Here’s my blog detailing Tuesday’s events...
It was our second day on the Social Renewal programme. Today we had a presentation from one of the board of Directors, Jerry. Jerry is a resident and a Delancey Street graduate, who developed his skills through the programme and is currently the head of finance. Jerry is responsible for the finances of all Delancey Street sites and has an estimated budget responsibility of approx $46 million p.a.  He has been at the Delancey Street for approx 35 years and has committed his life to the project and his role within it. This was like so many stories that we have heard over the past couple of days leaving us inspired, confident and curious, what really makes this model so successful that people sign up for two years and stay for the rest of their life?

Today we also had a tour of all the businesses (social enterprises) and spoke to all the residents in charge of each area such as the Cafe, Bookshop, Motor vehicle workshop and body shop etc. Each resident who performs a management role has also spent at least ten years within the programme and subsequently oversees a large workforce and business!! After the tour we got to spend more time in selected social enterprises, we were given the moving company and restaurant. We spoke with the residents and saw them in action. We were astounded by the passion, professionalism and team work that went in to making each of these businesses, models of best practice. An example of their success is the removal company, which is now the most successful removal company across California with 50 lorries based in San Francisco alone.

It also saddens me (and Keith even more!) to say that up to now the food in San Francisco has been awful. Today we got the opportunity to eat within the restaurant and this was by far the best meal we have had, the service was impeccable and it has inspired even more my dreams of the 2nd Chance restaurant!!

The final part of the day focussed on interviewing and selection of residents. We had role plays and presentations from some of the interviewers. Delancey Street attend prisons across California to interview in custody as well as conduct daily interviews for those that walk in off the street. Their selection process is tough and consists of two interviews. The second is conducted by three residents, each trained to conduct themselves effectively so that they can obtain all the relevant information through at times, a hostile and emotional interview. Each interviewer has gone through the system themselves and has worked their way up within Delancey Street and become at least a tribe leader/ barber (Management tier). The biggest benefit of this model is that each interviewer has been through the entire process and has their own story about finding rock bottom and how Delancey Street has turned that around.

Off now for a shift in the cafe!!

James