For $1300, businesses can hire the Portland Opportunity Crew for one week. The $1300 contribution will provide jobs and meals for workers for that week, cleaned up public spaces, and a pathway to future career and support services. The $1300 sponsorship includes advertising at clean-up sites while workers are working, publicity from the City on our website and social media, and is tax deductible.
To hire the crew and sponsor this nationally-recognized program, contact Aaron Geyer at 207-482-5131 or via email.
about the panhandling-to-work program
The Portland Opportunity Crew program is based on the successes several other cities across the country have had, such as in Albuquerque, New Mexico and San Jose, California. The program offers panhandlers the opportunity to earn money to cleanup public areas and links them with needed services, such as job training and support. Workers pick up trash and beautify the city's parks and trails, primarily on the peninsula. Program participants will be paid minimum wage, which in Portland is $12.00 an hour, at the end of the shift.
The City's Social Services Division works with the City's Parks Division to run the program. It operates two to three days a week from approximately May through September, and on each day up to six people are hired. The City works with Workforce Solutions and Complete Labor to link participants with additional services such as job training and employment support.