A six-month program in Little Rock, a city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, helps people out of homelessness while keeping litter away from the streets and from affecting the environment.
The Bridge to Work program, in partnership with Canvas Community Church, hires homeless residents to clean the streets for $9.25 an hour, and offers them free lunch, medical care, temporary shelter and new job opportunities.
“This is just a dream come true for the entire community,” says Bridge to Work team leader Felecia Cooks. “We’ve taken out over 400-and-something persons. And let me tell you, that has been the most exciting thing that I’ve done in my life.”
The participants have been working more than 1,800 hours in the past six months, collecting around 2,000 bags full of litter which not only keeps the city proper, but protects wildlife and nature.
“It’s positive, I’m giving back, and making money,” said participant Harond Goodlow Jr. to THV11. “[This will] show my son that no matter how many times you start over or get knocked down, try and try again, and it’ll happen.” Frank Scott Jr., Mayor of Little Rock, plans to extend the program until September 2020.
