Sometimes in our editorializing we promote a public program we really hope will succeed while secretly worrying about its chances.

Such was the case more than a year ago with a plan from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock to offer homeless folks chances for day work. When it comes to finding helpful solutions for this community, challenges beyond anyone’s control abound.

“What a refreshing idea to help tackle Denver’s homeless problem: Provide jobs with decent wages to those willing and able to work,” we wrote back then.

Happily, it turns out that the mayor’s refreshing idea is doing some good. As The Denver Post’s Jon Murray reported this week, in its first year the Denver Day Works program employed 284 people for at least one day, with all but 10 continuing work for longer periods.

In fact, 110 of the participants found full-time work, the great bulk of them with outside employers.

Read more at denverpost.com.