NOVA Funding - Call for Action

We are writing to you to draw your attention to the devastating consequences that workers and businesses in the Silicon Valley are facing because of reductions and rescissions of Workforce Investment Act funding to our community.. We hope that you will do all within your power to reinstate and increase funding as soon as possible.

The stories youll read on the following pages are individual yet resonate several truths. We are current members of ProMatch, ProMatch Alumni and Friends of ProMatch who have all experienced the magic of the programs offered through the remarkable and innovative efforts of the NOVA Workforce Board. ProMatch is part of the services offered by NOVA and provides skill-building workshops, training and most importantly collaborative intelligence about the job market today. In an ever-changing market, ProMatch provides job seekers the tools, confidence and hope necessary to regain employment.

Based in Sunnyvale, California, and serving the Silicon Valley region, NOVA (North Valley Job Training Consortium) is a public/private venture that provides customer-focused workforce development services for youth and adults, with a strong focus on dislocated workers. NOVAs customers, staff and Board work closely with local businesses, educators and job seekers to ensure that the programs and services are state-of-the-art, providing opportunities that build the knowledge, skills, attitudes and networks necessary to address the workforce needs of this center of innovation.

We are representative of the majority of job seekers served through NOVA, being highly skilled workers who have been laid off due to technology evolutions, corporate downsizing, off-shoring of jobs to China and India, or the closure of our companies. NOVA also helps job seekers with wide range of special needs such as homeless veterans (a large VA hospital is in or region), disabled workers with disabilities, welfare recipients, teen parents, and older workers. NOVA partners with many organizations in order to provide these job seekers with customized employment and training solutions.

The amount of funding allocated to NOVA has been continuously reduced over the past several years. Additionally, the President signed a law December 26, 2007 that will, in fact, take away up to $500,000 in funding that had already been promised, and in most cases, delivered to provide services to people in need.

This funding shortfall has had a disastrous effect on NOVA and its ability to provide services to the thousands of unemployed Silicon Valley workers. Because of this situation NOVA is forced to initiate a partial and temporary closure, effective Friday, February 15, 2008. NOVA has eliminated all operations every Friday through the end of June 2008. The doors to this precious asset are now closed to us 20\% of the time.

Our nations economy and security is greatly influenced by the research, development, and innovation provided by the workers we represent in Silicon Valley. We urgently appeal to you to provide your leadership and influence to restore these funds.

Respectfully,
ProMatch Members, Staff, Alumni and Friends of ProMatch