Crossroads Cafe: Providing Job Training and Darn Tasty Sandwiches
WorldChanging Team, 8 Jul 09
Nominated by Emily Pilloton
The Crossroads Cafe, on top of having the best $4.95 BLT in San Francisco, is an amazing enterprise (cafe and self-help bookstore) that provides job training to "people who have hit bottom to completely rebuild their lives." Its clients include former substance abusers, ex-convicts, homeless and others. What makes Crossroads world changing is its alignment with the Delancey Foundation's other enterprises -- the system works to support individuals at every stage, from counseling to employment to entrepreneurship.
In coordination with other enterprises that include moving and trucking, catering, artisan craft guilds, landscaping, digital printing, and more, Crossroads Cafe is successful because of its link to other enterprises (providing a stepping stone rather than a one-off model of work-based empowerment). The food is amazing, the staff inspiring and friendly, and the training program rigorous and effective.
This piece is part of Worldchanging's Attention Philanthropy campaign. All week long, the Worldchanging Network will be delivering "attention grants" to worthy projects, individuals, resources and more. You can learn more about these gifts of notice and find other entries by clicking here.
I like this. I like a work-training program that takes the dignity of the client seriously. It has a Bill Strickland-ish vibe--- provide a high quality atmosphere and keep expectations high.
Posted by: Stella on 8 Jul 09
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