Ex-prostitutes, drug addicts build $30m home

The Herald, February 22, 1989 NEW YORK. — Former drug addicts, criminals, and prostitutes are busy constructing a US$30 million home for themselves on a prime slice of a San Francisco property.

The recovering addicts and former hard-core criminals are working under the auspices of the Delancey Street Foundation, which takes them into a “half-way house” and sends them out four years later to be contributing members of society. Some have gone on to become lawyers, police officers and academics.

The new building complex is already more than half completed — with circular windows, balconies and a breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay. Its 177 apartment units and retail spaces make it look more like an upscale condominium complex than the headquarters of a drug recovery programme.

“We have all these extra details that people don’t usually do, and certainly do not do on a low-income housing project,” said Mimi Silbert, president of the foundation, in a recent interview, referring to wooden window frames and flower boxes.

The Delancey Street headquarters is better built than most low-income housing although the crew carrying out the work has had little previous construction experience.

The project, backed by a US$10 million unsecured loan from Bank of America, is the latest dream project of an organisation started by a former addict 18 years ago with a US$1 000 loan.

John Maher, the founder, originally intended to provide both a place for alcoholics to dry out and a sort of university for the incorrigible that could re-educate and equip them to function in society.

“It is not enough to get them from the bottom to being a janitor,” said Ms Silbert, who holds advanced university degrees in criminology and psychology.

The foundation trains residents in several work areas, teaching more than simple job skills. They are taken to the opera and taught how to order food in ethnic restaurants. — Ziana-Reuter.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ Being a drug addict or a commercial sex worker, does not necessary mean that one is a lost cause. Addicts can fully recover and be successfully integrated into society if they receive assistance especially rehabilitation.

◆ One of the best ways to deal with addiction is to use addicts who would have successfully beat their addiction to tell their story and inspire others to do the same.

◆ For rehabilitation to succeed, it is essential to ensure that addicts are placed in a conducive environment that allows them to fully recover.