$1.5M Federal Grant Funds New Return to Workforce Program

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-05) and Volunteers of America Mid-States announced the launch of a transformational workforce development program in eastern Kentucky supported by a highly competitive $1.5 million federal grant.

Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) is a dynamic workforce development and training program that will change the lives of hundreds of eastern Kentucky residents, whose struggles with substance use has sidelined them from work.

Volunteers of America Mid-States will lead the partnership with Eastern Kentucky University, AdventHealth Manchester, Goodwill Industries and other community agencies to provide workforce case management, job training and supportive services to people in addiction recovery in Bell, Clay, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, McCreary and Whitley counties.

Leaders from both organizations as well as Congressman Rogers and Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers marked the announcement at EKU's Manchester campus.

"As more people recover from substance use disorder in our region, this program will equip them with the skills and tools they need to take the next steps in their journey. Earning a paycheck helps build confidence and self-worth, reminding folks that they can be trusted again with the responsibilities of working to provide for themselves and their families," said Congressman Rogers, a longtime champion in the fight against drug abuse. "This program is ultimately about restoring hope for families in our region, hope for recovery and hope for living an abundant, drug-free life."

The grant from the U.S. Department of Labor is for Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) and will support VOA's recovery reintegration program to help move people from active addiction, to recovery, and back into the workforce.

Over the grant's three-year term, VOA expects to serve nearly 350 people whose challenges with substance use disorder have kept them from meaningful work.

Volunteers of America team member Sue Fox attended VOA's Recovery Community Center and has worked both at the RCC and VOA's Freedom house program. Fox said her experience shows that people can overcome years lost to substance use and can return to the workforce as healthy contributors to their communities.

Volunteers of America Mid-States operates more than 40 programs across Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Clark and Floyd Counties in Indiana. VOA serves families overcoming homelessness, veterans in need of housing and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and many other individuals and families in need. Learn more at @voamid and www.voamid.org.

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