GEAR (Get Employment and Recycle) provides job training and employment for homeless men and women who lack a work history and need job readiness skill building, structured and supervised employment, and different levels of responsibility in order to obtain competitive employment. 

The program is based out of a second-hand retail store where homeless individuals participate in all aspects of the retail operation, from picking up donations, sorting clothes, to inventory, sales, and cashier. 

Program participants also interface with customers by performing “small jobs” such as snow removal, lawn mowing, and packing and moving. Through their supervised employment experience, homeless clients obtain necessary entry level job skills; experience promotion from one job to another, with associated pay increases; build a sense of competence and self-sufficiency; develop a basic work ethic; and obtain a job reference for future employment upon graduation.

Contact the GEAR Program
160 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 591-1900