SECRETARY BEN CARSON DESIGNATES ALAMO COLLEGES' EASTSIDE CENTER AS HUD ENVISION SITE

FORT WORTH - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson yesterday officially designated the Eastside Education Training Center (EETC) in San Antonio as an EnVision Center. This designation serves as a critical component of Secretary Ben Carson's signature EnVision Center initiative to offer a more holistic housing approach by connecting HUD-assisted families with the tools that can lead to self-sufficiency.

"EnVision Centers are a way to connect local resources with the people who need them the most. From job training classes to financial counseling, I see so many vital services being provided here that have an unimaginable impact on the lives of the people you help," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. "I look forward to seeing the brighter future the EETC will continue to bring to the San Antonio community."

"We are pleased to see the importance of our EETC to the community recognized by its designation as an EnVision Center," said Alamo Colleges Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores. "The center, and our others like it, play a key role in our efforts to provide economic and social mobility to our residents and their families, which in turn contributes to the economic prosperity of our community," he added.

EnVision Centers are centralized hubs that serve as an incubator to support four key pillars of self-sufficiency - (1) Economic Empowerment, (2) Educational Advancement, (3) Health and Wellness, and (4) Character and Leadership. Following a highly competitive selection process, the EETC was selected to spearhead the EnVision Center initiative in San Antonio. The designation is one of the newest of only 33 communities designated across the country as an EnVision Center.

In July 2015, San Antonio launched Promise Zone to Work initiative in partnership with Alamo Colleges, Workforce Solutions Alamo, United Way, Goodwill industries and other workforce partners to provide Eastside residents free job training opportunities. In November 2016, the one-stop EETC opened at the former Pfeiffer Elementary School. Today, the EETC serves as a center of collaboration in the San Antonio community bringing together over 20 non-profit and government entities working together to improve San Antonio's community.

Students enrolled at the EETC or at one of the network sites receive:

• Job training classes in high demand occupations, such as nursing, construction, welding, and information technology
• Job placement, job readiness, job referrals, and over $300,000 in tuition support accounted for to date
• Re-entry services and job placement for ex-offenders
• Wraparound case management services including child-care and transportation services
• Adult literacy and GED preparation
• Financial empowerment and counseling assistance
• Small business development and entrepreneurial training

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and https://espanol.hud.gov.

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