BAKERSFIELD, CA- City council members will take a look at the agreement with the Bakersfield Homeless Center Wednesday, to continue the Freeway Litter Removal program. The city approved four, one-year renewable terms of the program on May 1st, 2013. The council will consider renewing the agreement through June 2015.
In just about one year, the Bakersfield Homeless Center's highway cleanup program has tripled in size, improving our roadways and quality of life for some local residents. It started last May, with one crew of six employees. Now, it has expanded to three crews, putting 18 people to work.
Highway cleanup is one of three job development programs through the homeless center. There are now three divisions -- Greenwaste, highway clean up and most recently a program with animal control.
Bakersfield Homeless Center representatives say 130 people have gone through the jobs program since it began in 2009. Forty-one of those employees, have gone on to find other full time jobs. They say 50 people are currently employed through the homeless center.
David Orn and his wife came to the Bakersfield Homeless Center in 2009.
Orn said, "We had nothing, nothing, just the clothes on our backs."
He says the job development program changed their lives.
Orn said, "When I started working, we make the money now where we don't have section 8 no more, all of our bills are paid on our own, we don't have no assistance at all. It makes us feel very proud to do that."
Orn is one of 18 employees working on highway clean up and toward their own goals.
Highway cleanup worker Douglas Killian said, "Six months ago I got my own place and moved out of the shelter."
Crew foreman Phillip Montez said, "I've moved to a better house."
Bakersfield Homeless Center Executive Director Louis Gill said, "Giving people the opportunity to earn their own way again means everything. You give families pride."
Gill says the program is a success.
"Since we started this program, 500 tons of trash have come off the freeway, lots of people have jobs. That's a win," said Gill.
He says he hopes the program continues to expand -- improving our community and the lives of people in need.
Orn said, "Anybody out there that really needs help, all they got to do is ask and they could get it and they can accomplish anything. If I can do it, anybody can do it."
Funding for the program comes from the city, Caltrans, KernCOG and community donations.
In just about one year, the Bakersfield Homeless Center's highway cleanup program has tripled in size, improving our roadways and quality of life for some local residents. It started last May, with one crew of six employees. Now, it has expanded to three crews, putting 18 people to work.
Highway cleanup is one of three job development programs through the homeless center. There are now three divisions -- Greenwaste, highway clean up and most recently a program with animal control.
Bakersfield Homeless Center representatives say 130 people have gone through the jobs program since it began in 2009. Forty-one of those employees, have gone on to find other full time jobs. They say 50 people are currently employed through the homeless center.
David Orn and his wife came to the Bakersfield Homeless Center in 2009.
Orn said, "We had nothing, nothing, just the clothes on our backs."
He says the job development program changed their lives.
Orn said, "When I started working, we make the money now where we don't have section 8 no more, all of our bills are paid on our own, we don't have no assistance at all. It makes us feel very proud to do that."
Orn is one of 18 employees working on highway clean up and toward their own goals.
Highway cleanup worker Douglas Killian said, "Six months ago I got my own place and moved out of the shelter."
Crew foreman Phillip Montez said, "I've moved to a better house."
Bakersfield Homeless Center Executive Director Louis Gill said, "Giving people the opportunity to earn their own way again means everything. You give families pride."
Gill says the program is a success.
"Since we started this program, 500 tons of trash have come off the freeway, lots of people have jobs. That's a win," said Gill.
He says he hopes the program continues to expand -- improving our community and the lives of people in need.
Orn said, "Anybody out there that really needs help, all they got to do is ask and they could get it and they can accomplish anything. If I can do it, anybody can do it."
Funding for the program comes from the city, Caltrans, KernCOG and community donations.