Wreath Sales Aid Homeless

Shoppers infused with the holiday spirit of giving can help battle homelessness by purchasing fresh wreaths made and marketed by the local homeless and poor.

The Wreath Project, a self-employment program for people who are homeless, poor or mentally or physically ill, has set up shop outside Au Bon Pain.

"This project came about because I was looking for something to supplement my income and a way that the homeless could earn good money and get off the streets," said Michael E. Brennan, who runs the project.

Brennan, who was homeless for six months in 1990 after a 10 year battle with substance abuse, started the project last year with eight employees. This year, a new crew of nine has signed on to sell the wreaths, which cost $20.

The Wreath Project has stands in four other locations, including one at Wordsworth Abridged bookstore on Brattle Street.

Brennan said he wanted to provide an opportunity for the needy to boost their incomes. Last year, the project--which raised $5,000--was able to pay all of its employees $7 an hour, he said.

"It's going to bring us out of the homeless ranks," said Richard Chiappone, a current employee of the program.

Brennan said he feels the money the project raises can make a critical difference because when he was homeless he was unable to save enough money from working at minimum wage jobs to get off the streets.

It was not until he sold a story he wrote about his experiences to The Boston Phoenix for $1,000 that he could afford an apartment.

Brennan said that another important result of the project is to empower people by giving them "a sense of accomplishment."

Brennan said he chooses his local staff on the basis of "hardship, willingness to work and attitude," and with intent to keep the staff demographically diverse.

This year, 20 percent of the profits will be donated to Bread & Jams, Inc. and Solutions, Inc., two local organizations devoted to helping the area homeless and poor, Brennan said.

Many members of the Harvard community have been supportive of the project, Brennan said.

"Harvard Real Estate has been really helpful in letting us use this space and ordering a number of wreaths from us and getting the word out," Brennan said.

The project will continue selling the wreaths until December 24. The Au Bon Pain stand is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.