BANGOR, Maine — U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced Tuesday that public housing agencies in Maine will receive $70,990 to link low-income families with the necessary education and job training to put them on the path to self-sufficiency. HUD has awarded more than 600 agencies across the U.S. nearly $60 million in grants for this purpose. Funded through HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program, the grants allow public housing agencies to work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses and other local partners to develop programs to help individuals already participating in HUD’s Voucher Program increase their education, which will enable them to obtain jobs that pay a living wage. For more information, visit www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov

Armed Forces walks scheduled for June 5

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s first lady and Maine National Guard Adjutant General John Libby have partnered with the American Red Cross to sponsor two Armed Forces Walks, which are scheduled for June 5, 2011. A 5K Walk will be held at 1 p.m. around Baxter Boulevard and Payton Park in Portland and a second 5K Walk/Run at 9 a.m. will be held at the USM Lewiston-Auburn Campus in Lewiston. Proceeds will benefit Armed Forces program services in Maine. For more information to become a sponsor or to register, visit www.maineredcross.org.