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womanofthehills

(8,579 posts)
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 01:05 AM Aug 2016

Albuquerque mayor hires panhandlers to beautify the city

Albuquerque mayor has an incredibly simple idea to help the homeless. And it seems to be working.

Republican Mayor Richard Berry was driving around Albuquerque last year when he saw a man on a street corner holding a sign that read: “Want a Job. Anything Helps.”

Throughout his administration, as part of a push to connect the homeless population to services, Berry had taken to driving through the city to talk to panhandlers about their lives. His city’s poorest residents told him they didn’t want to be on the streets begging for money, but they didn’t know where else to go.

Seeing that sign gave Berry an idea. Instead of asking them, many of whom feel dispirited, to go out looking for work, the city could bring the work to them.

Next month will be the first anniversary of Albuquerque’s There’s a Better Way program, which hires panhandlers for day jobs beautifying the city. In partnership with a local nonprofit that serves the homeless population, a van is dispatched around the city to pick up panhandlers who are interested in working. The job pays $9 an hour, which is above minimum wage, and provides a lunch. At the end of the shift, the participants are offered overnight shelter as needed.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2016/08/11/this-republican-mayor-has-an-incredibly-simple-idea-to-help-the-homeless-and-it-seems-to-be-working.



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Albuquerque mayor hires panhandlers to beautify the city (Original Post) womanofthehills Aug 2016 OP
Nice start. yeoman6987 Aug 2016 #1
Agreed Sherman A1 Aug 2016 #4
I wondered why I'd seen less garbage on the streets near the Interstates lately Warpy Aug 2016 #2
working for pay can lift spirits Skittles Aug 2016 #3
WWJD? This. Beartracks Aug 2016 #5
Bravo Richard Berry Maynar Aug 2016 #6
Help these guys out and litter more. (: Jim Beard Aug 2016 #7
 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
1. Nice start.
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 01:11 AM
Aug 2016

I think they should bring in HR managers to talk to them to see if they could be offered full time jobs. Nice to see a program working. But expansion would help.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
4. Agreed
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 03:34 AM
Aug 2016

It is a great start and a good idea on the part of the Mayor. I also agree with your thoughts of taking this a step or two further. It may not work in all cases, but it's certainly worth a try.

Warpy

(110,909 posts)
2. I wondered why I'd seen less garbage on the streets near the Interstates lately
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 01:11 AM
Aug 2016

This isn't going to cure any problems, but it's a hell of a lot better than arresting them for vagrancy or worse.

Maynar

(769 posts)
6. Bravo Richard Berry
Fri Aug 12, 2016, 03:44 AM
Aug 2016

A republican with a better outlook. This is a an excellent place to start

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