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. Having chosen South Carolina as a replication site, we interviewed inmates at several prisons and jails, and several of them were accepted and when released we sent them to already existing Delancey Street sites so they could later return to South Carolina to become part of the core group of residents in this replication.

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 massive, multi-year redevelopment effort that encompasses 3,000 acres, including an old navy base, portions of residential neighborhoods and parkland designed by famed nineteenth century landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead. The development will include the creation of a waterfront park, an urban preserve and wetlands, and the creation of various sustainable businesses. The Noisette Company is leasing three large and historic buildings to the replication. The buildings are classic Southern plantation architecture and are listed on the National Historic Register.

We are in the process of restoring these buildings, under the direction of John Glemser, a Delancey Street graduate. SC STRONG residents will learn the trade of historic restoration, and green construction, both key current skills and with great growth potential. Another business training school will be a nursery and landscaping service. Because the development is based on holistic ecological principles, the landscaping and nursery service will require learning about native plants and fragile ecosystems, which will also be a highly prized set of career skills for the residents.

Related Media
"Delancey Street model could cure workforce ills." Charleston Regional Business Journal 6-19 Mar 2006
"Groups Focus on Ex-Cons' Success" The Post and Courier (2/14/06)