City Jobs Program Provides Reasons To Be Thankful

Press release from the City of Fairfax:

11/18/2020 9:59 AM

As the holiday season approaches, there are many things for which to be thankful, even in an unprecedented year in which our lives have been dominated by a global pandemic. City Jobs, a program developed as a partnership between The Lamb Center and the City of Fairfax, Va., is quietly improving the lives of participants and contributing to the quality of life for city residents and businesses.

For the past two years, the City Jobs program has provided work to people experiencing homelessness, added capacity to the Parks and Recreation Department’s maintenance crews, and improved the environment through the removal of litter and invasive plants. Participants have made public spaces safer and more beautiful, extended the city’s leaf collection and snow removal efforts, and planted trees throughout the community.

Click here to enjoy a video about the project:

Open House
To mark the success of this transformational program, The Lamb Center hosted an open house at Van Dyck Park from 10 a.m. to noon on November 12, 2020. The innovative partnership was celebrated and a ceremony was held to recognize the Mayor and City Council’s support of the program. Mayor David Meyer and Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Salgado will make remarks.

“City Jobs has provided a path to full time employment and self-sufficiency for some, and dignity and pride to all involved. Everyone involved feels better about themselves and it isn't because of the $40 they get each day — though Lord knows they take it,” says Lamb Center Executive Director John MacPherson. “We are wired to work. Our guests benefit from working, the city benefits by getting tasks done that would normally be neglected, and the community benefits from safer and better looking parks and trails. It's a win-win-win.”

City Jobs began on November 8, 2018, as a four-month pilot program before receiving annual funding through a grant from Fairfax City. The Lamb Center guests earn $10 per hour, paid in cash, after completing four-hour shifts held twice a week. Despite the logistical challenges posed by the pandemic, City Jobs has run continuously since its inception. The program benefits the city by extending the reach of parks and recreation staff, enabling the department to improve response time and tackle deferred projects.

“This year has been challenging for all of us, but it's been even tougher for poor and homeless people,” says Lamb Center Workforce Development Manager Evan Reyle. “City Jobs meets our guests where they are. It helps them learn new skills and practice healthy communications in a safe environment without fear of losing their job. Our goal is to prepare our guests, not only to find work that suits them but hang on to it, moving towards self-sufficiency.”

Common Purpose and Trust
“This program is successful because The Lamb Center and the city are united by a common purpose and trust,” says Tara Ruszkowski, a Lamb Center board member. When the pandemic forced the city to lay off temporary staff, most of the city’s public restrooms were closed. The City Jobs crew stepped up to clean the restrooms at Stafford Park, returning in the evening to secure the facility, at no additional charge to the city.

City Jobs serves as a re-entry point into the labor force for Lamb Center guests. One participant, Norman Dixon, now works as a member of the Fairfax City leaf removal crew. “The Lamb Center is deeply thankful for the seasonal work opportunities the city provides our guests,” says Cathy Liverman, Lamb Center Board Chair.

Model for Other Jurisdictions
The Fairfax City-Lamb Center partnership serves as an example for other jurisdictions. Using City Jobs as its model, Fairfax County developed Operation Stream Shield, a countywide initiative funding four teams from three social services agencies, including the Lamb Center, to remove litter and invasive plants from local waterways.

“The City Jobs program has enabled The Lamb Center to take its program and ministry to the next level, helping those guest participants to take meaningful steps toward wholeness and healing in their lives,” says David Meyer, Mayor of the City of Fairfax. “The City is a committed partner in helping workers facilitate their discovery of recovery. We want to see The Lamb Center continue to move guests into stable housing as a vital next phase to fuller and more stable lives. We are proud of what these workers continue to achieve and accomplish for us and for themselves.”

City Jobs participants are also thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the community and re-enter the workforce. Lamb Center guest Joseph Fowlkes said, "The program works if you work it. You get what you put into it. I could not have gotten my foot in the door at my current job if it wasn't for the City Jobs Program giving me a platform to showcase my hard work ethic and leadership."

"We need each other, that's what this program is all about,” says Lamb Center guest Sebastian Porte.

Media Contacts
Matthew Kaiser, Communications and Marketing director, City of Fairfax: 703-273-6381
Tara Ruszkowski, The Lamb Center: 703-655-3302

This press release was produced by the City of Fairfax. The views expressed here are the author’s own.