Salvation Army Street Team Launches In Sarasota

A program aimed to help the homeless gain job skills will launch in Sarasota on Monday morning.

The Salvation Army and the City of Sarasota will start the Sarasota Street Team program where volunteers will pick up trash in parks, trim and weed flower beds, and other minor maintence work.

Folks wil see 10 people work weekday shifts from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. — five downtown and five in Newtown. The city anticipates a third team to start soon.

It's designed to gain job experience and grow accustom to demands of a work-life balance, including punctuality and meeting job performance.

Following their work, the volunteers, which are selected by The Savlation Army, return to The Salvation Army for required classroom studies, including life skills training and résumé writing.

“This is the kind of partnership we need to help the homeless help themselves,” said Mayor Suzanne Atwell.  “The Street Team workers are not replacing City employees.  Instead they’re providing an enhanced level of service in the City.  Some people truly need a helping hand to get back on their feet.  I’m looking forward to this new program filling that need,” said Mayor Atwell. 

The City of Sarasota is providing an $80,000 grant toward operating the program:  $40,000 in Tax Increment Funds from the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency and $40,000 in Tax Increment Funds from the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency. 

Sarasota Street Teams is modeled after similar programs launched by The Salvation Army throughout the country.