Job training initiative fights hunger, supports economic security in Pennsylvania
As part of Hunger Action Month, Governor Shapiro’s administration has emphasized the importance of job training programs for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently visited Landforce, a nonprofit organization in western Pennsylvania that collaborates with the SNAP 50/50 program to provide volunteer employment and training programs for people receiving food assistance.
“SNAP not only ensures that families can feed themselves, it also addresses structural factors such as lack of stable employment and intergenerational poverty,” said Dr. Arkoosh, noting that programs like Landforce’s provide skills and confidence to people who face barriers to accessing good-paying jobs.
Landforce, founded in 2015, integrates workforce development with environmental stewardship and helps historically excluded people, such as ex-offenders and those struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Through the SNAP 50/50 program, which involves no cost to the Commonwealth, participants receive intensive, paid training on environmental projects and more than 90% of graduates maintain their jobs after completing the program.
Pennsylvania currently has 27 SNAP 50/50 programs, which offer a range of educational and employment opportunities. During his visit, Arkoosh underscored the importance of these initiatives in the fight against hunger and economic insecurity in the state, recalling that poor nutrition increases the risks of chronic disease and higher health care costs.
For more information on DHS programs and how to apply for SNAP, visit the department’s official website.