Street Smart: Key Team Members

Written By Chad McComas

When building a team for a homeless program it is vital to select employees who are street smart.

These are the people who have been homeless, had addictions, been on the wrong side of the law, yet have been pulled out of the well of homelessness, restored their lives and have a passion to help the next person who is in the same situation as they were.

These staff members are compassionate and passionate about the work they get to do. They will work hard and long for the people the homeless program serves. They are hungry to learn how to be a good worker, listener and encourager.

They may not have an academic degree, but their street smart experience is worth so much. 

A great way to build a strong staff is to rise up workers from the people the program serves. As leaders identify “stars” graduating from the program they can be hired to inspire others coming through the program. 

Chad McComas

Chad McComas is the founder of Rogue Retreat which created a homeless program with multiple levels taking people off the streets and empowering them to become self-sufficient. At its height, Rogue Retreat was providing housing for over 500 individuals a night. Rogue Retreat’s secret sauce was a five-level coaching program that led participants from being in crisis to thriving. Rogue Retreat’s success attracted leaders from communities, counties, universities, and States to come to visit. Chad also founded Set Free Ministries which has become one of Medford’s largest community services program that serves hundreds of homeless and working poor individuals each week with food boxes, hot meals, clothing, showers, laundry, and more.

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