Post by Woodrow LI on Aug 27, 2013 19:46:34 GMT -6
Once in a while it is good to balance off the constant flow of bad news with a reminder that many of us Americans are good people.
SOURCE
SAN FRANCISCO–At Old Skool Cafe here, the motto is “come hungry, leave inspired.”
Owner Teresa Goines’ young staff do it all — prep, cook, serve and even entertain — at the eatery in one of the city’s rough neighborhoods.
It’s a major change from the lives they once had, dealing drugs on the streets.
“When I look around, I see these young people are my investment and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend money,” Goines said. “This is a dream come true.”
Eight years ago, Goines traded in her job as a juvenile probation officer and spent nearly every penny of her retirement savings to open Old Skool.
“I started thinking: ‘Is there some place for them [youth] when they get out that’s going to actually see these young men for what they actually are — which is valuable and precious and not some scary criminal — but see they boys inside that just want to be loved and have a chance at life,’” she said.
Old Skool employs 11 young men and women. The reality, however, is that not everyone working there will survive Goines’ strict rules on attendance and work ethic. For those who do, though, she offers full-time jobs.
Goines said if an applicant had a felony on their record, they were more likely to get hired at Old Skool — “If you’re ready to change,” she said. “My hope is that this is a jumping block.”
Jeremiah — he asked to withhold his last name — said he’d been arrested six times since he was 14. He now washes dishes at Old Skool.
“We used to wait for joggers and have our guns stashed right here,” the
Owner Teresa Goines’ young staff do it all — prep, cook, serve and even entertain — at the eatery in one of the city’s rough neighborhoods.
It’s a major change from the lives they once had, dealing drugs on the streets.
“When I look around, I see these young people are my investment and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend money,” Goines said. “This is a dream come true.”
Eight years ago, Goines traded in her job as a juvenile probation officer and spent nearly every penny of her retirement savings to open Old Skool.
“I started thinking: ‘Is there some place for them [youth] when they get out that’s going to actually see these young men for what they actually are — which is valuable and precious and not some scary criminal — but see they boys inside that just want to be loved and have a chance at life,’” she said.
Old Skool employs 11 young men and women. The reality, however, is that not everyone working there will survive Goines’ strict rules on attendance and work ethic. For those who do, though, she offers full-time jobs.
Goines said if an applicant had a felony on their record, they were more likely to get hired at Old Skool — “If you’re ready to change,” she said. “My hope is that this is a jumping block.”
Jeremiah — he asked to withhold his last name — said he’d been arrested six times since he was 14. He now washes dishes at Old Skool.
“We used to wait for joggers and have our guns stashed right here,” the