For Goodness Sake: City Bright Philly helps the city's homeless

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - If you've lived in Philadelphia for more than a minute then you know that there is an unacceptably large homeless population.

FOX 29's Bill Anderson spoke with four women, Mary, Joanne, Tracy and Cynthia who either have previously or are currently battling homelessness and living at the Gaudenzia house shelter. The reasons vary but most with any level of empathy would like to see them with better options. Adam Kesselman is one of those people and created City Bright Philadelphia to help.

Adam knows he can't solve the homeless issue but as the women left Gaudenzia house shelter to clean up West Philadelphia he made it clear that he also believes everyone can make a difference for at least some.

"It's a simple concept, we pay the homeless to clean the streets and we do it in a place where the homeless shelters are so they're giving back to the community and feel like they're contributing," said Kessleman.

The debate is ongoing about fault and responsibility. Is it a government problem to solve, is the responsibility solely on the homeless to get themselves back on their feet?

"I don't want to forget about all of the great things that Governments are doing and the barriers they face but at the end of the day our concept is simple and sometimes simple things work," said Kessleman.

City Bright Philly started out of Adam's pocket and is now raising funds to do as many clean ups as they can. Neighborhoods are cleaned and the homeless get income and a sense of value. It's a chance to make money and remind people that homeless is their status but it is not who they are.

"A lot of people have judged me but I'm a very good hearted person I try to help as much as I can wherever I can. I'm striving to do my best," said Tracy, a woman who lives at the Gaudenzia house shelter.

"This is not rocket science. It's just a simple idea and if you have passion around something do it," added Kessleman.

For Goodness Sake.