The Clean Team Workforce congratulates its Employee of the Month for January,
Michael P.
Michael rented a room in a recovery house and supported himself by working at a local grocery store.
He turned his life of addiction around, but a serious illness caused him to be evicted from his room. The
medication Michael was taking for his condition drained his body of vital vitamins and made him feel
sicker than the illness itself. After months of living in pain and a weakened condition, he fell into a state
of depression and ended up having to quit his job and live on his savings. With rest, Michael slowly
began to feel better, but he was unable to catch up on back rent payments.
Immediately after being evicted, Michael contacted a trusted friend to take care of his cat. Then he
went to the Allentown Rescue Mission for help. Michael had never been homeless before and didn’t
want to remain homeless. He knew he needed more help than just food and shelter, so he joined the
Mission’s eight-week Transformation Program to explore Christianity and participate in life skills classes.
Still depressed and heartbroken from being separated from his pet, Michael remained quiet and
somewhat withdrawn in class. Soon, however, he began to feel better about himself and his future. He
made new friends and received the support he needed from Mission staff members. Over the course of
the eight weeks, Michael regained hope in his life and his depression lifted.
Michael graduated from the Transformation Program in September 2025 and has been working for the
Clean Team Workforce since. He is a hard worker, easy to get along with, and a role model for other
men working for the Clean Team Workforce. He enjoys performing a variety of jobs and especially
enjoys a challenge. “I like the feeling of accomplishment after getting a tough job finished,” Michael
stated.
Today, Michael is mentally and physically healthy and plans to find a permanent job in the community
and a place of his own to live. He can’t wait to live independently and be reunited with his beloved cat,
Jellybean.