A new homeless work program is offering paid work to homeless people in the city of Fort Worth, and helping to beautify the city at the same time.
Through a partnership with the Clean Slate Program out of the Presbyterian Night Shelter, the city will pay those involved in the shelter’s homeless work program $10 an hour to clear litter around Fort Worth.
The program is operated by the shelter, and the city has paid $48,000 for the work so far.
It is a win-win,” Presbyterian Night Shelter CEO Toby Owen told NBC 5. “We want a clean neighborhood that speaks hope, that speaks dignity to our homeless guests. And it also provides income for these individuals so they can move out and be successful without living in a homeless shelter.”
The city currently employs 40 people through the Clean Slate Program, who collectively picked up 3,856 tons of trash last year
The opportunity also provides paid vacation and benefits, job benefits that also support the health and wellness of homeless people.
City Supported Homeless Work Program is a Path Out of Homelessness
Frank Crist served prison time on a drug conviction and acknowledged that without the homeless work program, he would have a hard time finding a job.
It just makes you feel better keeping it cleaned up,” he said. “It means a lot. I mean, with my record and stuff, I really had no other place that would hire me.”
Crist’s work ethic has paid off, and now, 23 months after living at the shelter, he is about to move into his own apartment.
It took me about a year, a year-and-a-half, but everything is coming together,” he said. “It feels great. Didn’t think it was ever going to happen again, but now it has.”