Posted Thursday, June 21, 2012 --- 6:55 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A Milwaukee nonprofit group that serves veterans has been awarded $500,000 in federal grants.

The Center for Veterans Issues is getting $300,000 to help veterans in Milwaukee. The center also got $200,000 to help vets in six surrounding counties.

The money is intended to help homeless veterans ease their way back into the workforce. They're slated to receive classroom and on-the-job training, as well as help in finding a job.

Both grants are from the U.S. Department of Labor. They're part of 64 grants totaling more than $15 million to help homeless veterans across the nation.

The money follows similar efforts from the Housing and Urban Development. In March HUD awarded grants of $415,000 to housing agencies in Milwaukee, Madison and West Allis to assist some 75 homeless vets.

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Online:

Center for Veterans Issues: http://www.cvivet.org

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.