Employment for the Unemployed

 

    The courageous act of getting back on your feet is full of many minuit details. For some, it could be mental health management, overcoming drug addiction, or reconnecting with family and community. For others, it could lead to the daunting task of finding employment. Currently, Portland, Oregon has a 3.9% unemployment rate, and it is on the rise since last year. Those who are finding themselves a part of the homeless population are usually experiencing a struggle to keep up with a job, or they are unemployed altogether. This can be daunting, with no streaming income, means little wiggle room for a change in situation. While the steps of changing ones living situation is bound to involve many different hurdles, all pertaining to one's situation, some financial stability is usually included. 

While most of the Portland resources accessible to homeless citizens focus on more urgent needs, food, water, help in mental health crises, etc. Some corporations around the metro area have established connections to jobs and work. Most of the time, this is a partnership between the City of Portland, and non-profit organizations in the area to create work for those who are eligible. G.L.I.T.T.E.R. is an initiative that is peer led, and sponsored by a neighboring non-profit organization, Trash for Peace. The overall focus is on the cleanup of the community, with emphasis on the tent camps around the area. Since its establishment in 2021, GLITTER has hired 43 employees, all on a payroll, with 95% of them currently being homeless. Since their employment, 60% of these employees have gotten off the streets, and are currently housed. Clean Start has a similar structure, with emphasis on trash collection in the rural areas of Portland. Clean Start, while also employing unhoused individuals, offers peer mentoring
, up to 6 months of training, learning job skills to build confidence in the workforce. Most of the employees found new jobs, and homes, while being employed at Clean Start. 

Community Volunteer Corps, which is a part of Central City Concern, offers the same sort of itinerary; with an emphasis on the homeless people affected by addiction. Their focus is on the search for adequate full-time employment, usually in manual labor. With some of the work offered being volunteer work, it also poses as a chance for the homeless to learn adequate skills for working; following directions, time management, and even recommendations. 

The amount of resources offering quick fixes, food, shelter, warmth, etc. is exponentially higher throughout the city of Portland, than more long term solutions like permanent housing, and employment. While taking into consideration the common struggles of the homeless community, including drug addiction and mental health crisis’; which can make it more difficult to secure these necessities, it was surprising to learn the lack of them to begin with. Advocating for the homeless, also means giving them the tools to no longer accept their current situation, while simultaneously creating resources to help the more urgent needs. A more integrated mix of both would help comfort, safety, and give more opportunities for permanent solutions. When it comes to the homeless population, there doesn’t seem to be enough of anything; shelters, good food, clean water, drug intervention, and resources for a more permanent change. Long term differences are made through the enforcement of independence and trust, and offering more jobs to those experiencing homelessness would instill that they are capable individuals. 

https://www.portland.gov/homelessness-impact-reduction/opportunities

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/community-volunteer-corps-homeless-jobs/283-4a8b39df-c952-4c49-a42f-be81e9d19ce1