Information provided by HOME Resource Center Shelter Manager Christina Soto with Community Homeless Solutions.
Homelessness continues to be a crisis in San Benito County and throughout the State of California. Proving shelter and housing is only part of the solution. Providing them with re-entry jobs and life skills is also necessary in order to promote their recovery and return to mainstream society.
A small grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank has made it possible for the nonprofit Community Homeless Solutions to launch a Community Beautification and Homeless Empowerment Project that will target work ready homeless individuals to beautify local neighborhoods.
“What a great opportunity to empower our homeless community members with work skills training and at the same time get paid and teach them good work ethic” said Enrique Arreola, deputy director of San Benito County Community Services and Workforce Development. “This is our first year of operating this program and we are confident that we will positively impact our most in need community members.”
The program will secure a crew of five members to participate in the beautification project, according to a recent press release.
“Everybody deserves an opportunity to strive for personal happiness by being a valued member of our community,” said San Benito County Supervisor Anthony Botelho. “Some folks need a bit of assistance and a chance to succeed. The guests participating in the programs at the HOME Resource Center want to better their lives. All of us should be encouraged by their willingness to work towards that goal.”
The beautification services will be provided three days per week for a total of 16 to 20 hours. On a weekly basis, work crews will participate in a two-hour workshop on life skills development to help reinforce good work ethics, punctuality and attendance. Community Homeless Solutions will closely supervise all of the project activities and the progress of crew members. Community Homeless Solutions will also identify work sites including but not limited to the Migrant Center, San Benito County offices, city parks and other neighborhood locations needing beautification.
The Community Beautification and Homeless Empowerment Project started on November 13 at the San Benito Migrant Center. Other projects are currently being scheduled within San Benito County and the City of Hollister limits.
“So many of our homeless clients are motivated to change their lives, but for a variety of reasons are just not able to do so,” said Shelter Program Manager Christina Soto. “Our shelter and staff offer housing, food, and support – the essentials that enable and motivate many to challenge and overcome the obstacles that led them to homelessness. This project provides opportunity that can restore the dignity and hope that is needed to succeed.”
Said Community Homeless Solutions Executive Director Reyes Bonilla: “With the support of an AHEAD grant funded by FHL Bank of San Francisco, we are able to employ shelter clients who are homeless and provide them with the experience and training that could lead them to full time employment.”
If you are interested in being a potential site for the Community Beautification Project, please contact Christina Soto at csoto@communityhomelesssolutions.org or call at (831) 256-1852.
“I’m excited to be moving to the next phase of helping our homeless with our new program to help them with local community jobs,” Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velasquez said.
Visit www.CommunityHomelessSolutions.org to learn more about our organization.
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