The businesses get a perfect location directly across 101 from Palo Alto, with easy access on and off the freeway. They also have access to already trained employees. The nonprofits can serve new clients and place them into good stable jobs. And the Packard Foundation has a chance to realize some of its goals for East Palo Alto. This project is a wonderful model for helping our society cope with what is commonly called welfare reform.
Welfare reform is an ideal arena for cross sector partnerships.
And what if they worked with the local community colleges to make sure the right kinds of skills were available in this population. And what if a group of day care providers worked with them to make sure that there were enough slots in good quality places. I already see some pieces of it happening. And I am wildly optimistic about the outcome. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has.