385 grant to Billings Forge Community Works will provide on-the-job training to prepare low-income individuals to work in fine dining establishments. The program emphasizes real-world experience to deliver graduates who come to work on time, are prepared with new customer service skills appropriate for higher-end markets and have mastered essential kitchen skills. Trainees also gain important customer service experience that is highly transferable to other industries.
Center for Urban Research Education and Training will use a $15,400 grant to fund education advancement programs for adults. The programs teach literacy, math skills, computer literacy and self-advocacy to shape adult learners who have marketable skills.
Other workforce and economic development grants awarded include:
- $12,500 to Knox Parks Foundation for the Knox Parks Green Crew, a program that puts inner-city youth to work on beautification and green projects in their neighborhoods.
- $12,000 to Jubilee House for the Esperanza Academic Center, which provides writing, math, computer literacy, financial literacy and workplace training to disadvantaged but motivated adults who want to pursue higher education and career advancement.
- $10,000 to Dress for Success Hartford to support employment programs that provide career guidance, professional clothing and a network of support for disadvantaged women trying to find meaningful employment.
- $7,500 to the Mercy Housing and Shelter for Jump Start to Jobs, a program that provides workshops, one-on-one counseling and connections to employers to formerly homeless individuals living in transitional housing.
- $5,000 to HART for Home Ownership Made Easy (HOME), a first-time home buyer education program providing information and support for low- and moderate-income families.
About Lincoln Financial Foundation
The Lincoln Financial Foundation, established in 1962, is a nonprofit organization formed and supported by Lincoln Financial Group. Under Lincoln Foundation guidelines, grants are made in the areas of arts, education, human services and workforce/economic development. The Lincoln Foundation awarded $2.5 million to support nonprofits in the greater Fort Wayne area in 2011. Since 1962, the Lincoln Foundation has contributed more than $87 million to Fort Wayne nonprofits.
About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $160 billion as of December 31, 2011. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.
