Clean & Safe
Many graduates of the Community Volunteer Corps apply for a job with Clean & Safe, a mentored work experience that fills a needed service to our community. Local law enforcement professionals and other social service agencies also refer potential employees to the program. The Portland Downtown Business Improvement District contracts with Central City Concern to keep clean a 213-block area in central downtown and along the bus mall. In six-month trainee positions, our employees remove graffiti, contribute to public safety, and keep downtown free of litter and debris. In turn, they build a work history that they can use as they rebuild their lives and pursue gainful employment. Peers provide mentoring, and are living examples of clean, sober, healthy and productive lives.
Toward the end of their six-month work experience, Clean & Safe employees engage in practical, employment development workshops at Employment Access Center where they also may also access one-on-one assistance in the job search process.
Often, graduates of Clean & Safe move onto Central City Concern’s Business Enterprises, a set of janitorial, maintenance, pest control and painting services that maintain CCC’s 23 buildings.
Impact
Clean & Safe is the beginning to self-sufficiency for approximately 60 people each year.
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