One goal of my sabbatical was to learn about Social Enterprise and see how non-profits are bringing together the world of profitable business and social service.
Homeboy Industries operates a bakery, a silk-screen shop, a small merchandise store and a café (Homegirl Café, which is excellent by the way). Chrysalis supplements the city of Los Angeles’ sanitation services through a street sweeping contract paid by the local Business Improvement District. Similarly, Central City Concern in Portland employs people in a program called “Clean and Safe” through which an entity similar to a Chamber of Commerce contracts with them to clean bus stops, remove graffiti and keep their downtown streets clean (more about Portland later). These nonprofits run these businesses with unique employees, who have unique barriers.
I’m beginning to get a theme in Social Enterprise. Human Service workers might refer to it as “reverse skimming”. Taking those least likely to succeed on their own, or as Fr. Boyle says the “not quite ready for prime-time” players, and hire them. Quickly. Then be prepared to give them lots of second chances. People straight out of prison after serving long sentences or sentences for violent or particularly socially egregious crimes, or the individuals who have never had a job in their life - are the first ones that are hired directly into these jobs with the hopes that after six months or so, individuals will have the background, confidence and desire to secure a mainstream job. Maybe it’s like “Housing First” but with an employment focus…..I’d love to hear from you all on this one.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Duty to Delight
Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries shares in his book “Tattoos on the Heart” his belief in a God who loves without measure and without regret. Fr. Greg sets the context that Homeboy Industries’ core endeavor seeks to imitate “the kind of God one ought to believe in.”
Nina and I visited Homeboy Industries, an organization that provides employment and supportive services to individuals desiring to leave gang life. As we walked up to the building in downtown Los Angeles, a casually dressed, clean-cut young man with tattoos on his face and neck approached and greeted us. His welcoming demeanor was immediately reassuring. We asked if he worked there and he wittingly replied that he was “homeland security”. He opened the door and motioned us in towards the front desk, where we were greeted with eye contact, warm smiles and an obvious desire to include us in what was going on there. These young men and women had not only learned customer service skills, they were ambassadors for a place they were clearly proud of and proud to be a part of. Everyone seemed to know the drill: Someone is here, embrace them, welcome them, connect them to where they need to be. Brian, one of the Homeboys, graciously provided us a tour of the facility. Homeboy Industries provides a long list of supportive services – job development, tattoo removal, counseling, legal aid, parenting workshops, computer classes, etc. But those critical and effective services don’t seem to be the “crux” of it. What does seem to be the key is the environment of respect, hospitality, acceptance, love, and dignity, and a funny feeling you are standing on holy ground. There is no formal registration process at Homeboy. No screening. You walk in and are surrounded informally with everything you need, even when you don’t know what you need or why you are there. Brian, perhaps without realizing, reminded us of some basic life truths. People are vulnerable. Everyone has a heart. We mess up sometimes. As he described his own past of family dynamics, gang involvement and his journey out, he said “I knew right from wrong, but I wasn’t used to it”. Brian shared: “…I would try here and there. I don’t even know what I came here for. I was on day two of being out [of jail] and I came because I wanted to get my tattoos removed…” Almost right away, Fr. Greg offered him a job. Brian is taking it one day at a time, and is clearly passionate about the new possibilities he understands and enjoys. He’ll keep working at Homeboy for now to continue to accomplish among other things, making his mother proud. I don't about Nina but I don't remember much detail after that.
Don’t get me wrong, Homeboy Industries is not Disneyland, although the immediate relief of apprehension and anxiety I felt when I entered the front door made me appreciate it as if it were. We’re all trained to put our best foot forward when touring or hosting guests. During our tour we picked up on body language, eye movement and very few words of Fr. Greg that instructed one of the Homeboys to check the status of a hooded young man who entered the lobby. “Find out if the climate has changed out there” was his casual instruction. Reality check: Homeboy Industries helps gang members. Under Fr. Greg’s leadership, they work to dispel the myth that one life could possibly be worth less than another. Homeboy Industries challenges their community to consider “What if we were to invest in gang members, rather than just seek to incarcerate our way out of this problem?”
We had the privilege of meeting Fr. Greg. We took only a few minutes of his time as most of the people waiting in the lobby were there to see him – to give him updates, see about a job, receive a blessing or simply delight in each other. We asked what piece of advice he might offer for our work and as if he’s been asked this question before, replied, well, “success isn’t all its cracked up to be”. If you are too focused on serving those who will be successful, you sure might miss a lot of opportunities to help people who most need help. Homeboy Industries is indeed successful. Please look them up.
The poet Mary Oliver writes “all things are inventions of holiness – some more rascally than others.” Homeboy Industries delights in rebuilding people. Then they help them learn job skills and stuff like that. I think their approach is one we can all take something from, no matter what our business is.
Thanks for reading, and blessings to you all.
Amy
(PS: some recommended reading: Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle and The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day by Robert Ellsberg)
Nina and I visited Homeboy Industries, an organization that provides employment and supportive services to individuals desiring to leave gang life. As we walked up to the building in downtown Los Angeles, a casually dressed, clean-cut young man with tattoos on his face and neck approached and greeted us. His welcoming demeanor was immediately reassuring. We asked if he worked there and he wittingly replied that he was “homeland security”. He opened the door and motioned us in towards the front desk, where we were greeted with eye contact, warm smiles and an obvious desire to include us in what was going on there. These young men and women had not only learned customer service skills, they were ambassadors for a place they were clearly proud of and proud to be a part of. Everyone seemed to know the drill: Someone is here, embrace them, welcome them, connect them to where they need to be. Brian, one of the Homeboys, graciously provided us a tour of the facility. Homeboy Industries provides a long list of supportive services – job development, tattoo removal, counseling, legal aid, parenting workshops, computer classes, etc. But those critical and effective services don’t seem to be the “crux” of it. What does seem to be the key is the environment of respect, hospitality, acceptance, love, and dignity, and a funny feeling you are standing on holy ground. There is no formal registration process at Homeboy. No screening. You walk in and are surrounded informally with everything you need, even when you don’t know what you need or why you are there. Brian, perhaps without realizing, reminded us of some basic life truths. People are vulnerable. Everyone has a heart. We mess up sometimes. As he described his own past of family dynamics, gang involvement and his journey out, he said “I knew right from wrong, but I wasn’t used to it”. Brian shared: “…I would try here and there. I don’t even know what I came here for. I was on day two of being out [of jail] and I came because I wanted to get my tattoos removed…” Almost right away, Fr. Greg offered him a job. Brian is taking it one day at a time, and is clearly passionate about the new possibilities he understands and enjoys. He’ll keep working at Homeboy for now to continue to accomplish among other things, making his mother proud. I don't about Nina but I don't remember much detail after that.
Don’t get me wrong, Homeboy Industries is not Disneyland, although the immediate relief of apprehension and anxiety I felt when I entered the front door made me appreciate it as if it were. We’re all trained to put our best foot forward when touring or hosting guests. During our tour we picked up on body language, eye movement and very few words of Fr. Greg that instructed one of the Homeboys to check the status of a hooded young man who entered the lobby. “Find out if the climate has changed out there” was his casual instruction. Reality check: Homeboy Industries helps gang members. Under Fr. Greg’s leadership, they work to dispel the myth that one life could possibly be worth less than another. Homeboy Industries challenges their community to consider “What if we were to invest in gang members, rather than just seek to incarcerate our way out of this problem?”
We had the privilege of meeting Fr. Greg. We took only a few minutes of his time as most of the people waiting in the lobby were there to see him – to give him updates, see about a job, receive a blessing or simply delight in each other. We asked what piece of advice he might offer for our work and as if he’s been asked this question before, replied, well, “success isn’t all its cracked up to be”. If you are too focused on serving those who will be successful, you sure might miss a lot of opportunities to help people who most need help. Homeboy Industries is indeed successful. Please look them up.
The poet Mary Oliver writes “all things are inventions of holiness – some more rascally than others.” Homeboy Industries delights in rebuilding people. Then they help them learn job skills and stuff like that. I think their approach is one we can all take something from, no matter what our business is.
Thanks for reading, and blessings to you all.
Amy
(PS: some recommended reading: Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle and The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day by Robert Ellsberg)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Skid Row or Bust! The first account....
Where to start…? Skid Row was amazing. I am humbled, grateful and inspired by what I saw there. Compassion, skill, life. So glad SJW team members were able to join me.
Some background:
Skid Row is a 50-block containment area in Los Angeles, California. Since the early 1900's, skid row is an area that homeless individuals from across the country would find themselves - literally the "end of the line" for the railroad. The "hobo" image of old: white men who drank and rode the rails was the initial the population there. Over the past century there were infusions of people resulting from the depression, world wars, and the de-institutionalization of mental hospitals. After the Vietnam era, the population diversified tremendously and drug use was prevalent. The sixties and seventies brought racial diversity to the area, the eighties and nineties ushered in women and children. Today estimates range from 50,000-80,000 people in skid row. As grim as this is, rest assured there are amazing beacons of hope and help shining bright in the zone-skid row.
Here are just a few highlights:
St. Vincent de Paul's Cardinal Manning Center: A clear leader in the zone (Skid Row). They provide shelter for homeless men women and children, respite, and seminar series' that educate and connect other non-profit agencies on skid row. An amazing facet of St. Vincent de Paul is their ability to respond to the local need. "No act of charity is foreign to the Society" is their living and evident motto.
Lamp Community: talk about compassion and respect! They help L.A.'s homeless who need special care for mental illnesses, substance abuse, and housing alternatives and take a unique approach to upholding human individuality. A likeness of this organization was portrayed in the movie The Soloist, which I recommend for its non-fairy tale portrayal of an individual living with schizophrenia. As Stuart from Lamp Community said - we all have the right to housing, we also have the right to not be forced into the type of housing others think we should have.
Chrysalis: Wow! What a treat to visit an organization whose mission and philosophy seem to mirror what SJW strives for. It was a joy to be on the receiving side of this tour and to learn about techniques and programs of another employment agency. Philosophy and approach to job development is eerily similar to SJW's. Their intake approach is quite different. While Chrysalis offers enrollment to all who enter their facility (that's right: all), the enrollment process is extensive, including ten brief courses on job readiness and life skill issues. Chrysalis also operates a staffing agency and work contracts through which they employ the individuals most in need of that "first chance". Individuals receive on the job training and the soft skills necessary to move on to competitive employment while the contract (street sweeping, power washing) generates over 50% of the organization's $6.8M budget. A simple yet profound teaching goal of Chrysalis Enterprises: teach new employees to "look professional, act professional, and care".
Interesting facet of the Los Angeles business community are the BIDS - Business Improvement Districts through which local businesses impose a self-assessment to supplement the city's security and sanitation efforts. Several of Chrysalis Enterprises work contracts are with local BIDS. http://cityclerk.lacity.org/bids/index.htm
Next I'll tell you about Homeboy Industries but will sign out for now. I've been advised to keep these posts short (I’m working on that part).
Thanks for reading this maiden entry! Please "follow" my blog, post comments and let me know what you would like to hear about as I continue this amazing journey spanning the Red Wood Forests to the New York island.
God bless and so long for now!
Amy
Some background:
Skid Row is a 50-block containment area in Los Angeles, California. Since the early 1900's, skid row is an area that homeless individuals from across the country would find themselves - literally the "end of the line" for the railroad. The "hobo" image of old: white men who drank and rode the rails was the initial the population there. Over the past century there were infusions of people resulting from the depression, world wars, and the de-institutionalization of mental hospitals. After the Vietnam era, the population diversified tremendously and drug use was prevalent. The sixties and seventies brought racial diversity to the area, the eighties and nineties ushered in women and children. Today estimates range from 50,000-80,000 people in skid row. As grim as this is, rest assured there are amazing beacons of hope and help shining bright in the zone-skid row.
Here are just a few highlights:
St. Vincent de Paul's Cardinal Manning Center: A clear leader in the zone (Skid Row). They provide shelter for homeless men women and children, respite, and seminar series' that educate and connect other non-profit agencies on skid row. An amazing facet of St. Vincent de Paul is their ability to respond to the local need. "No act of charity is foreign to the Society" is their living and evident motto.
Lamp Community: talk about compassion and respect! They help L.A.'s homeless who need special care for mental illnesses, substance abuse, and housing alternatives and take a unique approach to upholding human individuality. A likeness of this organization was portrayed in the movie The Soloist, which I recommend for its non-fairy tale portrayal of an individual living with schizophrenia. As Stuart from Lamp Community said - we all have the right to housing, we also have the right to not be forced into the type of housing others think we should have.
Chrysalis: Wow! What a treat to visit an organization whose mission and philosophy seem to mirror what SJW strives for. It was a joy to be on the receiving side of this tour and to learn about techniques and programs of another employment agency. Philosophy and approach to job development is eerily similar to SJW's. Their intake approach is quite different. While Chrysalis offers enrollment to all who enter their facility (that's right: all), the enrollment process is extensive, including ten brief courses on job readiness and life skill issues. Chrysalis also operates a staffing agency and work contracts through which they employ the individuals most in need of that "first chance". Individuals receive on the job training and the soft skills necessary to move on to competitive employment while the contract (street sweeping, power washing) generates over 50% of the organization's $6.8M budget. A simple yet profound teaching goal of Chrysalis Enterprises: teach new employees to "look professional, act professional, and care".
Interesting facet of the Los Angeles business community are the BIDS - Business Improvement Districts through which local businesses impose a self-assessment to supplement the city's security and sanitation efforts. Several of Chrysalis Enterprises work contracts are with local BIDS. http://cityclerk.lacity.org/bids/index.htm
Next I'll tell you about Homeboy Industries but will sign out for now. I've been advised to keep these posts short (I’m working on that part).
Thanks for reading this maiden entry! Please "follow" my blog, post comments and let me know what you would like to hear about as I continue this amazing journey spanning the Red Wood Forests to the New York island.
God bless and so long for now!
Amy
Here I Go....please join me!
Hello everyone:
Thank you for reading my blog. In doing so you are helping to create and spread awareness of what being "In the Zone" is all about, be it embracing the fullness of life (stopping to smell the roses is one of my learning objectives), or being moved by the contagious passion found in best-practice approaches to ending homelessness. Please be patient - I've never done this before. This is my year of technology, among other things.
One main intention for my blog is to spread awareness of what various agencies in cities across the country are doing to help individuals end their homelessness. Another intention is to keep connected to my community as I go venturing around this great nation of ours. I am nearly speechless when I try to articulate the gratitude I have for Paul Galvin, Virginia Piper and the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust who, among others, have made this experience possible. I am definitely "In the Zone", so much so, I ask for your help in keeping me focused on sharing and learning. What would you like to know about? What should I make sure I ask, see or discover on this journey? I'm attaching a document that outlines some of my stops. Take a look and let me know what you are interested in. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/38670278/Sabbatical-overview
One major concept I am focused on learning about as I visit organizations is the implementation and operation of Social Enterprise. Its that balance between delivering a social service and running a business enterprise…somewhere in the middle they come together to help individuals improve their lives while turning (hopefully!) a profit to support the organization and fuel a positive cycle.
I may not post in chronological order of experiences; I'm realizing already that some take more time than others to "sink in". I'm also realizing already that having time for things to sink in is just one of the luxuries of a sabbatical!
Please pass this blog address (http://inthezone-acaffarello.blogspot.com/) on to anyone you think might be interested, and please keep in touch.
Best regards and blessings,
Amy
Thank you for reading my blog. In doing so you are helping to create and spread awareness of what being "In the Zone" is all about, be it embracing the fullness of life (stopping to smell the roses is one of my learning objectives), or being moved by the contagious passion found in best-practice approaches to ending homelessness. Please be patient - I've never done this before. This is my year of technology, among other things.
One main intention for my blog is to spread awareness of what various agencies in cities across the country are doing to help individuals end their homelessness. Another intention is to keep connected to my community as I go venturing around this great nation of ours. I am nearly speechless when I try to articulate the gratitude I have for Paul Galvin, Virginia Piper and the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust who, among others, have made this experience possible. I am definitely "In the Zone", so much so, I ask for your help in keeping me focused on sharing and learning. What would you like to know about? What should I make sure I ask, see or discover on this journey? I'm attaching a document that outlines some of my stops. Take a look and let me know what you are interested in. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/38670278/Sabbatical-overview
One major concept I am focused on learning about as I visit organizations is the implementation and operation of Social Enterprise. Its that balance between delivering a social service and running a business enterprise…somewhere in the middle they come together to help individuals improve their lives while turning (hopefully!) a profit to support the organization and fuel a positive cycle.
I may not post in chronological order of experiences; I'm realizing already that some take more time than others to "sink in". I'm also realizing already that having time for things to sink in is just one of the luxuries of a sabbatical!
Please pass this blog address (http://inthezone-acaffarello.blogspot.com/) on to anyone you think might be interested, and please keep in touch.
Best regards and blessings,
Amy
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