In addition to developing a replication under an umbrella organization, another replication turning around a traditional half-way house, and a faith-based replication, Delancey Street wanted to create a replication in an area where nothing similar existed.

A local group called “The Friends of Delancey” representing prominent figures from the judiciary, law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, probation, pardon and parole, city, state and Federal officials, corporate and business leaders, academic institutions, employment services, real estate and philanthropic institutions throughout South Carolina requested that Delancey Street open in their state.

South Carolina friends were trained at the Institute for Social Renewal at Delancey headquarters in San Francisco. We incorporated the new organization as South Carolina STRONG (Sustaining, Teaching, Rebuilding Our New Generation) as a 501 ©(3) and began the process of looking for property. Through the largesse of noted developer John Knott, an agreement was struck with the Noisette Company in North Charleston. The Noisette Company is engaged in a multi-year redevelopment effort that encompasses portions of the former Charleston Navy base, residential neighborhoods and parkland designed by famed nineteenth century landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead. The development includes the creation of a waterfront park, an urban preserve and wetlands, and the creation of various sustainable businesses. The Noisette Company leased three large homes in this historic district to the replication. The buildings are classic Southern plantation architecture. The first core group of residents consists of 25 - 30 men.

We are in the process of restoring these buildings, under the direction of John Glemser, a Delancey Street graduate. SC STRONG residents are learning the trade of historic restoration and green construction and developed a construction business training school. Three other business training schools are catering, furniture restoration and a nursery and landscaping service. Because the development is based on holistic ecological principles, the landscaping and nursery service requires learning about native plants and fragile ecosystems, which will also be a highly prized set of career skills for the residents.

Visit the SC STRONG website at www.scstrong.org

Related Media
"South Carolina STRONG" (Charleston Magazine, 02/10)
"STRONG comeback" (The Post and Courier, 2/11/10)
"Former Navy base officers' quarters getting spruced up" (Charleston Regional Business Journal,12/06)
"Model rehabilitation program taking first steps" (The Post and Courier, 12/06)
"Groups Focus on Ex-Cons' Success" (The Post and Courier, 2/14/06)