FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07-Aug-09
CONTACT: Francine
703-299-3201
703-541-3443 (fax)
fjanz@socent.org

SOC Launches Wounded Warrior Employment Program Funded by ARRA

SOC Enterprises, Inc. , an Arlington based non-profit organization that provides employment and vocational services for adults with disabilities, has received a $50,000 Economic Development Grant through the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) to launch a new wounded warrior employment project. Ready2Work will provide timely, targeted and effective employment assistance and job placement for wounded warriors with service related disabilities. Funds for Ready2Work are made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a portion of which serves as recovery funding directed to the state’s vocational rehabilitation system. SOC is staffing Ready2Work with an employment specialist who is also a wounded warrior veteran, with a goal to place ten wounded warrior veterans in competitive community jobs in the coming year. “Ready2Work responds to the enormous unmet need for employment services for our returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other disabilities acquired during service to our country,” said SOC Chief Executive Officer Charles S. Richman, “with SOC’s 50-year history of helping adults with disabilities, we are uniquely positioned to serve this population.” Ready2Work funding is part of a larger package of stimulus funding awarded to 12 Employment Services Organizations (ESOs) with projects to increase employment for Virginians with disabilities. According to the Labor Department, the rate of unemployment among people with disabilities reached 14.3% in June, the highest rate since the government began tracking monthly disability employment data. “People with disabilities have always faced a high unemployment rate compared to those without disabilities, but this economic downturn has created an even larger gap,” said Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine. “All Virginians deserve the opportunity for a better life through a better job.” For more information, contact director of rehabilitation programs, Marshall Henson at SOC Enterprises at 703-521-4441. Media requests for additional information about Ready2Work and/or SOC Enterprises may be directed to Kelly Ferris.