Pilot Program Will Offer Day Jobs to Panhandlers in Maine's Largest City - (03/06/2017) Maine's largest city, Portland, is going to be trying out a 36-week pilot program to offer day jobs to panhandlers at $10.68 an hour, according to the Portland Press Herald. The approach is a new one to deal with panhandling, which brings complaints f...
Maine's largest city, Portland, is going to be trying out a 36-week pilot program to offer day jobs to panhandlers at $10.68 an hour, according to the Portland Press Herald. The approach is a new one to deal with panhandling, which brings complaints from residents and visitors and which business owners worry affects tourism. And the goal isn't only to reduce the number of panhandlers, but to connect them with social services that could help them towards more productive and stable lives.
Other cities that have been trying innovative work programs include Chicago, San Jose, California, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, which has had some success with its program. Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry told the Press Herald that panhandlers are receptive to the idea when they're approached with dignity and respect, and become more motivated when someone believes in their ability to accomplish something.
Could it work in RI? Why not?