The Virginia Department of Social Services has awarded Danville Community College’s TARE Department a transformative grant of $250,000, signaling a significant increase in funding for the essential support services for qualifying students. The grant, spanning from January 2024 to June 2024, aims to assist students who have children and earn less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines in obtaining short-term workforce credentials.

Paul Farrar, Director of TARE programs at Danville Community College, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunities this grant presents. “This new funding will allow our office to expand and enhance supportive services for qualifying students, reinforcing our commitment to empowering individuals in need,” said Farrar.

The TARE Department specializes in providing free workforce training, covering tuition, and offering supportive services to eligible students. This grant will enable the department to reach more individuals and make a lasting impact on the community.

As part of this grant, an additional $37,500 will be allocated as a sub-grant from DCC’s TARE Department to Patrick and Henry Community College (P&HCC). This sub-grant will facilitate the provision of TARE Services in Patrick and Henry Counties and the city of Martinsville. When renewed for an entire year, the sub-grant will increase to $75,000, solidifying a collaborative regional effort to combat poverty.

Farrar emphasized the regional impact of the initiative, stating, “With this grant, we have established a comprehensive regional effort to uplift individuals from challenging circumstances and set them on the path to self-sufficiency. This allows us to serve the most vulnerable populations across a broad geographical area, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Pittsylvania, and Halifax, along with the cities of Danville and Martinsville.”

The grant comes at a crucial time for the region, aligning with the influx of new job opportunities. Farrar encouraged individuals to seize this opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving workforce.

The grant is not only a one-time investment but can be renewed annually for $500,000 for the next three years, from July 2024 to July 2027, contingent on the availability of funds. This commitment represents a substantial $1.7 million investment in the quality education provided by Danville Community College and Patrick and Henry Community College.

For more information about the TARE Program, contact Paul Farrar at paul.farrar@danville.edu or 434-797-8539.