“RiNo is committed to advancing meaningful ways to support our community experiencing homelessness and to providing them with pathways to employment and success,” said Jamie Licko, RiNo Art District President. “Our neighborhood has needs that the Denver Day Works program can fill, and so this pilot partnership with DHS to bring Denver Day Works here was one we pursued strongly. We want to create a sound structure that we can use to employ the help of these individuals on an ongoing basis in our district. We are committed to finding a way to make it a permanent partnership.”
The Denver Day Works program, which provides low- to no-barrier work experience for people experiencing homelessness will employ up to 36 individuals per week in RiNo, for three weeks. Workers are paid $12.59 an hour for their services. While on-site, RiNo businesses will be backing the effort and supporting the success of the effort. To date, Wolf Properties, Denver Central Market, Crema Coffee and The Rackhouse have committed to help by providing meals and facilities for the workers’ use while on site. Throughout the workday, DHS will offer employment training and services to the workers with the goal of helping them obtain long term employment. “Denver Day Works is a key part of our new strategy to connect residents to a good home, good health and a good job so that they can live a good life here in Denver,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “Through this pilot partnership with the RiNo Art District and Business Improvement District, we’re going to connect even more individuals in our city who are experiencing homelessness with training, job opportunities and the right services at the right time.”
