Homelessness and Ready to Work Boulder

Ready to Work Boulder 

Homelessness in the United States

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness.

Chronic mental illness is one of the four main sub-types of homeless persons; the others being the street people, chronic alcoholics, and those distressed.

In a study in Western societies, homeless people have a higher prevalence of mental illness when compared to the general population.

It is estimated that 20-25% of homeless people, compared with 6% of the non-homeless, have severe mental illness.

Those with mental illness or substance abuse problems were found to be incarcerated at a higher frequency than the general population.

The Ready to Work House & Employment Center was opened by the Bridge House in 2015 and serves the working poor and those homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at at 4747 Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, Colorado and those interested in becoming resident of Ready to Work Boulder don't need to be a resident of Boulder.

The Ready to Work house & employment center for the homeless in Boulder

1. Ready to Work Boulder was purchased and renovated by Bridge House, this new community will house 48 individuals working in the Ready to Work program, providing housing and employment services to 38 men and 10 women.

2. Ready to Work is Bridge House's employment program that provides paid jobs, vocational training and support services to individuals re-entering the workforce and stable housing.

3. Ready to Work is recognized as a best practice nationally and locally.

4. Ready to Work operates two businesses - exterior maintenance and food service.

5. Individuals live at Ready to Work House for about one year and will be working, participating in case management, financial management and vocational development as a condition of residency.

6. Residents are screened, selected based on eligibility for Ready to Work and participating in program services prior to residency.

7. All residents of 4747 Table Mesa are provided paid work for up to 29 hours per week, attend classes, pay room and board, and participate in maintaining the building.