Homeless residents in Portland have found the best and most effective way to make $20- $29 per hour

Homelessness and unemployment are among the most pressing issues in numerous countries worldwide. In Portland, the visible rise in homelessness, which increased by approximately 65% between 2015 and 2023, prompted widespread concern, per GOOD GOOD GOOD. The government devised a solution that addressed both homelessness and unemployment within the city. Furthermore, this innovative solution is not only benefiting the city but also providing homeless individuals with a sense of purpose, fostering transformative personal growth. Ground Score, a non-profit organization created for and by the homeless community, spearheaded an initiative that has become a lifeline for many."

Co-founder Barbara Weber, a former homeless, shared that many of her neighbors would pick up trash cans and bottles. It pushed her to question why they weren’t earning from the deed. Thanks to her determination and efforts, the organization has financial support from the government and other welfare benefits for workers. Supported by Trash For Peace—dealing with waste management of the country and with the support of the government, the association created a project titled “GLITTER (Ground Score Leading Inclusively Together Through Environmental Recovery).”

This project targets the homeless and hires them to make a respectful living by collecting trash along streets and allocated routes. In return, each person receives between $20 and $29 per hour from the city of Portland, Multnomah County and the Lloyd Enhanced Services District. “We value this highly effective program and have no plans to make any cuts to GLITTER,” city spokesperson Laura Rude said, per The Oregonian. Katie Lindsay, a program analyst for Portland, added that there is potential to get “significant outcomes for the lowest of dollars.” The results have rightly been remarkable. Ever since the commencement of the project, around 55 members have been hired, 95% of whom are homeless. From these, 70% have already gotten homes—and all of it while keeping the city clean.

As for the cleanliness, they have been doing their jobs impeccably. In 2022, they picked up 1 million pounds of trash. The next year, 691,706 pounds of trash were taken from the city’s streets. Not all of these go to waste directly. Nearly 85,000 pounds were diverted from landfills. Weber also leads recycling and repair programs where many of these materials are reused as a plus for the environment. With so much good already coming from the program, one wouldn’t expect more. However, workers have been living dignified and clean lives ever since. 53% of the GLITTER workers were reported to have become clean and sober after joining the job.

Angela McGuire, one of the former homeless women, inspired many by sharing her story, per KGW News.  She noted that affording food was a basic right. “I didn't want to have to beg people for help,” she added. When she came across the job, she happily filled the position. From earning $20 as a worker to going up the ranks over the years and becoming a coordinator, McGuire’s life turned around. “It feels good to say it. I'm proud of where I'm at right now,” she said. “We’ve created an incredibly safe space for people to be. This gives people joy. This gives people purpose. And sometimes, when people have talents, it wakes that up,” Weber noted.