The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced that $500,000 in funding has been awarded to improve the literacy and job skills of low-income New Yorkers and help them enter the workforce through subsidized employment. The funding comes from programs aimed at helping more than 120 individuals in Monroe County with job readiness and job placement, and was announced as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s “Capital for a Day” held in Rochester.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester and Rochester Works, Inc. were each awarded $200,000 through the Wage Subsidy Program to help low-income individuals with barriers to employment to get jobs. The Rochester City School District received $100,000 through the Educational Resources Program to improve the literacy and job-related skills of low-income individuals to increase their employability.

“Through these programs we are helping low-income New Yorkers build a foundation that will lead to greater opportunity and increased earning potential,” said OTDA Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “By preparing people to find work and assisting them once they are employed, we are greatly improving their chances of being able to support themselves.”

The Wage Subsidy Program grant recipients will use the funds to recruit and enroll participants, develop jobs with employers and provide ongoing services to ensure successful entry into unsubsidized employment. Individuals with multiple barriers to employment, including receiving public assistance for an extended period, lack of education and very limited English proficiency, among others, are targeted.

The Educational Resources Program focuses on improving literacy among low-income New Yorkers, an essential step toward acquiring job-related skills and expanding employment options. This funding supports services that provide education, High School Equivalency Diploma attainment, and improve English Language proficiency to help people improve their employment and advancement opportunities.