On Feb. 12, 2018, The CEIC and Central City Concern’s (CCC) Clean Start officially launched a program in the entire Central Eastside to clean up litter, remove needles and work with homeless people living outdoors to help them keep their area clean.
“This program is a great example of public, private and non-profit sector partners providing people employment and job training opportunities while improving community livability,” says Mayor Wheeler.
The collaboration of CCC Clean Start, CEIC, Portland Bureau of Transportation and the City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement represents a new version of downtown Clean & Safe for the Eastside.
“Our crews visit homeless campsites to provide trash removal and anything else we can do to keep the neighborhood clean. Most of the CCC Clean Start workers have experienced homelessness themselves, so they can relate to the people we’re helping,” says Jay McIntyre, CCC’s Clean Start Business Director.
The program provides a six-month training program for formerly homeless people re-entering the workforce. During their six-month work experience, CCC Clean Start and Clean & Safe trainees receive one-on-one assistance in finding a permanent, full-time job at CCC’s Employment Access Center. In 2017, Portland CCC Clean Start crews removed 92,417 bags of trash and 44,664 needles citywide.
Watch KPTV’s special report on the Central Eastside’s CCC Clean Start Program here
Central Eastside businesses and residents can access their services directly through email at cleanstartceid@ccconcern.org Please include description and location. Photos are gladly accepted. Services provided M-F, 8am to 4:30pm.
Services Clean Start employees provide:
-Remove trash left behind from abandoned camps
-Make contact with active camps, remove garbage and offer them garbage bags
-Removal of needles
-Human Waste Cleanup
-Remove illegally dumped items
Services they don’t provide:
-Make campers move or leave
-Remove campers property
-Do any cleanups on ODOT property
To report campsites/trouble areas to the City: you may report online at www.portlandoregon.gov/campsites or by phone at (503) 823-4000