LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Goodwill's "Another Way" program is giving members of Louisville's homeless community a chance to build a better life, while also giving back to the city.

The idea is simple: pick people experiencing homelessness up from streets around Louisville and give them a chance at finding stable work. 

Goodwill's Another Way program started as a pilot program in 2019 and has now grown to help roughly 20 people a day. Participants typically live on Louisville streets or in homeless shelters around the city.

They're offered $50 to work for four hours, doing things like cleaning up locations around the community.

Afterward, they're given lunch and taken to Goodwill's Opportunity Campus where they're connected with resources to find things like permanent work, stable housing and addiction services.

"When we see people getting jobs, when we see someone getting their ID, when we see someone that we can drive to treatment, when we see the Another Way team making this happen for people, there are no words. It's amazing," said Sharon Allgeier, manager of the Goodwill Another Way program.

On Friday, participants worked to mow and pick up trash at Shelby Park.

One of those taking part in the program was William Robertson. Robertson said he is an Army veteran with epilepsy who has lived on the streets for the past five months.

Another Way Van

"I was actually panhandling this morning," said Robertson. "She pulled up and asked if I'd like to work and I said gladly. It makes me feel a lot better to be able to come out and earn my living instead of trying to get a handout from someone. It just feels more honorable."

Robertson described living on the streets as "pretty rough" and said he's glad Goodwill can help him find a stable job. 

"I know some people say they choose to be that way but, no it's not. It's kind of hard to come up with a deposit for rent and things like that. Especially when you're going through some of these places and not getting the mental help," he said. 

Allgeier said over the years she has seen "many success stories." She said what made a difference was getting out into the community to help spread the word about the program. 

"I learned from working the program what we have to do is we have to go get them. Once we go get them and let them know about the programs and services they're like, 'We had no idea goodwill did that,'" she said. 

Organizers tell WDRB News they're hopeful the program will continue to grow with increased support from city leaders. Some, like Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, were at Shelby Park to see the program in action on Friday. 

"This morning was a great opportunity to ride on the van and to meet individuals who are participating in the program and to understand what their needs and challenges are," Greenberg said. "The jobs that are being done really give back to our community. Whether it's working here at Shelby park or at the fair ground, these are all important public service jobs so it's a win-win for the individuals and for our city."

Another Way Program cleans up Shelby Park

Greenberg vowed to continue supporting programs, like those through Goodwill, to help combat Louisville's homelessness crisis. 

"I understand there is a large homeless challenge here in our city. We are working every day on more services and shelter with the community care campus, we're going to continue supporting programs like Goodwill's Another Way and we're going to continue to build more affordable housing," he said.

Since it was founded in 2019, the program has helped more than 1,300 people and has received more than $1 million in funding from Metro Louisville.

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