The city of Denver is doing something special, by engaging its population of homeless people in daily employment opportunities.
The Denver Day Works pilot program launched the first day of November will run through Oct. 31 of next year. The funding for the program is $400,000.
1. The Denver Day Works program wants to employ homeless people with civil jobs—cleaning parks, etc. The first year's budget is $400K.
— Ron S. Doyle (@rondoyleco) November 3, 2016
According to the site, the southwestern city based scheme is designed to provide low- to no-barrier work experience and gives people an option to participate in part-time or full-time work for the day.
City officials are hopeful that 300 people will be engaged and 150 will be connected in work experience through this program, highlighting that the best part, is that employment opportunities are being provided to people that have faced hurdles in the past.
The hourly wage rate is set at $12.59 and each participant can earn a max of $600 in a variety of jobs like planting trees and park maintenance. The idea is that these resume building experiences will provide the homeless with more permanent jobs in the future.
The spokesperson for the Denver Human Services (DHS), Julie Smith explained to Denverite, “We want it to be low to no barriers. No background checks. Do you want to work? We’re going to put you to work today.”
The feedback from the first days of the program have been positive and include one individual by the name of Danny Times singing its praises.
The man who calls his home the park said the program is “off the chain” and “I’m very happy.”
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a city with a similar program that began a few years ago. In 2015, the local ABC News affiliate reported that it was showing signs of success even amongst the worries which include not fixing the total problem of panhandling in the city.