Homeless not jobless. This is the credo that many of the residents of the Coalition of Service and Charity (COSAC) homeless shelter live by — one that founder/director Sean Cononie helps promote by hiring his residents as staff members.

"There’s no one better to work here than someone who knows how [the homeless] feel," Cononie says.

There are many jobs available to residents of the COSAC shelter. Vincent Macrina, who lost his job as a mechanic in New Jersey five years ago, works as the kitchen manager of the shelter’s cafeteria.

Patrick Cooper, who lost his job as a professional cook making $35,000 a year, is now head of COSAC’s security staff. A Tennessee native and homeless for 23 years, he works 14-hour shifts from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Several of COSAC’s residents also work outside the shelter as collectors or street vendors in Hollywood. Rachael Robles, from Bradenton, Fla., works as a vendor to raise donations for the shelter.

"I make $45 to $50 a day," she says.

Mark Targett, co-director of COSAC and the editor of the Homeless Voice, believes that the vending effort is a successful venture.

One resident of COSAC holds clearance signs up on the street for stores going out of business. At the same time, he holds six years of college under his belt along with two degrees, a captain’s license and a pilot’s license.

COSAC’s clients often try to find work that benefits the community. Rick Masa volunteers for the South Florida Water Management District four or five times a year.

"I take tires out of [the water], rake weeds out and take cups, wrappers and bottles out. I clean it up," he says.

Of course, like any hard-working stiffs after a long work week, COSAC’s working residents like to take time for leisure. Gary Harrison, a street vendor, enjoys going out on the town.

"On days off, I like to go to the nightclubs. You know, watch a show," Harrison says.