The industry part….where business and social service meet

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.