$14.4 million in grant money awarded to 27 Michigan nonprofits

LANSING — On Jan. 9, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced 27 recipients of the $14.4 million in Barrier Removal and Employment Success Expansion Grant funding to remove barriers to employment for more Michiganders. 

This funding will help the nonprofit recipients provide programming to support employment and reemployment of at-risk individuals and remove barriers to employment for low-income Michiganders. 

“No one should have to turn down a good-paying job because they don’t have adequate childcare or transportation to get to work,” Whitmer said in a press release. “These Barrier Removal and Employment Success Expansion grants will help nonprofits across Michigan continue making a real difference in people’s lives, helping them get clothes, child care, transportation, and more so they can go to work and provide for their families. This will also help ensure Michigan businesses can access the workforce they need and power our growing economy.”

The Barrier Removal and Employment Success Expansion Grant Program supports at-risk individuals to help them secure and retain long-term, meaningful employment. This population, especially those currently working in low wage jobs, and those in the Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed population, often are not eligible for other assistance or job support programs.  

“Funding through the Barrier Removal and Employment Success Expansion Grant will allow nonprofits to uplift communities they serve and strengthen Michigan’s workforce,” LEO Director Susan Corbin said in a press release. “We are proud to deliver on our mission to close equity gaps and remove barriers to employment that lead to economic prosperity through program like this that create greater opportunity for all Michiganders, businesses and communities.”  

The program helps eligible Michiganders with supports to address a variety of employment barriers, including transportation, housing, childcare, clothing, work tools and equipment, training materials, legal services and many others. 

“Supporting employment and removing barriers to employment for the ALICE population will ensure these Michiganders have the ability to afford necessities such as work-related tools or clothing, housing, childcare and transportation, helping them secure and retain long-term, meaningful employment,” Stephanie Beckhorn, the director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training said in a press release. “The Barrier Removal and Employment Success Expansion Grant Program will support LEO’s goal to lift 100,000 families out of working poverty during the next five years.”  

The funding is supported through the American Rescue Plan Act, Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. More information about the Barrier Removal and Employment Success program is available at www.michigan.gov/bres.