Working a day at a time brings pride to homeless

Besides the pay, the positives of working are many, especially if you’ve hit hard times — self-respect, camaraderie, contributing to your community and not having to ask for a handout.

Some homeless people in Albuquerque are getting a hand up through “There’s a Better Way,” a program funded by the city and administered by St. Martin’s Hospitality Center.

St. Martin’s picks up would-be panhandlers and homeless men and women and offers them a day job — 5½ hours on a crew cleaning up locations around the city — at $9 an hour, paid in cash.

In addition, St. Martin’s support staff offers help connecting participants with social services for personal issues, including physical and mental health, alcohol and substance abuse, affordable housing and employment.

The pilot project, which is garnering national interest, was started about three months ago with a reconditioned van and a $50,000 grant from the city. So far, the effort has provided work for nearly 250 people who collectively have removed nearly 20,000 pounds of weeds and litter. Six of these workers have found permanent jobs. Will Cole, who works for St. Martin’s and drives the program’s van, orchestrates the work crews, right now just on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cole says if he had more vans he could fill them all with people wanting to work rather than panhandle.

Kudos to St. Martin’s executive director, the Rev. Rusty Smith, and his staff — especially Cole, who twice a week makes a good idea a reality.

Smith says the project is the brainchild of Mayor Richard Berry, who says he plans to ask for “significantly more” money for the program in next year’s budget. The City Council should find it.

This program is worthy of being scaled up so at the end of the work day, the program’s participants can hold their heads up high, knowing they have indeed found a “better way.”