SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Workforce Council is launching a new grant for organizations serving Black, Indigenous and Latine communities.
According to the council, the funds will be awarded to organizations with a focus on connecting disenfranchised communities to workforce opportunities.
“Our goal is also to build stronger relationships with new partners and include more diverse voices as we design and build a workforce system that serves everyone in our community,” Spokane Workforce said.
The grant is funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project. According to the department, the program is meant to empower communities impacted by racist enforcement practices and policies during the War on Drugs.
Council Program & Operations Associate Director Andrea Hixson is excited for the potential impact of the funding in eastern Washington.
“We are so excited for the opportunity to partner with local organizations that help us more effectively serve our community and also work with us to design more equitable access to the workforce development system for all,” Hixon said.
The funding was passed by the Washington State Legislature during the 2022 session as part of the supplemental state operating budget and included $200 million for community reinvestment.
As of May 20, about $90 million of that grant funding has been contracted out and $1.5 million has been spent according to the Community Reinvestment Project dashboard.
