New program hoping to help homeless women in the Valley gain skills to start a career

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new program in the Central Valley is providing critical job training for homeless women. It hopes to give them the skills to find a career on their own.

Peanut butter and honey dog biscuits are available at the Packaging Store in Fig Garden Village and the proceeds go to help fund the new program for homeless women.

"So what we do is we bake these natural dog treats called dogs Dig Em which gives the girls work skills like, well, one, they have to show up on time they have to follow food safety laws," said Sandra Kaye, St. Francis Homeless Project.

St. Francis Homeless Project has just partnered with Westcare to provide homeless women who've already established their sobriety. The women in the six-month long program bake the treats at the Institute of Technology. Teaching them important skills for building a career while also getting paid.

"The momentum the girls have is unbelievable that somebody actually gave them a chance to have a job," said Kaye.

Lynn Pimentel with Westcare said the women have been through so much in their lives-- overcoming major odds like drug and alcohol addiction. They first receive treatment from Westcare before moving on to St. Francis.

"It's a tough market out there. And it takes a lot of folks at the table to change the world of work. And that's what we're trying to do here.">

The program has only been running for a couple months but Kaye said the difference can already be seen in the women.

"There's a couple with us right now that would barely speak at all, and now we can't shut them up. Because they're so excited to be a part of our community finally."

Right now the program helps 12 women at a time, but they're hoping to double that number by the end of the year.