Vancouver recently received funding from the state to expand its litter removal program.
The City of Vancouver received a grant of $180,000, or $90,000 yearly for two years, from the state Department of Commerce. The grant is to be used to expand the Talkin' Trash program.
The Talkin' Trash program is run jointly by Share, a local non-profit organization, and the city, to protect the environment and the health of the public by removing litter. At the same time, the effort helps homeless individuals learn to be self-sufficient. Currently, the program comprises one crew made up of three cleaners and a supervisor, who remove litter from Vancouver's public spaces. Flyer printing can be used to describe programs like this.
The Department of Commerce makes grants in cases like this under its Municipal Labor Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness effort. Share will use the funding to add a second crew of three to its Talkin' Trash program. It will also be able to expand the effort to additional areas throughout Vancouver, and buy another truck and trailer for the crews to use.
Vancouver and Share formed Talkin' Trash in 2017, when corrections crews, who traditionally pick up litter, were unavailable for the task. Participants in the program gain training and work experience, and are also connected to housing and additional services Since the program started, Talkin' Trash crews have picked up over 215 tons of trash from over 62 locations, and most of the workers have found permanent housing.
