Tampa Charity Takes Homeless Men's Wages

The New Beginnings charity has been sending homeless, destitute men to work Tampa Bay professional sports events and not letting them keep their wages. New Beginnings sends residents to work Tampa Bay Rays, Lightening, and Buccaneer games and uses them as a revenue source. In exchange, they provide food and shelter for the men. However, homeless advocates say New Beginnings' so-called “work therapy” program may be illegal and an abuse of the public funds it receives. Residents at New Beginnings also say the charity takes their Social Security checks and food stamps, “even if they amounted to more than residents owed in program costs,” said the Tampa Bay Times.