The City of Fall River is embarking on a pilot project that aims to get those who are homeless back to work while also tackling the city’s litter problem.
Fall River Shines is funded by a grant from the Bristol County Training Consortium. It employs five individuals to work for the city on weekday mornings picking up trash across Fall River.
The prospective employees are selected from among those who attend the day drop-in location at the Timao Center on Bay Street. Director Lisa Mello says many individuals are interested in going to work, but obstacles persist.
Along with working to beautify the city, the employees also take part in weekly skills training that will make them more marketable for their next job. Ms. Mello says the part-time work schedule suits this group of individuals well.
Mayor Paul Coogan says the program provides positive reinforcement for these employees to turn around their lives.
Ms. Mello says as the summer progresses there will be efforts made to accommodate more people.
Fall River Shines is just one element of how the Timao Center works with the homeless to get them back to work.
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