Two First Coast organizations received federal grants Thursday to help them find jobs for people getting out of jail or prison.
First Coast Workforce Development in Fleming Island received more than $1 million to support its work with juvenile offenders.
And Jacksonville’s Operation New Hope is getting more than $1.1 million for its efforts to help adult ex-offenders.
U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez says the grants reflect President Barack Obama’s belief in what’s called “restorative justice.”
“These grants are all about giving second chances to people because the president believes in second chances,” Perez said. “The president believes that everyone is gifted and talented and that it’s our duty as a nation to bring out those gifts and talents.”
The Jacksonville-area grants are two of about 30 awarded nationwide.
Perez says the Labor Department has been supporting job programs for ex-offenders for the past 3 years.
