Plans To Extend Program Created To Help Homeless Find Jobs
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke on Tuesday about the success of the Denver Day Works program.
It started in 2016 and helps people find jobs not only with the city, but a number of private companies. It even provides transportation to get to work.
"People who are experiencing homelessness are no different. They are hungry for the opportunity to work hard to achieve their personal dreams and to take their self-sufficiency in their own hands," said Hancock.
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On Tuesday, the mayor and a number of people in the program touted its success.
"My life has improved immensely in the last year," Scott McIntosh told CBS4.
McIntosh has been homeless off and on for the last 10 years. The city's program helped him find a job at the Denver Central Library changing lights from florescent to LED -- a project will save the city about $500,000 a year.
"It's benefited me. It's gotten me back to work. It's found me a good job that pays well that I can survive on, pay my bills, and start a new chapter on my life and hopefully make things better," said McIntosh.
Officials say aside from that, the program helps participants make changes in their lives -- something the participants agree on.
"I can now feel proud about myself and say I earn my money. I don't have to wait for someone to give me a hand out, that's one of the greatest feelings in the world," said another participant.
Hancock says they have a plan to extend the program which has helped at least 100 people get jobs since it launched in 2016.
LINK: Denver Day Works Program
Dominic Garcia anchors CBS4 News at 5 p.m. and reports for CBS4 News at 10 p.m. Connect with the Denver native on Twitter @cbs4dom & on Facebook.