Former Drug Addict Who Lived on the Streets Now Helps Others to Get Tech-Jobs

San Francisco’s homelessness crises prompted Vietnam veteran Del Seymour to start a social enterprise in his neighborhood of Tenderloin that provides “economic empowerment” to those living in the streets, preparing them for long-term jobs.

The workforce development nonprofit, Code Tenderloin, offers free coding courses and helps the underprivileged find local jobs with tech companies such as Survey Monkey or LinkedIn.

“We have no affordable housing. We’re full, at capacity – we don’t have room to build like other cities,” says Seymour – who was himself homeless, a drug addict and dealer for 18 years – adding, “No one can ever end homelessness. We’re just trying to manage it better.”