ABOUT DELANCEY STREET FOUNDATION – SAN FRANCISCO
The Delancey Street Foundation is a socially progressive sober living organization that provides a long-term residence and employment opportunities for substance abusers, ex-convicts, and the homeless to rebuild their lives. The San Francisco branch, situated along the city’s waterfront, was the first of a now widespread network with centers in Los Angeles, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Rehabilitation is achieved through hard work and community participation, and counseling is not a priority; however, the organization’s website reports that before a resident can begin vocational training, he or she must first develop personal skills — how to interact respectfully with others, how to maintain personal hygiene, how to live sober, etc.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of treatment at Delancey Street is acquiring knowledge and vocational skills. Indeed, the center refers to itself as a “total learning center.” Clients start by working in maintenance jobs, like cleaning and serving meals, and then they progress to higher level employment. Vocations include the moving and construction trades, culinary arts, bookkeeping, and auto maintenance. All residents are tutored by other residents (what the organization calls an “each-one-teach-one” process) until they receive a GED or equivalent degree.
The minimum length of stay is two years, although the average stay is four years.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
According to its website, Delancey Street has no staff (excluding its president and board of directors). Instead, the facility is entirely self-governed by residents. Residents educate other residents, interview new applicants, and regulate housing, rule violations, and more.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The San Francisco location’s 500 residents live and work in an award-winning, 370,000 square-foot complex that covers an entire city block along the waterfront, with retail space on the ground floor and living space above.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Despite reviews that describe the facility as notoriously tough, the two alumni reviewed by Best-rehabs.com to date gave the facility high ratings, including five and four stars, respectively, for cleanliness and accommodations. Both, however, gave the facility just one- and two-star ratings for individual needs.
Alum Joe shared a no-frills comment about his experience: “This is no joke. If you want pillows and hugs, this is not your program. You get boots, not slippers and pajamas.” Despite occasional unsympathetic remarks from fellow clients, he gave four out of five stars for safety, conflict resolution, group therapy, cleanliness, and accommodations. Another alum polled by Best-rehabs.com, J.M., who gave the facility top marks in meals and nutrition, reported that he has “been clean since leaving.”
At the time of this writing, reviews elsewhere online are much more overwhelmingly positive. On its Facebook page, Delancey Street received an average of 4.7 out of five stars based on the feedback of 55 respondents to date.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The sole family member reviewed on Best-rehabs.com to date gave the facility five out of five stars for cleanliness and accommodations, but only one for family participation, writing: “Very limited family contact allowed.”
FINANCING
The nonprofit facility funds itself through the work carried out by residents, as well as donations from individuals and corporations. Residents pay no fees, although all resources earned through working are pooled.