The Mayor Read This Homeless Mans SignThats When He Got a Brilliant Idea

He saw this sign and knew he had to do something about it…

People used to get ticketed for begging on the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexicobut now theyre trying a different approach that is getting their local homeless population pretty excited.

Twice a week, somebody from a local homeless organization drives around Albuquerque asking people on the streetsif theyd like to do some work for the day.

If they say yes, they hop in the van. Weve already got a lunch for them, ready to go, the van driver, Will Cole, told Upworthy.

The city mayor, Richard Berry, came up with the idea. He believes in helping instead of punishing people in need.

He was driving one day, and he saw a man holding up a sign that said: Will work. Thats when he knew he needed to take their program, Theres a Better Way, to new heights. Berrys administration started the program to help homeless people get jobs and housing, and get off of drugs.

After the incident, Berry decided to add on the work-for-a-day component of the program as well.

“As a mayor, you want to be effective, and you want to do it in a way that’s compassionate. And you also want to do it in a way that really maybe helps people get out of the circumstances that they’re in,” Berry said.

For those who opt in to work for the day, they get $9 an hour for a 5 hour shift. It may not seem like much to us, but for many of the homeless people in Albuquerque, it is just the emotional and financial encouragement they need to keep themselves moving toward a better future.

The days work typically involves picking up trash, pulling weeds, and other beautification projects in the city. According to Berry, 10 out of every 12-14 people say yes when theyre offered the work.

When the day is over, they get dropped off at St. Martins Hospitality Center where they can get food, shelter, and take advantage of other services.

While its only been up and running for about a month, the city is already hoping to expand the initiative to include 5 days a week to help as many people as possible.

“This could be anyone of us,” said Vicky Palmer, Associate Executive Director of St. Martin’s. “There are so many people who are a paycheck away, and to stigmatize somebody because they’re homeless without even knowing the reason why, that’s why we’re in the business we’re in.”

 

 

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via The Mayor Read This Homeless Mans SignThats When He Got a Brilliant Idea
by LCFPadmin2016