As discussions about safety and livability in downtown Salem ramp up, local homeless service provider Church at the Park sees an opportunity to help its clients build their resumes and make connections in the community.

The organization’s leaders have pitched a new program to the city, called Clean Start, which would hire homeless people part-time to clean up litter in public spaces, including the downtown core.

They first submitted the idea to the city of Salem around 2022, said DJ Vincent, the organization’s founding pastor, which he said the city ultimately didn’t pursue. They decided to suggest it again at the July 21 city council work session , where councilors considered ways to address complaints from downtown business owners about safety and livability issues.

“We have been si

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