The Center for Southeast Asians in Providence has received a $250,000 federal grant to bolster its Skills-Up program, which provides job training and development opportunities to new immigrants to Rhode Island from Southeast Asia, Asia, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and other countries.
The grant was secured by Senator Jack Reed and will help the organization expand its reach in the region by providing training programs in areas such as manufacturing, homecare and homemaking, restaurant and food service entrepreneurship, and more.
“A skilled and capable workforce is essential to Rhode Island’s success. I’m pleased to deliver targeted federal investments like this grant for CSEA’s Skills-Up program. I commend the Center for Southeast Asians for their commitment to our community. They do outstanding work connecting people to resources and opportunity and have a proven track record of helping newly arrived Rhode Islanders from Southeast Asia, Asia, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and other places overcome challenges and cultural barriers,” said Senator Reed.
The Skills-Up program is being implemented in collaboration with state colleges and universities and aims to create self-sustaining opportunities and career paths for job seekers while also strengthening the region’s pipeline of skilled and diverse workers to support the growth of local businesses.
“The Center for Southeast Asians plays a pivotal role in supporting the community. We are always looking for new opportunities to grow and make new partners to bring the best resources and supports to all of our community members,” said CSEA Executive Director Channavy Chhay.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.