A special program to assist merchants whose businesses were destroyed during the July 13-14 blackout has been established by Project COPE (Career Opportunities and Preparation for Employment), the career guidance and job training agency of Agudath Israel of America, it was announced today. The major thrust of the program will be to provide on-job-training funds and vocational training to those affected by the events of mid-July.
According to Rabbi Menachem Lubinsky, director of Project COPE, the program will operate out of COPE offices throughout the city, but primary emphasis will be given through the Fresh Start Training Program office in Brooklyn which caters to people over the age of 40. Lubinsky explained: “It is widely known that many of the affected businessmen were middle aged people who had spent many years in building up their businesses and were now devastated by the looting during the blackout.”
In addition to providing on-job-training funds, the COPE effort for the victims of the looting will also include extensive career guidance and counseling, placement in state-licensed vocational schools, and referrals to Small Business Administration programs to assist in the reconstruction of their businesses.
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