Last week, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., who sits on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, announced federal funds are headed to St. Petersburg to help homeless veterans.
Crist said the federal government is sending $332,402 to Boley Centers Inc. in St. Petersburg to help homeless veterans enter the workforce. The funds are through a Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
“Our nation’s veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our country, but too often the wounds of war – both visible and invisible – make it difficult to transition back to civilian life. These struggles can leave our heroes out on the streets – and that’s simply unacceptable,” said Crist. “This funding provides a ladder out of homelessness for Pinellas veterans, giving them the support they need to reenter the workforce and live the American Dream they fought to protect.”
“Boley Centers, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit organization serving individuals with mental disabilities, individuals and families who are homeless, Veterans and youth in Pinellas, Manatee, Pasco and Sarasota Counties,” the congressman’s office noted.
Crist won three statewide offices as a Republican including winning the 2006 gubernatorial election. After being caught by Marco Rubio in the 2010 U.S. Senate primary, Crist continued his bid with no party affiliation. Crist joined the Democrats in 2012 and was his new party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2014, coming up just short against then Gov. Rick Scott. Two years later, Crist bounced back and defeated then U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., to be elected to Congress.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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