Republican Mayor Hatches Scheme to Help Homeless (And It’s Effective)


“The better way is to give people the dignity to work,” declares Mayor Richard Berry (R) of Albuquerque, New Mexico and with this philosophy he came up with a program to help the pan-handlers and homeless get off the street and find value in their work while giving back to the city.

Berry’s campaign to relieve the city’s homeless population is a stark difference from other municipalities that have simply banned panhandling. That’s treating a symptom without ever attacking the disease. Berry’s program has been so successful that dozens of other mayors have reached out to him to work on creating their own similar programs.

The non-profit St. Martin’s Hospitality Center facilitates the city’s program and has worked to connect the homeless with a support system, employment, and assistance in transitioning them out of life on the street.

A man who had just recently gotten out of prison was picked up by the van, and after working for a day, he went to St. Martin’s for assistance. He is now in a support group, enrolled in a day laborer’s program, has access to behavioral health services, and working on getting ID.

The plight of homelessness is on the rise in many major cities. A 2014 report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that families experiencing homelessness increased by 43 percent in 25 cities.

Helping the homeless is a worthwhile and compassionate venture, but giving them a job that helps them feel valued and worthwhile is also part of the “There’s a Better Way” program.

Give a homeless man a lunch and he will eat for a day, but give him an opportunity to work for a paycheck and other services and it will transform his life.

Source: Red Alert 



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