08/12/09 - Today Mayor Newsom announced a new initiative, JOBS NOW, to put 1,000 San Franciscans back to work using $25 million in federal stimulus funding. The program began a pilot phase in May and has already placed almost 200 workers.

"Times are tough, so we need to get creative and innovative about how we find people jobs and get them working again," said Mayor Newsom. "These resources come directly from President Obama’s stimulus plan and the people that find jobs through this program are the living, breathing proof that stimulus dollars are reaching the people who need the most help."

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) includes $5 billion nationwide to create the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund (TANF-ECF), which provides federal funds to pay for 80 percent of the costs of subsidized employment programs. California will receive $1.8 billion in federal funds to pass through to counties for this program. Read more