A coalition of several Hartford area nonprofits and Connecticut employers announced an initiative Thursday that will use $2 million in federal funds to match more than 275 disabled citizens with retail and gaming jobs.
The public-private partnership that includes nonprofit Connect-Ability, Mohegan Sun, Lowe’s Distribution Center of Plainfield, and HomeGoods Distribution Center of Bloomfield and the state Department of Social Services, also will provide candidates with on-the-job training.Â
A total of $1.98 million in Title I vocational rehabilitation services funding from the U.S. Department of Education is being awarded for the partnership.  Â
The public-private partnership will enroll Connecticut residents in training programs that transition into jobs in the hospitality and product distribution industries. Through a competitive procurement process, the state is awarding grants to community rehabilitation providers linked to the three major employers.Â
Mohegan Sun will work with Windsor-based Community Enterprises Inc. and Southeastern Employment Services to create 113 job opportunities over two years. Lowe’s Distribution Center will work with ARC of Quinebaug Valley, based in the Danielson section of Killingly, to create 105 job opportunities. HomeGoods Distribution Center will partner with Community Enterprises Inc. to create 60 job opportunities.Â
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, present for the summit attended by some 300 business, government and service providers, including the Hartford Business Journal, praised the initiative.
“First and foremost,” Malloy said in a statement, “we are creating quality opportunities for highly-motivated residents who have a disabling condition but who are able to work competitively with the right combination of training and cooperative placement.
Â
