Dublin Simon is hoping to expand its work experience programme for homeless people. It wants more employers in the private sector to consider hiring its trainees.
In its warehouse in Chapelizod, Ken works sorting through donated clothes that will go to the charity's two shops.
He was in addiction for 20 years and homeless for ten years.
Ken believes that getting into a routine and the experience of working with others will help him back into the mainstream workforce.
He also runs 'Secret Street Tours' which shows groups around another side of Dublin - the methadone clinics and rough sleeper areas.
Sharon Keogh Senior Manager, Client Development, Employability & Enterprise Programmes for Dublin Simon, said that a lot of the training involves developing 'soft skills'.
"The clients can often do the work but it is things like timekeeping and workplace etiquette that we need to work with them. Little things that most of us take for granted."
Dublin Simon has brought 65 people through its Community Employment Scheme with five of them having full time jobs with the charity and seven going on to work in the private sector.
Ana Martinez, who is originally from Mexico, is now employed as a care worker after being in emergency accommodation for three years.
She became homeless after having to leave an unregulated job because of the conditions and without employment status.
Ana, who has a son living in Ireland, worked for an agency filling in for workers in care homes all over Ireland during the pandemic.
She said she was proud to be able to give something back to the community as well as set a good example to her son.
Dublin Simon is hoping that the current labour shortage will help to encourage employers to think of hiring people from their schemes.
