Meet Darlene Burke | Founder and Executive Director of Ten Toes In

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darlene Burke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darlene, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
PEACE makes me HAPPY because it allows me to see things clearly and live my life to the fullest!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am the Founder and Executive Director of Ten Toes In. We are a Mentorship and Domestic Violence Prevention Program. We support, educate and empower couples during and after incarceration. We assist formerly incarcerated men reenter society successfully and help them to maintain a healthy relationship with their female Partner. Ten Toes In is set apart from other reentry organizations because we address the component of Intimate Relationships as it relates to Incarceration and Reentry. Other reentry organizations focus on employment, housing, education and family reunification with parents and children. Our focus is strictly on the couple and the dynamics of their relationship. I am EXCITED about the fact that we have a 98 percent success rate of our Members not returning to jail or prison. In addition, 85 percent of our Members are gainfully employed or Business Owners. I am where I am today because of my FAITH in GOD, persistence and the support of my Family, Friends, my Church (Church One), our Ten Toes In Family and our Ten Toes In Partners. For the most part, it has been a very REWARDING Journey because Ten Toes In is fulfilling a need in our community and providing a SAFE space for our Members to share their Journey and not be judged, However, the biggest challenge is securing funding for our Programs and expanding our services. We operate solely on grassroots donations from our Members and community. The lessons that I have learned is that I have to always consider the “bigger picture” as it relates to our Ten Toes In Mission. In addition, I have learned that CONSISTENCY is the key to our SUCCESS and TRUST is the foundation of cultivating relationships in the reentry field. I want the world to know that Ten Toes In is changing the Narrative of how society regards incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and the women who love and support them. We represent SECOND Chances and giving our Members the opportunity to transform their lives so that they can be productive citizens in their community and Leaders in their households.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would travel to Santa Barbara by train and enjoy the scenary. We would then dine at Carlito’s Mexican restaurant on state street in the city and then hang out near the water. We would then travel rent a car and drive to Carmel and experience the 17 mile drive on the coast and then visit art galleries in downtown Carmel. We would dine at a Seafood restaurant and stay at the Hyatt Hotel. We would wake up and have breakfast, then travel to Monterey and dine at a Steakhouse on the wharf for dinner and spend more time near the water…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to Shout Out Artis Dyer for being my Partner, Confidante, Encourager and Anchor. I would like to thank my children, Davonna, Danielle and David Holloway for always supporting me in my endeavors and being the wind beneath my wings. I want to thank my granddaughters, Aaliyah and Alaina Marquez for always putting a smile on my face and heart. Finally, thank you to my mother, Tina Burke-Douglas and stepfather, Roosevelt Douglas for being the foundation of our family.

Website: tentoesin.org

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Linkedin: Darlene Burke

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Youtube: Ten Toes In

Image Credits
Image Credit to Ten Toes In…