REP. JOE MORELLE ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR JOB READINESS TO UPLIFT LOCAL FAMILIES

(Rochester, NY) - Today, Congressman Joe Morelle was joined by Pastor Derrill Blue and volunteers of the historic Memorial A.M.E Zion Church to announce $525,000 for Beyond the Sanctuary’s Job Readiness Success Program (JRSP). Congressman Morelle worked in partnership with Senator Schumer to secure this investment through the federal Community Project Funding program.

“Beyond the Sanctuary’s work in Rochester is so important. In addition to providing food, clothing, and rental assistance, their Job Readiness Success Program allows participants the chance to flourish, become self-sufficient, and earn a living wage,” said Congressman Morelle. “I’m proud to have delivered this funding to support Beyond the Sanctuary’s dedicated efforts to train underemployed and unemployed individuals and unlock their extraordinary potential. By providing participants with the support and resources to be career-ready, we can address the ongoing worker shortage, help families thrive, and uplift our community.”

“Educator and reformer Booker T. Washington said, ‘If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.’ Beyond the Sanctuary embodies those famous words,” said Beyond the Sanctuary Board Chair and Memorial AME Zion Church Pastor Derrill Blue. “We strive to lift up our community through transformative programs and services that provide essential support and resources.  Thanks to Congressman Morelle and Senator Schumer, we are positioned to continue serving our community. This grant allows us to train and empower our program participants as they strive and be self-sufficient.”

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “Created by the congregants of Rochester’s historic Memorial AME Zion Church to lift people out of poverty, Beyond the Sanctuary is a vital force in the community.  Their dedicated work is enabling community members to overcome the physical and emotional challenges of poverty to become self-sustaining.  I was glad to join with Congressman Morelle to help BTS expand their work with this investment.”

“We are grateful for Congressman Morelle’s partnership and support of Beyond the Sanctuary since our founding nearly five years ago,” said Beyond the Sanctuary President & Executive Director Carmen Allen. “We started as a food pantry that served the needs of community members in crisis. Today, we offer clients a spectrum of programs, including JRSP that helps adults transition from crisis and dependence to a life of self-sufficiency. Thanks to this funding we’ve received through the work of Congressman Morelle, Senator Schumer, and our dedicated and talented JRSP team, we will be able to help more people overcome barriers they encounter on their journey to meaningful employment.”

This funding will support Beyond the Sanctuary’s Job Readiness Success Program and enable 50 unemployed, underemployed, hard-to-employ individuals—particularly from underserved communities—to become thriving, self-sufficient adults. JRSP’s Unique Wrap-Around Support Services focus on hard and soft skills needed for success in high-demand live-able wage fields. Services include:

• Life Skills/Jobs Coaching.
• Health/Wellness Coaching.
• Business Liaison Support.
• Social Service Referral.
• Emergency Stipends.

Individuals from collaborative partners—Rochester Educational Opportunity Center and Rochester Construction Training Center—will train participants in construction, Licensed Practical Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Sterile Processing Technician and Pharmacy Technician fields. Throughout the first year of employment, JRSP coaches and staff partner with employer-based Program Advocates to foster the success of the individuals.  Research shows this team approach provides the effective support network participants need to thrive.
 

The $525,000 award is being made available as part of the Community Funding Project program allowing Members of Congress to provide direct investments to areas of their communities that need it most. This funding was passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations package recently signed into law by the President. For more information on the program application, please click here.