By First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids
The Work Program, an outreach ministry of First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids, provides a paid workforce for many Heartside neighborhood non-profit agencies, by funding short-term work opportunities for people who are homeless or living in poverty. The purpose of the program is to support the community and its residents, benefiting both the work place and the worker.
On Tuesday mornings, people come to First Church and sign up for the program. Weekly participants are selected through a random drawing. When their name is drawn, they choose a job from a list of approximately twelve job sites. All jobs are within walking distance and may be any day, Tuesday through Friday. The work opportunities last up to two hours, for which they are paid twenty dollars.
Program Details:
- Work up to two hours and earn $20 cash.
- Lottery sign-up is Tuesday 7-7:45am
- Limit one job per person per month.
- Photo ID is required.
To make contributions, to volunteer, or for more information about the Work Program, please contact Richard Johnson, Director of The Work Program, 616-451-2879 ext. 125 or richardj@grfumc.org.
The Work Program began over three decades ago when our Commission on Social Concerns saw that some of the needs of Heartside residents and homeless were not being met. A plan was begun which paid cash for people willing to do short term jobs at local social service agencies. The program became instantly popular, because it gave people a chance to earn cash and give back to the community which supports them.
First United Methodist Church is located at 227 Fulton St E Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
