Project Wreckless

Project Wreckless is a capacity development program that targets the most at-risk youth in San Francisco - those who are more likely to drop out of school, abuse substances, or engage in criminal activity.

Project Wreckless provides the “tools for life” through an immersive curriculum centered around the restoration of classic cars. Our program is unique in that our youth rotate through a unique set of job roles necessary for the effective operations of an auto shop. Quantitative skills learned include auto mechanics, accounting, responsible social media, public speaking, scheduling, and budgeting. Qualitative skills learned include teamwork, collaboration, conflict resolution, people management, and communication. Together, these qualitative and quantitative skills comprise the “tools for life” toolbox that Project Wreckless provides to each student. At Project Wreckless, we expect more of our youth, so they gain the confidence to expect more from themselves.

OUR ‘RESTORATION TO MARKET’ REVENUE MODEL

Over the course of 6 months, Project Wreckless restores a classic car from the ground up. 12 youth, every six months, are empow­ered to lead all aspects of the project from design to sale and everything in between. Powered by a curriculum that is designed from trauma-informed and restorative justice models, our youth gain life skills as they rotate through our 7 job roles with increasing responsibility.

AUTO TECHNICIAN - diagnose, inspect, and repair project vehicles in the shop.

PROGRAM MANAGER - team leader - responsible for making informed decisions to plan and oversee the current project.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER - manage the budget for the current project and oversee its implementation.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER - coordinate the team to best utilize each youths' talents.

PARTS MANAGER - manage the inventory of old and new parts for the current project.

SAFETY MANAGER - inspect and monitor shop for safety + compliance.

COMMUNITY MANAGER - communicate, celebrate and amplify our mission as a spokesperson for Project Wreckless.

Upon completion of the build, the car that cost $50,000 to build is sold at a national auction with a target sale price of over $100,000. 100% of the proceeds of the sale feed directly back into the next program cycle, the next cohort of youth, and the next revenue-generating build.

Because our revenue model allows us to incorporate valuable organizational, budgeting and marketing skills into our curriculum, it sets Project Wreckless apart from other organizations. Our self-sustaining revenue model enables us to focus 100% of our donated funds on programmatic expansion and direct youth impact, and ensures Project Wreckless will be a pillar of San Francisco for years to come.

Since we opened our doors two years ago, our strategy for success falls directly on the shoulders of our committed staff, local leaders, the City of San Francisco and graduates from previous programs–– and of course, our donors.

Project Wreckless has successfully provided mentorship, skill-building, and support for our youth. In these few short years, we've had 20 youth participate in our program to date. As our program and curriculum grows, so too has our strategy for success. Increasingly Project Wreckless has brought on private partners to help make our youths' dreams become realities. These partnerships include Slack, Charles Schwabb, Microsoft, Polestar, and many more.

At Project Wreckless, we believe we are only as strong and capable as the community of people we bring to the table.

Our committed family of staff, board members and volunteers allow us to meet the goals we set for ourselves. Additionally, Project Wreckless is honored and proud to have the continued support from the following partners, and the city of San Francisco at large:

YMCA
Bayview Youth Services https://bayviewci.org/core-programs/youth-services/
San Francisco Police Department
San Francisco District Attorney’s Office
San Francisco Mayor’s Officer of Economic and Workforce Development
San Francisco Department of Environment
NPU, Inc. https://nonplusultrainc.com
The Gumball 3000 Foundation https://gumball3000.com/blog/foundation
California State Assembly

Partnerships are crucial to the sustainability of Project Wreckless. Our partners support our mission and validate the need for and the positive impact our program has in the community.

Project Wreckless has been a part of San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood for over two years. When looking for a home for Project Wreckless, we knew it was important to make a positive impact not only on the youth participating in the program, but on the community as a whole. In January 2017, our Board of Directors purchased the blighted building of 1449 Mendell Street, at the corner of 3rd and Palou. This is one of the central hubs of the Bayview, and also has the worst crime rate. The selection of this location was intentional, so the positive impact we are making in the community can have the most reach. Over the past two years, the Project Wreckless Board of Directors has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the building, and more importantly, thousands of hours connecting with the community, neighbors, and Bayview locals. To date, the space has been donated to Project Wreckless to call home. This purchase solidifies our commitment and dedication to making a positive impact on the Bayview community.

Project Wreckless has sponsored and supported numerous community activations, including National Night Out at the Opera House, Butcher Town Jazz Festival, The Community Pumpkin Patch, Bayview Uncorked, Bayview Pop Up Market, and more. In 2019, Project Wreckless partnered with The Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development and City Parks Alliance to pioneer the Public Space Initiative at Mendell Plaza. This initiative activates Mendell Plaza every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between the hours of 4pm - 7pm. Activa­tion creates community, community creates a neighborhood and a neighborhood creates a home.

It is common knowledge that Project Wreckless welcomes everyone that comes through the doors of our garage as our friends. We appreciate getting to know them, hearing their stories of growing up in the neighborhood, and discovering truly what the Bayview means to them. Project Wreckless is committed to serving the community of the Bayview now and for the sustainable future. Our vision is to expand Project Wreckless across the country to other communities, like San Francisco’s Bayview, who truly need and will benefit from a strong community-building and workforce-developing program like Project Wreckless.