CEI received a $455,000 Discretionary Grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services, in support of the FAITHWORKS Project covering a grant period of September 30, 2001, through September 29, 2004.

Funds were utilized to finance the expansion of FAITHWORKS, a faith-based nonprofit organization located in a HUD-designated Enterprise Community (Empower Lewiston), that provides employment for hard-to-serve individuals with multiple barriers to employment.  During the project period, FAITHWORKS will create 95 full-time jobs with opportunities for on-site education and career development.  At least 75 percent (72) of the jobs created are targeted for TANF recipients, non-custodial parents of children living on TANF, and other eligible low-income, homeless or people with disabilities. 

FAITHWORKS is a unique organization in that its business operations provide the primary source of its efforts to create social change. Through the development and provision of contract outsource services, FAITHWORKS offers employment opportunities to a community generally facing single or multiple barriers to employment and personal development. These barriers can include homelessness, substance abuse, inadequate transportation, insufficient child care, or any of a number of others. By providing an opportunity to work in an environment that is flexible and accepting of the individual, FAITHWORKS allows an individual to grow into his/her potential as both an employee and as a person. Employees facing significant personal challenges benefit not only from employment but also skills training programs, educational offerings, and courses promoting personal growth offered in the workplace. 

Under the FAITHWORKS initiative, public investment supports an innovative faith-based organization to create opportunities for some of Maine's poorest citizens by expanding their ability to achieve economic self-sufficiency.