We live in a city where large segments of the male population are unemployed and are not even looking for a job. We have unionized bureaucrats who get paid by the city long after they retire. Many “retired” bureaucrats go on take other government jobs. When city projects need to be outsourced they are often assigned to companies that pay union wages. Unions are bankrupting our cities, but that is a tale for another time.
Amongst the over-pensioned, overpaid, and unemployed I found a group of people who understand what it means to be fairly financially rewarded for hard work. These individuals do not feel entitled, they understand how lucky employed people are. The group of people I am talking about are the recovering addicts and alcoholics of the Open Doors program at Tuerk House.
Paul T. Mishuk the Manager of Social Enterprise for the Open Doors Program at Tuerkhouse Recovery Centers sent me the following descriptions of the program (I made one important line bold):
“Tuerkhouse’s Open Doors team is attempting to beautify Baltimore City’s buildings, streets, neighborhoods, and riverbeds to keep it cleaner and greener. Open Doors Clean Sweep services range from extensive clean up and removal of all debris(leaves, papers, trash) of parks, streets, alleys, or parking lots along, graffiti removal, all the way to standard lawn maintenance and plantings. It is so exciting is that we are running an operation promoting environmental consciousness and sustainability while helping Baltimore’s own become productive members of society and clean themselves. Our working policies and equipment consist of such things as eco-friendly Greensolve Graffiti remover, recycling, and composting. We are bettering the lives of these disenfranchised minorities suffering with the disease of addiction while taking action in keeping our neighborhoods cleaner and greener. We realize that the current economic conditions and budgetary restraints are a relevant factor in Annapolis… That is where I think our program can help. We want the opportunity to be considered for any neighborhood or highway clean-ups, facility cleaning, and street beautification projects. We will do the work for 55% of what it currently is costing, whether it be by State Workers or sub-contracted out. The electorate wants government more fiscally responsibility, we provide that. The electorate wants the environment cared for, we provide that. The electorate wants to stop the revolving door cycle of persons whom suffer from addiction which appears to be an costly endeavor, we provide that. Our services are a win-win. We are on the right side of all the important issues.
“And though no one can undo the past, we can balance the scales by doing good deeds and earning back their self-respect, decency, and a legitimate place in mainstream society. There is synergy of clean living and environmental consciousness, have united the Open Doors Team, igniting pride in oneself and the community. All work done by the Open Doors crew is done with the 4 “R’s” as a guiding principle: 1-Reduce, 2-ReUse, 3-Recycle, and 4-Recover. Today through the Open Doors Program, clients are re-entering the world of employment and normalcy to ensure the long-term success of their recovery.”
More:
“This is a program that is very multi-dimensional. First and foremost is helping a group of Baltimore men, who have been caught in a vicious loop of drug addiction and petty crime, to become employable assets and productive members of society. By accomplishing these things, we are hoping to break the cycle of relapse and recidivism, therefore,the cost and burden of these men on the courts, jails, or hospitals are lowered. Second, the Open Doors program teaches and promotes Green awareness and environmental consciousness. Open Doors is truly a win-win! The Open Doors Program is a true blessing for the city of Baltimore and it’s residents.”
I will leave you with this quote from one of my favorite blogs:
“At the same time we must fix the public employee entitlement mentality, by firing them and replacing them with unemployed Americans if necessary. We have 1 in 5 working-age men between 25 and 54 out of work – there is no shortage of available people to take these jobs.”
Adam is the most recognizable face of the recent resurgence in Reservoir Hill. He has appeared on many national and local radio shows, in several news publications, and at numerous events discussing his innovative urban redevelopment ideas and his unique lifestyle. Adam is a successful entrepreneur, community activist, and a local political guru who ran for city council in 2007. He is the founder and director of the TechBalt.com Buy a Block Project and BaltimoreHourly.com. His fearless local political commentary has rocked the local blog scene for most of this decade and he plans to take it to the next level in the next decade here on Charm City Current.