I heard NYC had a program where they taught homeless people how to do landscaping and gardening. Several them got jobs, and I think one started his own business.
I don’t know about teaching them, but NYC has a workfare program that is partially supported by local merchant associations.
I personally know one guy who went on workfare in a city government office — got off welfare, went back to school for GED and BA — and now makes close to a hundred thousand in private industry.
Work would solve many, many of our social problems.