{"id":268190,"date":"2025-10-01T03:46:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T03:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/268190\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T03:46:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T03:46:14","slug":"homeless-campsite-cleanups-getting-more-help-with-1-8m-nonprofit-contract-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/268190\/","title":{"rendered":"Homeless campsite cleanups getting more help with $1.8M nonprofit contract expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"

More yellow-vested workers will pick up debris and clean up homeless campsites around Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

City Council members authorized spending an additional $1.8 million to hire more workers from UpSpire, a nonprofit that provides job opportunities to people experiencing homelessness or struggling with other barriers to employment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s annual contract with UpSpire, run by the faith-based nonprofit Presbyterian Night Shelter, now comes to $4.5 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not only picking up litter, but it\u2019s helping currently or formerly homeless individuals that need a job, need an income, so they can save money and they can move out of homelessness,\u201d Presbyterian Night Shelter CEO Toby Owen said.<\/p>\n

Concerns about litter in Fort Worth have grown since 2019<\/a>. City leaders launched several initiatives in response \u2014 including more litter pickup staff<\/a>, its fleet of street sweepers<\/a> and the creation of the environmental services department<\/a> in 2023.<\/p>\n

The additional dollars support the environmental services department\u2019s efforts to clean up illegal campsites and litter across the city. Environmental services staff previously requested<\/a> the funds for extra help.<\/p>\n

Currently, the agreement between the city and UpSpire provides for up to 13 litter abatement crews: 11 city-focused crews and two crews dedicated to help Texas Department of Transportation cleanup highways, often hot spots for litter and debris<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The extra money allows UpSpire to pay for 10 additional five-person crews. Half will be focused on illegal camping and debris cleanup, and the other half will support special events and pilot projects, according to the contract amendment<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The partnership fulfills goals for both the city\u2019s environmental services department and for UpSpire, Owen said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Founded in 2016<\/a>, UpSpire seeks out potential employees from those seeking services from the Presbyterian Night Shelter to help them get jobs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The workers receive full-time employment with benefits, providing a stepping stone for their next job, Owen said. At the same time, UpSpire employees help the community.<\/p>\n

UpSpire is hiring its next set of employees who become part of the new cleanup crews, Owen said. Their first day on the job is scheduled for Nov. 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really solving more than just litter,\u201d Owen said. \u201cIt\u2019s helping people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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