Ready to Work
Contact
Services and Referrals
Bridge House Ready to Work
info@boulderbridgehouse.org
720.325.7431
Partnership Inquiries
Rachel Jakubowski
rjakubowski@adamscountyco.gov
720.523.6954
Program Purpose
People experiencing homelessness in Adams County face major barriers to employment, including limited job readiness, healthcare access, and supportive systems. Rising living costs intensify these challenges, making it difficult to achieve stability without targeted wraparound support.
The Bridge House, Ready to Work – Work Crew program addresses these barriers by combining paid transitional employment with structured supervision and case management. Participants gain income, stability, and work experience while county departments receive much-needed operational support.
Program Overview
In partnership with Public Works; Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts (POSCA); Riverdale Animal Shelter; and Community Safety and Well-Being, the Ready to Work crews provide hands-on work opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.
- Crew Structure: Up to five workers and one supervisor per crew.
- Work Contributions: Crews focus on public service tasks such as road, sidewalk, and alley cleanups; park and open space event preparation and teardown; and animal shelter daily operations assistance.
- Recent Expansion: Due to high demand, a second crew launched in July 2025, expanding capacity to support departments five days per week.
Eligibility Criteria
- Participants must be experiencing homelessness.
- Participants are expected to engage reliably, follow supervisor guidance, and commit to building job readiness skills.
Partner Referral Process
Who Can Refer: County staff, navigators, and community partners
working with residents experiencing homelessness.
Referral Process: Bridge House Ready to Work screens eligible
individuals, connects them with supports, and matches to crew assignments when ready.
Self-Referrals: Allowed, if participants meet criteria and openings
are available.
Outcomes and Community Impact
As of August 2025, Ready to Work crews have delivered 6,528 hours of service, distributed as follows:
- Riverdale Animal Shelter: 2,892 hours—daily operations including cleaning kennels, sorting donations, and, most recently, getting trained to interact with the animals.
- POSCA: 1,578 hours—event preparation, setup, and teardown, plus grounds support.
- Public Works: 2,058 hours—trash pickup and cleanup of roads, sidewalks, and alleys.
Impact Highlights
- Provided steady, transitional employment for participants experiencing homelessness.
- Relieved strain on county departments by filling operational gaps.
- Expanded animal shelter support.
- Service Value: For every $1 invested, the program provides approximately $1.22 in services to Adams County.