Photo by cottonbro studio
More than 600 participants trained in 15 years, with 90 percent securing employment within two months of training.
Detroit, Mich. (December 15, 2025) – A paid janitorial training program for metro Detroiters with disabilities and other barriers to employment, operated by Gesher Human Services one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, has now trained over 600 participants in the 15 years it has been operating. The agency has found that 90 percent of individuals secure employment within two months of completing their eight weeks of training, which is held at its Detroit facility (4250 Woodward Avenue). Participants gain skills and independence and once their training is finished, they are awarded a certificate of completion, with creditable and relevant experience to add to their resume. They can then work part-time or full-time in a variety of facilities, frequently through Gesher’s AbilityOne contract with the US Government, an initiative which creates jobs for people with disabilities allowing them to work in federal agencies such as government buildings. Workers employed through AbilityOne earn $17 an hour plus benefits. Other places of work include hospitals, retail outlets, sports areas, offices and apartment buildings where pay varies from $14 to $17 an hour. To qualify for a referral to the program, participants need to have an open case with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) or the Veterans Administration (VA). For images click here.
“The feedback we get from our community partners is that the skills go beyond janitorial. Our participants leave with the soft skills necessary to be successful, and they understand the importance of meeting employer expectations,” explained Tara Forster, manager of Rehabilitation Services at Gesher Human Services.
Ken Alexander, Janitorial Services Manager,
shared his experience hiring two recent graduates of the program who have successfully obtained local employment at a fair wage. “Although each janitorial site/building is operated differently and come with their own idiosyncrasies, both graduates quickly adapted to their new work environment and put their skills to work,” he explained. Alexander himself is a previous graduate of the program who has progressed professionally and is now managing the Janitorial Contractual Services department at Gesher Human Services.
The program runs five days a week. Participants are provided with hands-on exposure, education, and training in the following areas:
| Janitorial Basics:
· Cart Set-Up · Stocking Supplies · Route Management · Time Management · Workplace Engagement |
Safety and Chemicals:
· Use of Cleaning Chemicals · Sanitation Standards · Proper Chemical Mixtures · Propper PPE Use · Accidents and Spills prevention |
Basic Cleaning Methods
· Trash Removal · Dusting · Disinfecting Surfaces and Touch Points · Cleaning Glass Windows |
| Floor Maintenance
· Sweeping · Vacuuming · Damp Mopping · Dust Mopping · Wet Mopping |
Restroom Cleaning
· Fixtures · Sinks · Mirrors · Walls and Partitions · Toilets and Urinals |
Advanced Floor Maintenance:
· Education on Stripping and Buffing Pads · Floor Scrubbing · Floor Stripping · Floor Waxing · Floor Buffing
|
| Carpet Cleaning:
· Spot Cleaning Carpets · Deep Carpet Cleaning · Rug Cleaning
|
Deep Cleaning:
· Deep Office Cleaning Methods · Deep Restroom Cleaning Methods · Wall Cleaning |
Orlandis Green, 20, of Detroit, said he enjoyed being a part of the program, and was trained in skills he didn’t know he was “capable of doing.” Green found a stable job he enjoys and is close to celebrating his one-year anniversary.
Another participant Donte Gardner, 44, from Detroit, has been employed for 3 months, enjoying his new janitorial job. He thanks the JTP program for helping him obtain a stable job; “I am finally able to save for my own car,” he shared.
If a qualified applicant does not have an open case with MRS or VA but would like to be considered for this training program, Gesher Human Services can guide them. Contact Tara Forster at tforster@geshermi.org. Metro Detroit businesses interested in employing trained janitors can also use this email for more information.
About Gesher Human Services
Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home, and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming, and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community. The organization works with job seekers, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and the broader community to provide the skills, support, and equitable opportunities necessary for people to succeed. Gesher draws on over 110 years of combined experience to facilitate equitable employment opportunities and enhance mental health outcomes for Metro Detroiters. With a network of almost 500 employees and volunteers across more than 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of nearly 34,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.