Components and how to network on a corporate level. It is also helping me accumulate my skills all be going towards my College Tuition where i will pursue a major in computer science. For myself, being that i am an actual residential realtor, it was great. If anybody wants to buy a house, let me know. Whenever. [applause] it is good. I got you. It was really cool to see the commercial side and think about the process of developing property and Different Things that i can explore. Opportunities for all was a great opportunity for all. We were aiming to have 1,000 young people register and we had over 2,000 people register and we were able to place about between 50 and did. We are still getting the final numbers of that. Over several weeks, we were able to have students participate in Investment Banking they were able to work with our team, or technology team, our engineering 20 we also gave them lessons around the industry, around financial literacy. There are 32,000 young people ages 16 and 24 living in San Francisco. And imagine if we can create an opera skin it just opportunity for all program for every young person that lives in public housing, affordable housing, low income communities. It is all up to you to make that happen. We have had really great response from employers and they have been talking about it with other employers, so we have had a lot of interest for next year to have people sign on. We are starting to figure out how to stay connected to those young people and to get prepared to make sure we can get all 2400 or so that registered. We want to give them placement and what it looks like if they get more. Lets be honest, there is always a shortage of good talent in any industry, and so this is a real great career path. For potential sponsors who might be interested in supporting opportunities for all , there is an opportunity to make a difference in our city. This is a really thriving, booming economy, but not for everyone. This is a way to make sure that everyone gets to benefit from the great place that San Francisco is and that we are building pathways for folks to be able to stay here and that they feel like they will belong. Just do it. Sign up for it. [ ] [ ] good morning, everyone. I am william rogers, i am the president and c. E. O. Of goodwill San Francisco san mateo. [cheers and applause] [laughter] i want to welcome all of you, our friends, our supporters, our partners. We are here today to celebrate together the grand opening of goodwills stateoftheart training and career center. [cheers and applause] i wanted to take a moment to do a couple of things. Lets show a little bit of love to the retail team. [cheers and applause] this store is opening tomorrow and it is going to be beautiful. They did a great job. I want to give special thanks to the honorable mayor breed. Thank you so much for being here [cheers and applause] to the honorable willie brown. [cheers and applause] supervisor peskin, we moved from your district to your district. [laughter] i want to thank the p. U. C. , because without the p. U. C. , we would never have gotten into the building on time. Thank you to the p. U. C. [applause] i also want to thank, i will call her shelley b. B. Who is the former president of the planning commission, and aaron peskin introduced me to her and she came up to me and she said, mr. Rogers, so nice to meet you. I am 100 against your project but i have a open mind. [laughter] i said all right. And we spent three hours together. After that three hour period, she looked at me she says, i hate you and i said wise that . And she said because i am 100 for your project. [applause] i also want to thank tidewater who is here. They actually manage this project. Thank you so much. Are mw architects, and then some of our partners. The sitting county of San Francisco has been amazing. Mayor breed, your staff has been amazing. I also want to thank some of our funders who are here. Microsoft, google, wells fargo salesforce, and linkedin. Thank you all for being here today. [applause] the building we are standing here with right now was built in 1914. It has been in San Francisco for as long as San Francisco goodwill has been in San Francisco. Who knew that, right . We have both been here for over 100 years. This building has been a parking garage, it has been an art gallery, and now it is home to a training and Community Center for this community to participate, share, and learn. I want to take a quick moment to introduce our board chair. He served on the board for almost three years. He has been an influential entrepreneur. He is a philanthropist, a volunteer, and a compassionate human being. I just want to introduce eric. [applause] i usually dont get such nice introductions. Thank you. We are proud to be moving here to the tenderloin. It is really, really exciting to be in this space. Theyre going to be some any great opportunities for us to part with great organizations here and i cant tell you how proud we are to be here. As an investor, i look for misunderstood organizations where there is a real difference between perception and reality. That are managed by strong management teams, driven by strong purpose, where my investment, whether it is time or money, can make a real difference. I want to unpack that for a second. Really, whats misunderstood about goodwill is our mission. When i talked to most people out there, people really dont seem to understand what we stand for and why were doing what we are doing. So i think that really the best way to understand is the old story about if you catch a man of fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach them and how to fish, you will eat for life. That is what we are all about. We are all about providing Second Chances by providing jobs and training for those who have barriers to employment. Whether it is formerly incarcerated, recovering addicts , people who struggle with english as a second language, veterans, and a whole bunch of other people that really need a Second Chance. I am really proud to be part of this organization to help that. Of course, we have strong management, that is another thing we look for with william and his team. They are fabulous. I really feel like we are making a difference here. I feel like we are addressing housing and security, we are addressing food insecurity, we are addressing Mental Illness by providing job training and jobs. So i really appreciate all of you coming today and i hope we can do great things together. Thank you. [applause] thank you, eric. Almost everybody know something about goodwill, right . You either might know through the donation sites or you drop off still stuff that you no longer want or need, you may know it as a store, to find a treasure or get a good deal, and yet there we are so much more than that. Today, no matter what you know about goodwill, i will ask you to take a closer look. When you take a closer look, what you will find is that San Francisco goodwill is, by its very nature, and with great intention, and innovator in our approach to workforce development, sustainability, and economic inclusion. We focus on those who face barriers to employment, that is who we partner with, and we are highly unique in our approach, so we provide paid employment with benefits, industry training , customized career support, all under one roof, but in fact, we have learned that is not enough. We have also created programs to help people develop the resilience and confidence to be successful in todays ever changing labor market because we know the world of work is rapidly of all thing and we all need to be ready. When you take a closer look at goodwill, you will see an organization that is highly committed to sustainability. You will learn that we divert over 31 Million Pounds every year from the landfills. You will learn that we were the first one of the first entities in the United States to convert half of our fleet to electric tracks, so no, we have 11 electric powered commercial trucks with note tail pack admissions. And with these trucks, we eliminate 55,000 diesel emissions and replace them with clean, quiet zero emissions. [applause] over the next couple of years we will use warty what he thousand gallons less diesel fuel and that enables us to reduce Carbon Emissions by 400 tonnes. What you will also learn is through our Computer Technology recycling and refurbishing program, we divert over 3 Million Pounds of electronic waste from entering our landfills every year. And last year, we refurbished over 200,000 electronic units for reuse. This year, we begin working with recycling innovators who can take a shirt that is 50 cotton, 50 polyester, separate that polyester from the cotton, and actually use that as five or to make new clothing. So for the stuff we get that is torn or ripped or stained, we will be able to recycle those things and make them into new clothing. [cheers and applause] when you take a closer look at goodwill in the state of california, you will see that goodwill drove 2. 4 of the state s job growth and that was by creating jobs for people who have been left behind and left out. I am the current chair of the California Council of goodwill, i always hear the four alltime low and employment rate in the state of california, but what we know about that is that that Unemployment Rate is significantly higher for the populations that we serve. So the fact that goodwill his in the state of california have driven that 2. 4 of the job growth with the populations that we serve, is a significant accomplishment and we are just getting started. [applause] today im also inviting you to take a closer look at our facility. We are excited to have you toured our Training Center little bit later today after the program where you will see the goodwill microsoft maker space, which is the first of its kind in this neighborhood. You will learn about our Career Pathways and Career Services which include training for sick technology certifications. You also get to experience our computer refurbishing team in action. Our work at goodwill is centred on the belief that everyone deserves access to a Career Pathway that can lead to economic security. And that the right combination of Work Experience, skill developments, and confidence can accelerate a persons economic mobility. We are very proud of what we do and yet we are also very clear we do it alone. Our work is strengthened by our partners and our collaborators and many of you are here today, and i thank you for that. People can change their lives. In fact, people do change their lives. Together, we have an opportunity to transform lives, support families, and strengthen communities through training, and the dignity of work. The collective power in this room is tremendous. We have the opportunity to make a real difference and to foster a legacy of keeping San Francisco the special place that it is. And so today, lets celebrate our new home. Tomorrow, was roll up our sleeves and Work Together to create a new legacy where San Francisco works for everyone and where everyone in San Francisco can work. Thank you. [applause] thank you. I now have the great and distinct pleasure of introducing a true trailblazer, the mayor of San Francisco, mayor london breed, a native of San Francisco you have been a fierce advocate for more equitable and just San Francisco. I know she needs no introduction , but im so proud and happy that you are here. Im pleased for everyone to welcome mayor london breed. [applause] thank you. I have to say, this place is phenomenal. It is absolutely amazing and i have a long history with the goodwill, especially during the time where i served as executive director from the africanamerican art and culture complex. I grew up in the Western Addition community and ive had people who were coming home from prison who were struggling with trying to find Job Opportunities and the only folks that were willing to work with me and work with people in the community was Goodwill Industries and im really grateful for that because as you are still hearing today, so many people talk about the difficulties of finding Employment Opportunities after they have, unfortunately, you know, they have served their time and theyre coming back into society, and they want a new start, a fresh start and im proud of San Francisco for the work that we did when we worked on this board of supervisors in making sure that people who have a criminal record, it is not used to a barrier of employment even in San Francisco because we have to start changing the stigma that is attached to people who sadly have gone through the criminal justice system, they have done their time, they want a Second Chance, and goodwill has done this and made this an important part of their program before anyone else started to do it, so we really appreciate the fact that goodwill is so many things, including a trailblazer. Thank you so much for the work you continue to do for the city. In addition to the Young Adult Court, which is really an important part of the work that we do to make sure that firsttime offenders have an opportunity to get a job, to work, to develop a career because we have seen how being part of this community of goodwill has really changed peoples lives for the better. So it does mean a lot for me to be here and to see a lot of this stuff come full circle and see how much more innovative and exciting goodwill has become over the years and im excited about doing even more. In San Francisco we know that there is more to be done and part of some of the work that we have been able to do with people i kind of got this ideal from you when we went to your location on clement street, and we talked about the drivers for goodwill and the challenges with their suspended license and how they couldnt drive the trucks, but they could work for the companies and then you had to drive. One of the things we did, aaron peskin, thank you for your support on making sure that we were getting rid of some of the past fees and other things in giving people a clean start so that they could get their license, and they can get Employment Opportunities like things like what are offered through goodwill. It really is a partnership. We cant change the city for the better alone. We need organizations who care deeply and who are invested in the people of San Francisco, and goodwill, for the past 103 years , in San Francisco, in particular, has been demonstrating time and time again it really is about providing an opportunity for people to take care of themselves and making sure that they have a thriving, a comfortable community to do so because it is challenging. When you sadly were out on the streets and using drugs, and the stigma attached to that when youre trying to get clean and stay sober, and work, and turn your life around, the goodwill welcomes you with open arms. When you have a criminal past, and you want a Second Chance, and you dont want people to keep judging you because you made a mistake in the past, the goodwill welcomes you with open arms time and time again. So i just wanted to be here to express my true appreciation for the work that you have done and what you will continue to do and thats why we have to be a Good Community partner with you. The city has to be willing to make things easier for you to do the incredible work that you do to change and save lives. We know the challenges that exist around homelessness in the city and people struggling with Mental Illness and addiction and we are working on a number of Innovative Solutions to try and address what is a real crisis on our streets. But the good news is, the good news is when we are able to help somebody, we know that we can rely on the goodwill to be there for us and say yes each and every time. When i decided it was time to open a job Training Center and the o. M. I. Community of San Francisco, because we saw that the unemployment numbers were higher there than most parts of this city, goodwill, again, was right there. We will be hosting a job fair in that location with you tomorrow. So time and time again we know that when we bring forth the kinds of ideas that really help people and open the doors, we know that good things can happen so i am just grateful for your work and your service and i wanted to do something really special. Clearly theres a lot of enthusiastic and excited people that are here today because this place is absolutely beautiful, and more importantly, the people who work here, the people who work for goodwill are absolutely beautiful because they love this organization and they love the work they have been able to do to really help so many people. So today, william and eric, i will ask you both to come up. Do you want to join us, supervisor, since you are here and i know you have your certificate . But mine first. [laughter] on behalf of the city and county of San Francisco, i would like to declare today goodwill in San Francisco day in that city and county of San Francisco. [cheers and applause] thank you. [applause] thank you. Thank you so much actually, mayor breed, we have something for you. So we have, as you know, our microsoft maker space. Do you have a coupon for me . [laughter] right . We have our microsoft maker his space and the joke was supposed to be that you can never be duplicated, but then we were able to duplicate you in our microsoft space. But then we decided not to. [laughter] we want to give you two things. The importance of the space is not only so we have all sorts of things in the space that folks can create things. Theyre learning about software and they are also able to do 3d printing. What we wanted to give you today is actually on the escher, we were able to at a photo of the mayor. [applause] we want to give you that and that is something. [laughter] do you know the first idea was . Somebody suggested we make in many all of you and we said, lets not do that. [laughter] than the other thing we want to give you, and this is actually something that was 3d printed, and this is a key to goodwill because we want you to know this is always your home. Thank you so much. [cheers and applause] thank you so much. Thank you. Now i would like to taken opportunity to introduce a supervisor for the district who has been a fierce advocate for goodwill. Im so happy we really admire your willingness to tackle the tough issues and we really look forward to working with you. Thank you so much. Roger stole all my material. I was going to tell that story. But it speaks volumes, not only about goodwill goodwill, but about will rogers and the way it will has gone about this truly is goodwill. And i say that because he doesnt just walk the walk, he actually talks the talk. When i say that, i say he talks to the community. So when i freaked out, when you were leaving bay street, i thought, oh, no, i will have to drive further. Remember, i used to be able to go by city hall, and of course, the city and county has been linked with goodwill for many years because of that. I found that that they were coming to the southern end of my district. So appropriately so, and then he asked how who do i reach out to . How do i become a part of the community and she said i dont want them in my neighborhood and i thought, well, thats exactly what the people bay street said when they moved there that has been the case here. I want to thank you for really walking the walk and reaching out to the community. We have more exciting things that are happening. You will see soon, the mayor announced the mayor will announce a new partnership between the city and county of San Francisco and goodwill just down the street that involves tidewater. [applause]. I would like to introduce another trailblazer. This is incredibly meaningful to me because this is someone who ive known for a long time over the last six years. He deserves he got a muchdeserved Second Chance here at goodwill and he has gone on to create incredibly meaningful Job Opportunities for himself after getting after coming here, he had some justice involvement, he came to goodwill and worked in retail, and everyone his things everyone doesnt want a real chip retail job, but we really try to think about what people want to do. We found that this young man had an aptitude for technology and so we put him into an Internship Program and technology. He did very well. We hired him into our program. He did exceptionally well and then at some point, he said, we said you have to go from a hobbyist to a professional. And what that means is you have to get your industry certifications. And he said, i cant do it. I did not do well in school, i have struggled on tests, et cetera et cetera, and that prompted us to create a training in growth mindset to help everybody who comes through because we know that a lot of folks who come through goodwill have been beaten down and we need to create opportunities, we need to make sure that folks have a level of confidence in their ability and in their innate abilities. So he is someone where is mr . There you are right there. Dumping nervous, chris. It is all good. [laughter] what we are doing is i typically do not like to celebrate people for the worst thing they have ever done in their lives, i like to celebrate people for their accomplishments. And today we are celebrating chris for his accomplishments. He actually came to us about six months ago. He worked for goodwill. Im sorry, he no longer works for goodwill and thats because about six month ago, he came to us and said, you know, i got another job. They will pay me x amount per year and blah blah blah. And i have to go. I two daughters and i said i got you. You have become way too valuable to us and with all your certifications, i remember when you got your certifications. You to me after you got your certifications. [laughter] and he wound up we wanted saying you were too valuable, we will beat the offer and we did. And then about three months later he came to us and he says, will, they are offering me another 25,000 a year and we said, chris, that is a great opportunity. [laughter] which is really the points. It is really helping people. Our values are learning, belonging, and safety. And chris was able to develop the skills, get some certifications, theres a point in which she would never have been hired anywhere else because people would have labelled him in a particular way, but he did this. So we are here to celebrate you. We have a Little Something for you. But before, i would like to introduce you so you can address everyone. [cheers and applause] good morning, everyone. My name is chris blaser. It feels good to be here home at goodwill. One month before i was supposed to graduate from high school i was arrested and i had squandered my opportunity to get my diploma, which set a negative trend that my life would follow for the next few years. All the way up until i was about 23, i was in and out of jail. At the time, my oldest daughter was three years old and i didnt have a legitimate means of supporting her. A friend suggested i go for the goodwill to look for a job and goodwill hired me and gave me my first real introduction into the workforce. Soon after i was hired, as will stated, they saw i had the aptitude for technology so they moved me into a paid intership with their i. T. Department. They recognize something in me that i hadnt even recognized in myself at that point, quite honestly. They put me in a position to have a career, but they did tell me i had to go from hobbyist to professional, which meant i had to go out and get my certifications, which i am now a plus security and network plus certified. [cheers and applause] i was nervous, but google reassured me they were fully invested in my growth professionally. Soon i had Work Experience and tech certifications including the goodwill google i. T. Certification which i got right before i left. [laughter] goodwill of the only place where i didnt have to choose between working and gaining tech skills. I was able to do both. Their constant reassurance that they would help me do my with through my barriers to appoint to employment made me feel safe here. The diversity of the workforce gave me a sense of belonging. I never felt judged when i passed. And because of their willingness to invest in my growth, i learned here, which are the three core values of goodwill. Safety first, belonging, and learning. Eventually came the day when a different employer was willing to offer me more money. They were definitely happy for me, but they definitely said, we do value you a lot so we want to beach that offer, which they did so i stayed. [laughter] but as they say, all good things must come to an end. [laughter] and eventually i was offered a second position and like you said, that sounds like an excellent opportunity. You might want to go pursue that so now i work as an engineer as a Tech Consulting firm. [cheers and applause] thank you. Thank you. Now i have two daughters and they have watched me grow pathetic professionally and our lives have gotten so much better because of my economic stability. Seven years ago i couldnt imagine anyone offering me the type of position that im being offered now, but today i expect to continue to get those offers. I want to thank goodwill for putting me in a position to chase this career and just like goodwill, i ask you to take a closer look at me and my true value. I am giving back to my community by remaining a leader and an inspiration, especially to those who also may need a Second Chance. Thank you. [cheers and applause] [laughter] chris has one request to get a photo with you. [laughter] thank you, thank you, thank you. Do you want me in this . Okay. Im really proud of you. Thank you. Congratulations. [laughter] so we just want to honor chris today with really dont know why im a little. Lumped right now. My nervousness has transferred. You know how i feel about you and im incredibly proud of you. Thank you. So you are getting the achievement of goodwills workforce warrior. [cheers and applause] and this is in honor of your demonstration of a successful and inspirational professional pathway within goodwill and beyond. Best wishes for your continued growth. We know theres so much more you will continue to accomplish. We also have gift for you, which i hope you and your family enjoy but you have done a tremendous job both for yourself, for the community, for your family. Im really proud of you. I know your daughters are really proud of you. They saw you go from not working , to working, and now you are in the field, my friend. Trying to thrive. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. [applause] [laughter] all right. I now have the honor of introducing two people in the same breath that you might not always thinking think of in talking about in the same breath these are two of the top competing Global Tech Industries just saying. [laughter] google and microsoft, who are coming together. Lets be clear, you compete, we were coming together to support people with barriers to employment. I will start by introducing katy brown. Katy . There you are. Come on up. Katy is the Vice President of Enterprise Sales of the west region at microsoft who is a lead sponsor of our good will microsoft space and with the grant that allows for learning possibilities beyond what residents have had in their past welcome. Thank you. [applause] so thank you so much. I have to tell you it is absolutely in honor to be here and be part of this project. I am deeply touched by what i have heard this morning and all that has been accomplished at the goodwill. Chris, i think we might be able to up that offer if you are interested. [cheers and applause] come talk to me. I am serious about that. [laughter] i have been a resident in San Francisco for 30 years and i have had the opportunity to work for three Companies Based here as well. I care deeply, very deeply about this city and this community. I cant even tell you have touched i am to see what is happening today with goodwill and all that you guys are doing. Very much appreciate it. We are thrilled to be part of this process and we have been a partner of goodwill for the last 14 years. Jason ford who is on my team is a member of the board and unfortunately couldnt be here today, but very much sends his well wishes. We have been able to donate not only in software grants and in training and education and curriculum, as well as the building out of the maker space, which was incredibly important to us because we feel as if we need to actually help the people that you are training here, to learn some of those advanced hightech degrees. There is advanced learning and innovation that you will see. I really encourage you to visit it. We are thrilled to be here. We appreciate the partnership and all that you do for this city and worldwide. Thank you. [applause] i now have the pleasure of introducing the Bay Area Giving Program manager from google. Google is supporting a future of work initiatives that funds digital training and Certification Programs in partnership with goodwill and you spend your career supporting social Impact Initiatives throughout the bay area. Welcome. Thanks. [applause] thank you so much. Before i get started, you also have to take my call, too. Make sure we connect. [laughter] that is right. Thank you for letting us join this beautiful space. Im really excited to be here. I lead bay area area giving. We really strive, specifically to introduce make sure people can work with the economy. Thank you for being our spokesperson. Goodwill is one of the most innovative ones in the country and very near and dear partner to google. Was this visit to San Francisco in our meeting with tanya which inspired us to do a 10 million nation will nationwide grant to goodwill across the country. Since we supported this initiative, the goodwill Digital Career accelerator has supported over 93 good wills across the country and has helped more than 250,000 people received training and Digital Skills that are required in a majority of jobs, much like the training that chris has received. We are proud of the fact that goodwill is part of this program and proud of the fact it was born here in the bay area in San Francisco, in our home base. In particular, we are proud of the i. T. Support professional certificate, the program that teaches anyone who requires skills for a role. Without the need for a bachelor s degree. Nineteen people have graduated from this Program Thanks to google and we have had the honor of meeting many of these graduates. You all have met chris here today. We appreciate we appreciate the work you are doing. We are looking forward to hearing more stories like this one in more story like chris and looking forward to hearing the impacts that this new Community Space will have on the acceleration of the Economic Opportunities of others. Thank you so much. [applause] thank you. Last but not least, we have i would like to invite mar and adam. They are both from phil tangs office and Kamala Harris office who would like to share a few words. [applause] thank you, will. I am with Assembly Member philip tang. Something cathartic about being here 30 years ago about this week, i bought my first halloween cost costume when i moved to San Francisco. I was younger, thinner, think judy garland, that was my goal at the time. That was about the timing met you, too, will. Phil couldnt be here today, but , you know, San Francisco, i thank you said we are a city for everyone that works for everyone , and where everyone can work. Theres something really powerful about that statement. The state legislature has worked very hard over the last nine years to reduce prison sentences , review prison sentences, to make sure that we have opportunities for californians and goodwill has been a leader in that to allow people, as mayor breed said, with criminal histories to be able to get jobs and we want to thank you. And for people with Mental Illness and Mental Health challenges, they say the best thing you can do for a person with a Mental Health issue is to get them a job. So we want to thank you, goodwill, for all you have done. Thank you, google, microsoft, all of the other partners who have supported goodwill. We can only turn around the challenges of our city with the work of everyone and this is just a great example. On behalf of the state assembly, i want to present you with this certificate congratulating the opening of this new facility. [applause] hello, i am with senator Kamala Harris office. She wanted to send a quick note over to you all in terms of congratulating you for this new space and taking an oath to break the cycles and iterations of poverty. She was most interested in your work on working with the Young Adult Court and making critical interventions with young people trying to change their lives. Goodwill is a longstanding champion a positive change for communities. Best wishes on the brand grand opening of the new headquarters. [applause] all right. That is our program today. I just want to say, everyone, thank you so much for coming. I want to thank all of the goodwill staff and what we will do is there will be tours over here. Theres lots of classroom stuff and theres also food. Please enjoy. Thank you all for coming very much. [applause] [ ] go ahead and cut it. I went through a lot of struggles in my life, and i am blessed to be part of this. I am familiar with what people are going through to relate and empathy and compassion to their struggle so they can see i came out of the struggle, it gives them hope to come up and do something positive. I am a community ambassador. We work a lot with homeless, visitors, a lot of people in the area. What i like doing is posting up at hotspots to let people see visibility. They ask you questions, ask you directions, they might have a question about what services are available. Checking in, you guys. Wellness check. We walk by to see any individual, you know may be sitting on the sidewalk, we make sure they are okay, alive. You never know. Somebody might walk by and they are laying there for hours. You never know if they are alive. We let them know we are in the area and we are here to promote safety, and if they have somebody that is, you know, hanging around that they dont want to call the police on, they dont have to call the police. They can call us. We can direct them to the services they might need. We do the three one one to keep the city neighborhoods clean. There are people dumping, waste on the ground and needles on the ground. It is unsafe for children and adults to commute through the streets. When we see them we take a picture dispatch to 311. They give us a tracking number and they come later on to pick it up. We take pride. When we come back later in the day and we see the loose trash or debris is picked up it makes you feel good about what you are doing. It makes you feel did about escorting kids and having them feel safe walking to the play area and back. The stuff we do as ambassadors makes us feel proud to help keep the city clean, helping the residents. You can see the community ambassadors. I used to be on the streets. I didnt think i could become a community ambassador. It was too far out there for me to grab, you know. Doing this job makes me feel good. Because i came from where a lot of them are, homeless and on the street, i feel like i can give them hope because i was once there. I am not afraid to tell them i used to be here. I used to be like this, you know. I have compassion for people that are on the streets like the homeless and people that are caught up with their addiction because now, i feel like i can give them hope. It reminds you every day of where i used to be and where i am at now