Download GeorgiaWorksLPF15 - Georgia Public Policy Foundation

October 15, 2015
Georgia Works! Changes Habits to Improve Lives
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The goal of Georgia Works! is to graduate self-sufficient men
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Not a hand out
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A program that offers men an opportunity to work, get paid, and
change their habits and their mind-set from dependency to selfsufficiency
Homelessness in an Issue in Atlanta
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Tonight in Atlanta, there will be approximately 6,000 people who
have nowhere to call home.
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About 4500 of these people are “episodically homeless” - essentially
poor people who have had an episode in their lives
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About 1500 people are chronically homeless.
- 30% of these folks are severely mentally ill
- 70% or about 1000, have bad habits and huge obstacles
Georgia Works! Starts With A Commitment
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Clients are men who commit to;
– remain drug free (drug tested 2x week)
– work 30 to 35 hours a week
– agree not to take hand outs of any kind
– agree to save 20% of income
– agree to pay for room and board
The Change Requires A Work Ethic and Discipline
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Work 30+ Hours at least minimum Wage
Earn approximately $222 a week
Pay $100 a week for room and board
Forced Savings of $50 per week
Cash in pocket of $72 per week
Participants renounce all public assistance
When a Man Comes In Off the Street:
- No Money
- Historical Drug/Alcohol Problems
- Arrested Dozens and Dozens of Time
- No Identification
- Past Due Child Support
- Past Due Fines and Wage Garnishments
- No Bank account and bad credit
- Poor Formal Education
- Lingering Health Issues
- Etc..etc..etc..etc..etc...
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That Commitment Is The Start To A Change
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Six to Twelve month multiphase program of life skills and work
training to overcome barriers to self sufficiency.
Services include:
– Transitional jobs
– Transitional housing
– Case management
– Relapse prevention
– Adult education and
computer skills
– Life Skills training
– Financial management
– Career development
…And Is Already Fulfilling Its Potential
• 100 Men currently in program
• 85 Graduates - Men with jobs,
apartments and are clean and
paying taxes!
• Average starting wage
$10.50/hour
• 30 men have had driving
privileges restored
• 55% of men in the program (of
the 100 men) are working in jobs
that can lead to full-time
employment
• 95% of men are in contact with
their children and are current on
child-support
• 80% Program Retention rate
• Thousands of Passed Drug and
Alcohol Test (20 failed)
Georgia Works! Effectiveness Is Efficient
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Currently 55 men working for
private businesses for 40 hours
a week at $10 an hour
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Represents $22,000 a week in
revenues to Georgia Works
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Represents $ 1.1 MM in annual
revenues
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Pays for Over HALF the annual
budget of Georgia Works
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It costs Georgia Works $9,000
to take a man from chronic
homelessness to self sufficiency
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It costs the State of Georgia
$18,000 to incarcerate a man
for a year
Georgia Works! Requires Work to Work
Where Work Works, (the motto of Georgia Works!) describes the effort
we believe will change the culture of dependency and, poverty among the
homeless in Atlanta.
To make a greater impact on our community we need the capacity to
serve more homeless men. To do so requires additional community
contracts with more in-town communities, as well as more corporate
partners to provide job opportunities
Benefits of Working With Georgia Works!
When Employers Contract with Georgia Works!
they get Men that are:
1. Eager and On Time
2. Drug and Alcohol Free
3. Trained to do the job
4. Transportation provided by Georgia Works!
5. Fully insured Labor by Georgia Works! for
Workers Compensation and General Liability
6. Flexible hours and staffing levels to fit
Employers Needs
Companies Working with Georgia Works!