Program celebrates six years of success and measurable impact
This month marks six years since the launch of the Pocono Community Caring Company, or Pocono 3C, which has made a significant impact on the Pocono Mountains—beyond the sheer volume of litter removed from the region’s picturesque landscape.In fact, 22 individuals have secured both housing and employment through the program, which provides no-barrier employment with same-day pay—putting Street2Feet clients to work while offering case management and support to help them get back on their feet.
MORE: Pocono 3C Media Event – Previously Recorded on Pocono Television Network
Pocono 3C participants spend several days a week removing litter from area roadways. More than strong>26,000 bags of litter have been collected from over 1,300 miles of Pocono roads since 2019. The program is a collaboration between RHD Street2Feet, The Waste Authority and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.
Of the 22 individuals who have been able to obtain housing and employment with the help of Pocono 3C, strong>Elisha Spencer is now employed at The Waste Authority after working his way through the program. “It feels pretty good. I remember where I came from, and no one would give me a chance. But, you know, the people at 3C and the people at the Municipal Waste Authority—they gave me a chance,” said Spencer. “And like I said, I'm not going to fail because that's just my ethic. And I'm very grateful.”
Spencer joined representatives from the three organizations, dignitaries, and Pocono 3C members at the Military Road Recycling Facility, operated by The Waste Authority, to mark six years of Pocono 3C. Launched in June 2019, the program is designed to give individuals who are homeless—or at risk of becoming homeless—a job and access to casework to help them regain stability.
These individuals often face significant barriers to employment, such as lacking an ID or address, not having a bank account, or having a minor criminal record. To help them overcome these challenges, Pocono 3C offers paid work picking up litter in Monroe County. This not only provides participants with $100 in income at the end of each workday, but also gives them valuable work experience and résumé references. In addition to employment, participants receive lunch on workdays and access to ongoing case management.
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