Press Releases

Boots2Roots, a nonprofit based in Portland serving veterans, will receive $1.5 million to expand its Transition to Work Initiative, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced today. Pingree, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured the Community Project Funding (CPF) in the final Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations bill, which passed Congress today. The Transition to Work Initiative will bring together an expanded network of small businesses in Maine in need of workers, identify their unique needs and types of jobs available, and promote small business opportunities in Maine to transitioning military members and spouses looking to live and work in Maine. The Transition to Work Initiative will also increase its capacity to serve more transitioning military members and spouses each year.

“When active duty servicemembers return home, the transition to everyday life, let alone work, can be challenging for them and for their families. Boots2Roots’ mission to help veterans transition to civilian life is one I am proud to get behind. That’s why I fought to secure $1.5 million for Boots2Roots’ Transition to Work Initiative in this year’s spending bill,” said Pingree. “Meaningful initiatives like this are a great example of just how impactful the return of congressionally directed spending has been for our communities.”

“Congressional support for the Boots2Roots Transition to Work Program is critical to veteran success and workforce development efforts in Maine. Boots2Roots' Transition to Work program assists active-duty military, Veterans and spouses transition to meaningful work in Maine,” Boots2Roots Executive Director Bill Benson said. “This funding will allow us to help more Veterans successfully transition to Maine's workforce. Boots2Roots is grateful to Congresswoman Pingree for supporting Maine's newest veterans, their families and Maine's workforce.”

Boots2Roots is the only organization in Maine specifically focused on preparing active-duty military members to transition out of service, working with them for up to a year prior to help law the groundwork for immediate success. 

Background

Each year, the United States Congress considers and enacts annual appropriations bills that provide the federal government with the funding it needs to operate. In 2021, the House Appropriations Committee revitalized Community Project Funding after the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress found that congressionally directed spending boosted bipartisanship, facilitated member-to-member cooperation, and gave members an equal stake in the success of appropriations bills.

Pingree secured millions of dollars in federal funding for 10 community projects in Maine’s First District for the 2022 Fiscal Year. 

For the 2023 Fiscal Year, each member was permitted to submit 15 projects for consideration, which had to be thoroughly vetted and publicly disclosed on their website.

Pingree has been a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 2013 and has served as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies since January 2021. 

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