Homeless work program kicks off in Visalia

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- More than four months after the City of Visalia announced the creation of a new homeless work program, the work officially began on Monday.

The environmental cleanup opportunities project is a partnership between the city, the Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County, and Able Industries.

The project gives transitional jobs to people who have been homeless within the last year. The goal is to help them build a resume, and get them a full time job and stable housing.

"Sure enough my counselor called me, and said, 'Hey, there's this place you get to go to tomorrow, go there tell them about what you're going through, and they'll put you back and get you a job.' And that's how it worked itself out," said Jesse Guerrero, Eco Worker.

After training last week, crews began cleaning up litter on the side of the road today. The opportunity could lead to a job with the City of Visalia.