NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Atlantic City has hired 10 people experiencing homelessness to work for the Department of Public Works.
It’s through a new 10-week program called the Hope Work Initiative, which gives people a chance to earn money and even a full-time job at the end.
Director of Health and Human Services Jarrod Barnes says the newly employed individuals will help clean up a number of locations in the city.
“Cleaning City Hall, whether that’s vacuuming, taking out trash, cleaning
different offices. They are also working with the beach and boardwalk division, and they are also working with the street division as well,” Barnes said.
They work five hours per day, three days a week and earn $75 each day. The money comes from the City’s Opioid Settlement funds at no cost to Atlantic City taxpayers.
Jason McCracken says this is a chance for him to help clean up his life as well as the city.
“My goal and plan is to save it up and get better housing and find an apartment here in the city.”
While they are in the program, Barnes says case workers will help the workers secure permanent housing. After the 10 weeks, city officials say they will strongly consider hiring the workers full-time. If all goes as expected, they will do this again.