THE

MARRON

HOUSE

T H E P A T H T O S U C C E S S F O R A G I N G

O U T O F F O S T E R C A R E K I D S

THE MARRON HOUSE Summary

I was aged out of foster care and had a full scholarship to college. I had zero life skills. I became homeless and alone until I met a man that invited me to go to Florida with him. He took me to New York City instead and introduced me to heroin. I had absolutely nothing to lose and nowhere that I mattered. I treated my life the way that had been reflected back to me my entire life as meaningless and void of all hope and purpose. Many years later I became a fully developed adult and the portion of my brain that governs reasoning kicked in. I was able to escape the situation and am now an interfaith minister w/a “park-bench” ministry to the aged out foster kids that live in our city parks.

Kelleyann Conway

The Problem In California, some 50-60 percent of all state penitentiary inmates have been in the foster care system. In Los Angeles and Alameda counties about half all “aged out” – at age 18 – foster care youth will become homeless in six months. By age nineteen, 30 percent of the boys have been incarcerated and the girls are 2.5 times more likely to have become pregnant than their non-fostered peers. Within four years, well over half all girls and boys are unemployed. Within six years of aging out, a third acquired – or maintained – a mental health issue such as significant depression, anxiety or substance abuse. About half have acquired a chronic medical condition and about eighty percent continue to experience some type serious emotional problem. The majority of our current annual $350 billion U.S. expenditure on social welfare programs go to and for individuals and/or their families who now need this support due to bad choices or actions made earlier in their life. Foster children suffer – and suffer greatly – due to poor and inappropriate decisions made by their biological parents and/or grandparents…and then from our flawed foster care ‘system’. Foster children are true victims through no fault of their own. For every child who ages out of foster care, taxpayers and communities pay some $300,000 in social costs like public assistance, incarceration, medical expense and lost wages over the youth’s lifetime. About 1000 foster youth age out annually in the nine county Bay Area. The Current Situation…Solution In 2010 California passed AB12 (later amended to AB212) extending the age from 18 to 21 for foster youth. They now remain in their current foster home, move to a different home or opt out leaving the system completely. They may move to a “supervised” group home while continuing to receive the $782 monthly government payment that formerly went directly to their foster parent and other benefits including food, clothing and transportation allowances. The original AB12 educational and other requirements to remain in the system and receive the monthly payment and other benefits have been continually watered down such that today there are fundamentally no meaningful requirements for eighteen year old aging out youth.

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Should a foster youth opt out of the system at age eighteen he or she will, in all likelihood, soon be included in the shocking statistics cited above. Should they remain in a foster home the probability of improving their life course is obviously low as the living conditions and environment will not have significantly changed…three more years of the same. Moving to a foster youth group home might well prove even more damaging than remaining in a foster home. Generally, the supervision in the group home is merely insuring no one frequently breaks the “house rules” such as assigned daily chores (cleaning the rooms, toilets, etc)…similar to a half-way house. The Solution The age 18 plus foster youth needs what they have rarely, if ever, experienced…a secure, permanent and constantly supportive loving family and family home. Most foster children reside in three or more foster homes…a significant percent live in ten or more prior to age 18. The recent trend in placement results in time spent in more foster homes – rather than less. States continually and quickly re-place children with their “currently reformed” biological parents or other close relatives and when that does not work must find a new foster home for the child.) The Marron House is, in many ways, modeled on the hugely successful Delancey Street Foundation. Jesse Marron and Willoe Maillet (bios attached) combine two decades of invaluable Delancey experience and will manage the Marron House…become surrogate parents. The Marron House mission is to provide the motivation, means and methods to ”aging out” youth of any race or ethnic group so they may pursue a path toward a successful and meaningful life. We daily provide group and individualized educational, social, practical and emotional guidance and support. In turn, our youth provide some twenty weekly hours of work and a commitment to enthusiastically advancing their education and work related skills while embracing the guidelines and goals of The Marron House. The Marron House Model The Marron House is a 501C3 non-profit organization. Generally the application for 501C3 status to

acceptance is from one to two years. We were accepted in FOUR WEEKS. We surmise this was

primarily based on The Marron House mission, model and the highly unique directly related experience

of Jesse and Willoe. We will provide from 16 to 18 young male residents with food, housing, security,

guidance and support in a warm family environment. No government funding will be solicited. All

residents work both inside and outside The Marron House…averaging about twenty weekly hours at a

Marron House enterprise while pursuing formal education and/or vocational training. The minimum

stay is two and maximum five years.

The Marron House will become self-sufficient through the work of the residents in the Marron House

enterprise plus “in kind” donations. The amazing historic success of the Christmas Tree / Decorating

project at Delancey Street will be replicated at specific locations in the East Bay but will not compete

with the existing Delancey Street Foundation sites.

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A “Big Brother” is assigned each resident on their first day. Soon thereafter a more senior mentor type

adult is also assigned the young male. The Big Brother and older adult meet quite often with their

young resident…and frequently all three meet. (Big Brothers and/or more senior adults may be changed

for any reasonable reason.)

Volunteers – some professional and some not – provide counseling, social service advice and contacts,

tutoring, specific area coaching and constant positive support, guidance and reinforcement. This

includes not just academic areas but practical life skills such as money management, daily and long term

problem solving, manners, interpersonal relations, employment seeking techniques and most

importantly….handling responsibility and accountability.

The Marron House is more than work or school. Fun outings, BBQ’s, trips, sporting events, games etc.

are ongoing…not unlike any large family home filled with empathic and supportive members.

But the glue that holds The Marron House together – makes it all possible and workable – are Jesse

Marron and Willoe Maillet…. the Marron House surrogate parents. Likely no two individuals in the Bay

Area possess their extensive and directly appropriate background, experience and leadership skills. (A

huge percent of Delancey Street residents have spent time in the foster care system.) A wise man

commented that knowledge only comes from experience…and experience only comes from failure.

Both Jesse and Willoe have “been there and done that” and not only survived but thrived. They are

members of a group of 6 to 7 that currently manage Delancey Street and after many years have decided

to leave together – marry – and open The Marron House.

Marron House Sustainability & Funding Needs

Details of The Marron House projected yearly cash flow through 2017 appear in Section 23 of the

Marron House Workbook. The business plan for the ultra-profitable Christmas Tree / Decorations

project appears in the Workbook Appendix. The below figures show no “in kind” donations and a small

portion of the startup expenses are capital – not expense - items. Year-end number of residents include

Jesse and Willoe. Should the Christmas tree project only achieve half its projected sales the cash flow

would remain positive. Jesse was the most knowledgeable individual at Delancey Street Foundation

relative to all facets of this project as he managed it for a decade. This project generated some

$5,000,000 for Delancey Street in 2013 and in 2014.

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SUMMARY MARRON HOUSE THREE YEAR FORCAST

(000 dollars omitted)

2015 2016 2017

Year End # of Residents 4 12 20

Income (Net of Expenses) 110 290 335 (Christmas Tree/Landscaping at two locations) Operating Expenses 55 157 213

Start Up Expenses 55 -- --

Net 0 133 122

It is possible – that the only required donations are for startup expenses and capital totaling $175,000 to

$200,000 (Stage 1) and the home purchase and remodel (Stage 2)

Timing

Much of the effort to the end of 2015 is to insure the Christmas tree / decoration project mirrors the Delancey Street model for success over many years. (The Marron House lot will, in no way, compete with Delancey.) The lot will open – only 30 days needed – for Christmas 2015. Residency at The Marron House will initially consist of Jesse, Willoe, and one to two ex-foster care young men. By the end of 2016 we expect ten to twelve residents and by year end 2017 we max out with sixteen to eighteen young members of the Marron House family. After much research we quite recently selected Pleasant Hill/Concord for the home location and hope to find property within walking or biking distance of Diablo Valley College (DVC). Over 50 percent of DVC graduates now complete an undergraduate degree (at a minimum)…one of the highest percentages among all California community colleges. The multi acre campus possesses the look and feel of a typical university. -4-

Why Support The Marron House?

The obvious number one reason is foster children simply do not deserve the traumatic life they have

experienced. They deserve help that can radically change their life direction. A second critical reason is

there simply aren’t “Jesse’s and Willoe’s” out there and without them the Marron House becomes

somewhat problematic. Their combination of applicable experience, knowledge and leadership is truly

unique. Equally unique is the self-sustainability of this non-profit model. No one will be calling in year

two (or three or four) for a contribution and there will be no government funding…or oversight. We

hope and plan for essentially all support to come from the Bay Area allowing any contributor to drive to

the Marron House and view the progress of the project and each individual resident. Many donors will

become mentors. And we envision the East Bay Marron House to be the first of at least five in the nine

county area. Our current plan calls for the second – possibly the third- Marron House to be all female

(and two of the five).

A big shout out THANK YOU to our early donors:

Jessica James, Web and Ginny Otis, Gwen Bell, Victoria Chien, Jon D. Lowry, Rishad Patel, Sarah Lowe, Claus D Nieman , General Atlantic Corporation, Eric Johnson(Sotheby’s), Rick Robertson, Danas housekeeping of Seattle, Gennyce Rediger, Melissa Chapman, Kent& Carmel Lowry Howard& Tonya Wood, Richard& Victoria Zitrin, Dolph and Barbara Shapiro, Helen Soo, Greg and Veronica Samoulites(Embellish Home Staging and Design) Harold Dittmir(Wellhead Electric) Bob& Peggy Wynne And to someone who has been there from the beginning …. inspiring, working and always helping make The Marron House move from concept to reality. THANK YOU GRACE ROMERO (The Brannan HOA)

These are the initial members of what we are calling “The Marron House One Hundred”…one hundred

individuals, families, companies or foundations who contribute the minimum onetime donation of

$1,000 with many donating substantially more to this incredibly worthwhile project. Those donating

$10,000 or more we are calling The Marron House HEROS. Those donating $25,000 or more are the

Marron House SUPERHEROS. The Marron House One Hundred’s names will appear in all literature, our

website and be prominently displayed at the Pleasant Hill/Concord Marron House home.

“Be not simply good: be good for some thing”

Thoreau

Jesse’s Bio

Jesse Marron was a resident of Delancey Street for some 13 years…the past 10 voluntarily. For

several years, he had been a member of what the other 400-500 residents fondly call “The Vatican

Council” (or “Gang of Five”). Those five highly competent - and vastly experienced in what they do -

individuals plus founder Dr. Mimi Silbert run Delancey Street.

Managing the five U.S. Delancey locations is comparable to operating a 20 to 30 million dollar (near their

annual budget) business enterprise with 400-500 employees times say three or four. Why times three

or four? The vast majority of these “employees” are multiple felons. Essentially all bring a variety of

serious personal/emotional problems including long term substance addiction when they join Delancey.

The five running Delancey (all but Dr. Silbert were once residents) first and foremost must focus on their

mission…to mold and prepare all the residents to become upstanding productive citizens living a

fulfilling life. To feed, house, cloth, educate, motivate, emotionally support and entertain the residents

also requires successfully operating several totally diverse multimillion dollar businesses…a moving

company, restaurants, Christmas trees/decorating, etc.

Jesse is the youngest of the Gang of Five (recently turned 40) with the next having volunteered

to remain some 23 years ago and the other three basically “founders” along with Dr. Silbert some three

to four decades ago. The five relied most heavily on Jesse to insure the businesses are managed well,

the new U.S. locations are opened satisfactorily (as designed, within budget and on schedule) and his

unique ability to evaluate the true nature and progress – or lack thereof – of individual residents toward

achieving their and Delancey’s clear goals. Jess was the lead “interviewer” of all new Delancey residents

visiting prisons, jails, etc. at least monthly.

Jesse grew up in Big Sur where his parents managed the well-known Little River Inn &

Restaurant as well as operating a landscape and lawn maintenance enterprise (whose clients included

Ted Turner, Clint Eastwood, The Post Ranch Inn and similar). Jesse’s brother now manages the famous

Ventana Restaurant in Big Sur where their mother was once the pastry chef.

Due to his position at Delancey, Jesse is on a first name basis with the current and past three mayors of

San Francisco, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, John Burton, other area politicians as well as variety

of area “movers and shakers”.

Just a few of the additional Jesse responsibilities (beyond the Christmas tree/decorations annual

project) and activities over the years:

Managing all aspects of the Crossroads Café for ten years with an average staff of 15 (gross

annual revenues in the $1.5mm range)

At night (after Crossroads) functioned as the maître d and staff trainer for the Delancey Street

Restaurant (annual revenue also around a million and one half).

Staff trainer for all Delancey catering businesses as well as supervising all functions/activities for

catered parties of up to 500 guests.

Performed, at some point, all functions in Delancey’s $4.5mm gross moving business (picking up

along the way a DMV “Official Representative” certification to assist the DMV in improving

testing, training and routines for all driving classes).

Jesse has been vetted and cleared by Capital Police, Secret Service, and MIB to work around politicians

from all branches of government. This is where he met/become familiar with a wide range of politicians

and celebrities.

Willoe’sBio

Like Jesse, Willoe Maillet was a member of the Vatican Council – but for women. She completed

7 years at Delancey St. with the past five being voluntary – her choice to stay. Only three females

interview potential women residents and Willoe functioned as the lead…number one. (Only about

twenty percent of the females who apply for residency are accepted.) This requires one full day every

week, but more importantly a unique combination of intellect, maturity, interpersonal skills, relevant life

experiences, appropriate intuition and overall sound judgment.

These “Willoe skills” are further employed as she constantly evaluates the progress – or lack

thereof – of these new female residents over their first four to six months. Willoe was in charge of this

“transition period” for an average of fifteen new female residents at any point in time. Obviously, not

all make it. She also was a member of a group of three that continually evaluates the overall behavior of

all female residents during their entire stay at Delancey.

Fundamentally, Willoe was responsible for all women at Delancey Street. “I function in the

capacity of mother, teacher, mentor, friend and when needed…discipline provider”. Beyond her female

focus and responsibility, Willoe functioned on the small “Board of Peers” that are charged with insuring

all 400-500 Delancey residents achieve and maintain the proper manners, behaviors and eventually

habits in becoming a responsible and productive member of any community.

Prior to assuming the above critical responsibilities, Willoe managed all Delancey’s building

supplies, taught G.E.D. essay writing (helping hundreds receive their G.E.D.), and managed catering and

private dining as well as literally all aspects of the food service operation at Crossroads Café.

Willoe was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Lodi, California. After high school

graduation she studied and trained to become a Dental Assistant. She then practiced this profession for

five years. Willoe is 35 years of age.

Due to her leadership responsibilities at Delancey, Willoe is on a first name basis with California

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, ex-Senator John Burton, Minority Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other

politicians and celebrities.

Contact Info

The Marron House Mailing Address 2124 N. 6th street Concord, Ca. 94519

Donations Make your tax deductible check out to The Marron House Legal Contacts

Rishad Patel Orrick, Herrington& Sutcliffe LLP San Francisco Rishadpatel@orrick.com The Orrick Building|405Howard Street| San Francisco, Ca 94105 office 415 773 5608 | fax 415 773 5759 | cell 404 542 3101

Sarah Lowe Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP San Francisco

SLowe@kilpatricktownsend.com Eighth Floor | Two Embarcadero Center | San Francisco, CA 94111 office 415 273 4796 | cell 404 861 5270 | fax 415 358 5780

Board Members (5)

Jon Lowry (415) 370-0559 Sarah Lowe (404) 861-5270,

Rishad Patel (404) 542-3101 Contact Info

Jesse Marron- Executive Director (925) 788-0626 Surlife925@gmail.com Willoe Malliet – Chief Administrative Officer (925) 768-2139 Kisskisswilloe925@gmail.com TheMarronHouse@gmail.com

The Marron House Workbook Table of Contents

Page 1. The Problem 5

2. Current “Solution”/Situation 8

3. Mission & Concept (Model) 9

4. What The Marron House Is 10

5. What The Marron House is Not 11

6. MARRON Provides 12

7. Resident Selection Criteria 13

8. Locating Residents 14

9. Initial Organization 15

10. Preferred Size etc. 16

11. Volunteers Needed 17

12. Overall Timing 18

13. Potential Advocates & Partnerships (Starter List) 19

14. Home Location Criteria 20

15. Basic Marron House Best Practices (Starter List) 21

16. Building Lifelong & Stable Relationships 22

17. Possible Business Enterprises (Achieving Self Sustainability) 23

18. Capital & Initial Operating Funding Needs 24

19. Potential Funding Sources (Starter List) 25

20. Some Initial Legal, Ethical and Tax Considerations 26

21. Preferred Home Design / Layout / Floor Plans 27

22. Methods / Techniques to Create “Homie” Atmosphere 28

23. Years 1 through 3 Projected Cash Flow and Detailed Operating Expenses 29

24. Current Unanswered / Open Questions 30

APPENDIX

Potential Big Bothers, Volunteers, Potential Advisory Board Members, Additional

Background & Data on Christmas Tree/Decorations and Landscaping Businesss