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Hands That Help good for homeless, employers
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Sonrise Christian Fellowship has formed two softball teams in Simi Valley composed mainly of homeless people trying to turn around their lives.View photos »
Juan Carlo / Star staff Heather Doan, foreground, and Susan Marine scrub floors at the home of Gene Haury of Simi Valley. Doan and Marine are involved in Hands That Help.
STORY TOOLS 
More from Local NewsIt may not take a lot to become homeless — a couple of missed paychecks, an estranged family and paltry savings can do it.
But many who are homeless say it takes a lot to get back into regular life.
So a group of homeless people in Simi Valley is edging back by doing odd jobs.
"For the first time in a long time we're helping ourselves," said Susan Marine, a homeless woman who organized the program. "There is nothing like getting a little self-respect when you're that far down."
Called Hands That Help, the job service sends out the homeless to do housekeeping, yard work, masonry, painting and furniture moving.
Most but not all attend a local church, Sonrise Christian Fellowship. Organizers advertised the program with a flier that went out with the church bulletin in the spring but plan to expand to other churches in the months ahead, Marine said.
Hands That Help has done dozens of jobs since May with pay averaging $8.75 to $10 an hour, she said.
"It's trying to get as many people as we can working and back into a normal life," Marine said. "Hands That Help is helping the stigma."
Last month, a few workers went to retired teacher Gene Haury's home in Simi Valley.
Marine, a former secretary, and Heather Doan, a former housekeeper and grocery store worker, stripped the kitchen floor. Kevin Hicks, a former drywall worker, was moving dirt after the removal of a retaining wall.
Haury said he pays the homeless workers $10 an hour. Afterward he takes them to lunch.
"They've gone from being strangers to being friends," said Haury, a church member who said he has employed the workers several times.
Health problems have prevented him from keeping up his home the way he'd like, Haury said.
"I was getting farther and farther behind," he said.
Both the crew and their employer liked the work.
Hicks said it's a lot better than collecting cans to get enough to eat.
Hicks, a self-described recovering alcoholic, said it doesn't take long to fall into homelessness, but it's a hard way back.
"The money you earn goes to eating and surviving," he said.
"Before I became homeless, I had a house in Simi," he said. "I was a normal member of society it only took the lack of a couple paychecks before it all fell apart."
By the time people become homeless, they are not in a position to say they can take a job for a year, Marine said.
"Their clothing is very limited," she said. "Usually they have no transportation."
But they can make a commitment for a day, she said.
"We're willing to start at the bottom," Marine said.
Doan noted that was the case — literally.
"That's where we are," Doan joked as she took a break from stripping the floor.
Posted by imbetnonit on September 5, 2007 at 2:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sweet!
Posted by spokenit on September 5, 2007 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now this is something worth reading. Its about time. I think most of us are just one paycheck away from being homeless. This is a great article. Other cities should follow the lead.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 5, 2007 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree , This is a great way to get back on your feet with dignity to boot !
Just read an article about an apartment owner going into foreclosure giving the tenants thirty days to move out. Many are living pay check to paycheck and have no savings. These people will be homeless. Its very sad !
Posted by elisacassino on September 5, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with spokenit, this is a great article and I agree that other states and cities should follow the lead. Great job !!!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 5, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pconvery99,if a person is paid by the hour I believe its legal. Now if they give you a bid for doing an entire job then yes they must be licensed.
I believe I am correct.....
Posted by jackiewv on September 5, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great article. I enjoyed reading it.
Kudos to Sonrise Christian Fellowship for having this program.
Posted by KathrynAsh on September 6, 2007 at 2:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What kind of screening do they do for these homeless people before letting them into people's homes?
I know it's good to help those in need, but remember what happened to Elizabeth Smart? Her family hired a homeless man to do odd jobs for them, and he ended up kidnapping their daughter.
Certainly there has to be safer ways of helping the homeless.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 6, 2007 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would hope everyone has been screened. I dont know good question though Kath.
Posted by ecarson1958 on September 8, 2007 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would be willing to hire someone if they are willing to work. Just the fact they are english speaking is a step above the alternative.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 12, 2007 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ecarson1958 , I agree ! I am so pissed off now.My Son put in an application for a job he was fully qualified for......... they were hiring two people! BUT you had to be bi-lingual!!!! What is the official language here? This really upsets me!
Posted by rodrigmr on September 13, 2007 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whatever pcconvery99 -Better than hiring an illegal who do you think is out in the fields getting your dinner? Would you be out in the heat doing it NOT!
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