Pizza Fusion In Denver Hires Former Homeless Alcohol Abusers, Seeks Liquor License (VIDEO)

The owner describes it as a family-friendly place, but others are worried about a new restaurant that employs formerly homeless people to serve alcohol.

John Parvensky, president of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, has applied for a liquor license at Pizza Fusion, the restaurant he operates, KDVR reports. The pizza joint employs 23 formerly homeless people -- some of whom are in recovery for alcohol addiction.

When asked if it was a good match, he told KDVR:

"Totally, that's part of the recovery process."

About $8,000 of the Coalition for the Homeless' funding comes from tax dollars, and Parvensky says he's using it responsibly. But Amber Lyman, who manages a bar across the street, disagrees and tells KDVR she's concerned:

"It doesn't go back to why you were originally trying to help these people. Now you're trying to make money off it, and that it's just not right."

WATCH:

 

What's your stance on the restaurant's liquor license application? Weigh in below.

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Should Pizza Fusion receive its liquor license?

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Comments

[HousetheHomeless]

01:53 PM on 05/23/2011

Pizza Fusion hires homeless alcohol abusers to serve beer and pizza. We say, good for the Denver Coalition for the Homeless and good for these workers trying to reclaim their sobriety! As President John Parvensky says, "The confrontation between the recovering alcoholic and alcohol that is everywhere in our society, is part of the recovery process.

The greater pitfall may well be reliance on an $8.00/hour base wage. Reportedly, this is only bolstered to $10.25 per hour by dividing tips in a city where by the calculations of House the Homeless, Inc., it requires no less than $12.21/hour to maintain an efficiency apartment over the long haul. How sad would it be to have come so far, defeated so many demons, climbed so many barriers only to fall into economic despair. It is time for living wage jobs across America.

Richard R. Troxell

www.HousetheHomeless.org

Author: Looking Up at the Bottom Line

[Cindy Fridley]

01:58 PM on 05/22/2011

The Poverty Pimp's 24/7 12-Step religious cult Drug & Alcohol Witch Hunts is the NUMBER ONE reason for the horrifying homeless disaster in the USA!

[roydoe]

10:21 AM on 05/19/2011

Would Sir care for some Thunderbird '08 with his appetizer?

[Kelli DOA]

03:05 AM on 05/18/2011

the conflict in this case- is the tax payer money being used to help the homeless, (which some are homeless due to alcoholism) offering them a job but attaching the smell of alcohol to it. Which for some, will be too much and might even kill them.

I disagree with John Parvensky's statement re: part of the recovery process. I might agree if these people had multiple years of sobriety- but they do not. It would be no different than hiring the homeless junkies to pass out the daily dose at the local methadone clinic. It's just a bad idea- especially when using state funding.

it's sad in the United States of Addiction, that people cant fathom an eatery without alcohol.

[Jeannine Goren]

12:12 AM on 05/18/2011

I was in there the other day, and it was awesome... great service and food. I think its likely that those who repeatedly relapse will be unfit for employment and will weed themselves out natuarally from the restaurant's employee pool, but they would have likely relapsed anyhow if that is where they are in thier recovery. This is a great chance for most, you could see the pride on their faces.

[Diasamax]

10:32 AM on 05/17/2011

People really need to learn how to stop being such hypocrites. The only way a person can get back on their feet and become a productive member of society is by having been given the opportunity to do so. People will sit back and say a person who is homeless is lazy and make something of themselves, yet when someone is willing to take a chance on them, to get their lives together, will sit back and say they are not comfortable about how it is being done.

Easy solution, if you are not comfortable because you think the world should revolve around you......don't go to the restaurant and be quiet!

[lakbfcher]

11:51 AM on 05/17/2011

I agree, except I think that if you are not comfortable with what's going on there at Pizza Fusion then I would encourage you to keep going back and see the progress that is really being made...don't critisize without doing the research! Most Homeless People had lives before becoming homeless and a good portion of them were never addicts. Homeless people, addicts or not, need to find a way to re-enter ino the community and lead normal lives. Would you begrudge them that opportunity???
I am 11 yrs clean and sober and I also have family members that like to drink!...Do you suggest I never re-unite because I have a history of alchoholism and addiction?...Wake up!...I think that by working in a supportive environment these people would have a much better chance of succeeding. Some people probably could not do this but if they're never given that choice to try they won't know! Until Alchohol goes away...(yeah right)...it will always be in our face.
Finding normal is what this is about, not competition!!!...Besides...How many businesses do you know of that will hire the homeless or the addict and give them a chance at normal???

[Diasamax]

09:05 AM on 05/18/2011

I wish you many more years of sobriety, that makes my heart smile. I understand how hard it is because by uncle lost his battle (battled over 30 years) and actually had a heart attack while in a treatment facility.

[cherieamour]

06:12 PM on 05/17/2011

...well stated, Diasamax...

...it's like this country wants those in need to stay in need so folks can have a punching bag to take their frustrations out on...people want to work and be self-sufficient, but that cannot happen if they are met at least halfway...

[carmenalex]

02:25 PM on 05/16/2011

Its funny how some people hate the homeless but subscribe to politics that would only make more of them.

[cchfan]

01:48 PM on 05/16/2011

First of all I would like to say that this article is appalling. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has been doing good works for over 25 years. Pizza Fusion is a creative venture designed to give people a chance at learning a skill that they can take on to further employment elsewhere. The business profits will support the job training efforts of the Coalition. I have had the pleasure of dining in this restaurant and the attitude and work ethic of the employees is amazing. I wish more restaurants employed formerly homeless individuals The only thing missing from my dining experience was a nice glass of wine and hopefully that will come soon.

[aquarius2]

07:47 PM on 05/17/2011

Thank you for your explanation of how this operates. Maybe it is just me but I couldn't quite figure out the connection between the Coalition and Pizza Fusion. Sounds like a good program.

[patman77]

01:46 PM on 05/16/2011

there are more alcohol dependent folks with homes than without. scapegoat the poor much ?

[meeks]

12:44 PM on 05/17/2011

you are so right, patman!!! Talk about stereotyping them.

[hairydodger]

11:21 PM on 05/15/2011

Do it. Homelessness can mean a lot of things. Judgmental people see it one way and homeless and used to be homeless people see it another. My guess is that we'll see another million people become homeless by 2014.

[signgrrl]

02:38 PM on 05/16/2011

easily. if not more.

[mkspalace]

09:30 PM on 05/15/2011

It's obvious customers are aware of the situation, and probably go there in support of the efforts! One second people say that alcoholics or other addicts need to change and ranting about tax dollars spent on these things. I thing a safe haven is what these people need, a place to start with tender leadership. Its like applying for a job and you have no experience so no one will give you a chance. You could have a degree and still because you have no job time, you get over looked. Most places will see an alcoholic and Never consider hiring, Pizza Fusion gives these people a reference.
Lets embrace the people willing to devote their life to helping those who need it most. I'm inspired

[cinemaven]

06:48 PM on 05/15/2011

I'm a longtime volunteer at both our foodbank and shelter teaching office skills and helping with resumes. I've met some of the most amazing people who are just one small step away from making it or being broken. Programs that help them into a job, which leads to a room and food and a life are truly lifelines and many of them are given in concert with treatment and counseling so what this business own is doing is a true saving grace.

$8,000 dollars is a tiny amount compared with what he's investing... the training and trust he has to give to his staff and the hope that people will be comfortable using his business. He should be commended.

[xlntcat]

06:26 PM on 05/15/2011

Hanging out in a bar is hardly part of the recovery process.

[Rapj53]

07:00 PM on 05/15/2011

It is not a bar, it is an organic pizza restaurant that will also serve organic wine and beer. The employees are not "hanging out", they are working. Only a portion of homeless persons have addictions problems. Those working there who do are in a supportive environment.

[patman77]

06:03 PM on 05/15/2011

soooo..the woman who owns the bar accross the street is concerned about someones recovery ?

[thepoliticalcat]

11:46 PM on 05/15/2011

The woman who owns the bar across the street has probably met a fair number of alcoholics. If there's one thing you learn from hanging with the addicted, it's that recovery is a long, slow, painful process that can be derailed very easily. I commend the guy for doing what he's doing to help, but seriously -- ex-alcoholics shouldn't be anywhere near alcohol. If you're not an addict, you won't know what I'm talking about. If you are, then you know when the beast seizes you, sometimes there's no fighting back.

[IfIonlyknew]

03:14 PM on 05/16/2011

That's the plain and simple truth you speak.

[Theatrixnyc]

04:45 PM on 05/16/2011

You can't sit in a meeting, 24/7, at some point you have to begin to trust yourself, and what better way to do it, than in a supportive environment, where everyone's goal is the same goal as yours; To help you grow, and stay connected to support. Let's check the lady's resume for charity, from across the street...either that, or she can try to work with her neighbors. Heh-heh, concern from a bar owner about the alcoholics working at another bar. ROFL....I mean, really.

[TonyDu]

02:47 PM on 05/15/2011

The town where I live has had two local businesses that were set up to hire "at risk" people. (a coffee shop and an ice cream parlor)

As a customer, the conversation I overheard between employees reminded me of the Jerry Springer show -- but now I was part of the live audience. And the clientele seemed to gradually evolve into people of a similar disposition.

Personally, I'm neither for nor against this type of business since I can just go somewhere else. But I do know that the ones in my town didn't work.

[patman77]

06:03 PM on 05/15/2011

a wee bit judgemental are we ?