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The Birth of the Bucket When the Ready, Willing & Able program began in 1990, the bucket did not exist. All the work done by RWA trainees was in abandoned buildings, which they helped renovate through a contract with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. It wasn't until 1995, when a change in the City's housing policy cut The Doe Fund's contract by 60%, that the bucket was born. It was the brainchild of George McDonald, who refused to be daunted -- or to let down the formerly homeless men who were working so hard to rebuild their lives. "Here's
what we're going to do," he announced. "We're going to take our
last bit of money, we're going to buy really great uniforms and equipment,
and we're going to clean up East 86th Street. The community will see and
appreciate our efforts and support us."
Six years later, RWA trainees are pushing their buckets throughout Manhattan and the outer boroughs, in Jersey City, and soon, they will push on to Philadelphia. Just as George predicted, the community has responded. Every year, more than a million dollars pour in from grateful residents of the areas we clean. George McDonald is a visionary -- but one who did his research. Grand Central Terminal was the laboratory in which he devised the formula that could, in time, put an end to homelessness in America permanently. Twenty years ago, he left a lucrative business career and committed himself to that goal. He told himself, "If you do this, and stick to it and work as hard as you can everyday to do it, you will be successful." It is the same message he imparts to all who pass through his program. More than 1,000 formerly homeless people have heeded it, which means, today, they are drug-free, employed and independently housed. Their success is George's. |
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