NCJ Number
58603
Journal
BUSINESS AND SOCIETY REVIEW Issue: 20 Dated: (WINTER 1976-1977) Pages: 33-40
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
PROGRAMS AT DELANCEY STREET FOUNDATION, A SELF-HELP GROUP IN SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., TEACH THE EXOFFENDER, PROSTITUTE, AND ADDICT HOW TO RUN LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES.
Abstract
CURRENTLY, DELANCEY STREET, WHICH WAS ORGANIZED IN 1971 BY FOUR FORMER OFFENDERS AND DELINQUENTS, HAS 350 RESIDENTS OF ALL RACES AND 30 APPARENTLY REHABILITATED GRADUATES. SIXTY PERCENT OF THE RESIDENTS COME OUT OF THE COURTS AND FORTY PERCENT OFF THE STREETS. FAMILY UNITY IS THE THEME OF THIS ORGANIZATION WHICH ENCOURAGES CLIENTS TO ADVANCE SOCIALLY BY PROVIDING THEM WITH LOW-LEVEL JOBS TO TEACH DISCIPLINE AND A MARKETABLE SKILL. THE LEARNING PROCESS OCCURS IN AN EMOTIONAL, FAMILY ATMOSPHERE WHICH CREATES MUTUAL SUPPORT BETWEEN EACH CLIENT. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH PRINCIPAL OFFICER OF DELANCEY STREET IS PROVIDED, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION OF THE PHILOSPHY OF JOHN MAHER, THE EXOFFENDER AND EXADDICT WHO FOUNDED DELANCEY STREET. IN ADDITION, DELANCEY STREET OPERATES LICENSED BUSINESSES IN AN ATTEMPT TO TEACH SKILLS TO CONVICTS AND TO FORCE SOCIETY TO ACCEPT EXOFFENDERS IN PLACES ONCE DENIED THEM. SUCH ENTERPRISES HAVE NO LABOR COSTS; EACH CLIENT IS ALLOTTED $20 A MONTH AFTER 18 MONTHS RESIDENCE. EVEN MONEY EARNED IN OUTSIDE BUSINESSES IS DEPOSITED IN A COMMON POOL. AMONG THE PROJECTS DELANCEY STREET OPERATES INCLUDE A SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANT (WITH A WINE AND BEER LICENSE), A PARKING AND REPAIR GARAGE, A FLOWER AND PLANT BUSINESS, A MOVING COMPANY, AND A CONSTRUCTION AND PAINTING BUSINESS. MOREOVER, DELANCEY STREET WON A FEDERAL CHARTER IN 1973 FOR A CREDIT UNION WHICH MAKES LOANS TO GRADUATES WHO WOULD FIND GETTING CREDIT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. RESIDENTS ALSO OPERATE A PROTECTION SERVICE, CONDUCT SEMINARS ON SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER CRIMES, AND PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION OF POLITICAL CLUBS. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE USED. (WJR)