You've likely seen people panhandling at several major intersections as you're driving around Springfield. Now, the city and some community partners are working on a program to offer them jobs.

Wheels to Work would send buses to popular panhandling areas to offer to take people to job sites.

The city's staff started working on the two-month pilot program, largely modeled off one in Albuquerque, after they heard more and more citizens' concerns about the increasing numbers of people panhandling.

The city already has two small buses donated by City Utilities of Springfield that Crosslines volunteers would drive to several popular intersections. There would also be signs and a public information campaign about the program to inform the public as well as those panhandling.

"Part of it is a public education program to know that handing a $10 bill out the window is not the best way and the most effective way to help some of these folks. We're a very giving community; we're a very caring community. So this is a program hopefully that will show compassion, but also be a lot more effective in helping people who truly are in need," said City Manager Greg Burris.

Caseworkers on the buses would explain the opportunities and resources available, and the buses would take people to the Missouri Job Center on East Sunshine Street. There, they could work on starting a career, with resources like a job readiness assessment and help making a resume. Or people could go on to another community partner, People Ready, which offers unskilled, general day labor such as unloading trucks or washing dishes.

"I don't know how many folks would be interested in the work that I have available, but I think it's important that I make that opportunity available to those folks that have an interest; if they choose not to have an interest, we certainly understand," said People Ready branch manager Rand Henslee.

Henslee says some jobs start at minimum wage, while others pay a higher wage.

"Oh yeah, I would definitely work for the day, you know what I mean. I usually do when I'm traveling; I do find odd end jobs, definitely on farms and stuff like that," said Jeffrey Walters, who said Tuesday afternoon that he was traveling through Springfield on the way to Chicago.

The city hopes to iron out the rest of the details and kick off the Wheels to Work pilot program in about a month.

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Edited news release from City of Springfield:

Proposed program could help get panhandlers off the street and into jobs

In Albuquerque, they were searching for a “better way.” In Portland, they created an “Opportunity Crew”. And in Springfield, leaders are hoping to provide “Wheels to Work.”

City officials are working on an eight-week pilot program called “Wheels to Work” to offer day jobs and long-term employment opportunities to panhandlers. The program, which was proposed to City Council on Tuesday, would have nonprofit partners, such as Crosslines, driving vans around to busy intersections and offering panhandlers a chance to earn up to $11 an hour.

The panhandlers would be offered a variety of light labor day jobs. They would be paid at the end of each day.

The City has partnered with People Ready to supply the jobs. Their core expertise is recruiting, screening, and hiring the right workers for on-demand, seasonal support and temporary staffing.

“The first and foremost goal is to treat panhandlers with respect and compassion,” said City Manager Greg Burris. “We want to make sure people have opportunities and they aren’t relegated to panhandling as their only way to make ends meet. We would like to reduce the number of panhandlers standing at intersections, but also to connect people with services and that could put them on the path to healthier and more productive, stable lives.”

The City’s director of Workforce Development, Mary Ann Rojas, will coordinate the services provided to panhandlers (guests), who will receive a free ride to the Missouri Job Center, where they will receive more than a day job. Rojas says they will receive assistance to hopefully get them in a pipeline for more stable and higher-paying work.

Missouri Job Center has about 3,000 jobs available on any one given day. But, Rojas also understands that there are some serious barriers that people often face in trying to secure employment. And she wants to help tear down those barriers with the help of many partner organizations.

“A lot of times, under-resourced people need assistance with job readiness - like access to basic services, obtaining a driver’s license or other documents, or even referrals for other services to address mental or physical health issues or housing,” Rojas said. “We want to help with that.”