We have five areas of focus:
- JOBS - Create Sustainable Jobs & Stimulate the Economy
The number one program in today’s economy is JOBS:
Our Program provides a source of employment for a large number of skilled trade and service professionals, as well as training and employing unskilled workers.
STEPS TO SUCCESS
The most effective tool for a successful business is drawing upon the strengths of each employee and creating a “team” environment. Most organizations today operate this way. With this in mind, the Program uses the same strategies to help individuals and their families achieve success. We provide a team of experts to guide the way. We also draw upon the strengths of each “Service Client” and give them an opportunity to earn the investment being made in them. We offer charity that must be earned.
The following Professional Team will be assigned to each Program Household:
- Social Worker (Service Client)
- Property Manager (Service Client)
- Trust Accountant (Service Client)
- Legal Advisor (Foundation Employee – Limited Role)
- Financial Planner (Corporate Partner)
- Credit Counseler (Non-Profit Partner)
When people become unemployed, they often feel as though they have no control of their future. Their self-confidence begins to erode. As a result, people feel discouraged and unsure what their future holds. It shakes their very identity and the way they perceive themselves. Bad habits that one may think is under control, may suddenly creep back into their lives with a new vigor that makes them feel even worse about themselves and their situation. One may begin to question their relationships and the way they are perceived by others. Unfortunately, turning on the news seems to make it even worse.
Unfortunately, sometimes this emotional roller coaster prevents people from successfully finding new employment. The stresses begin to affect their health and their family life. They become angry and frustrated. This is why it is so difficult to pull out of. Our Program is designed to mitigate obstacles and empower people to earn their way toward the “American Dream”.
- HOUSING - Provide Housing for Americans in Need
As part of our Housing mission, the Foundation makes home ownership and the “American Dream” possible for otherwise ineligible and incapable families. Some people are hopelessly caught in a self-perpetuating cycle of frustration & struggles that has impacted whole families for generations.Our goal is to make whole families stronger. We will place one family at a time into a house. With the help of the Program, they will become more than homeowners, they will become “responsible” and “educated” homeowners. They will have protections and insurance in place for their family members. In the event of their death or sudden long-term disability, they and/or their families will be able to stay in their home. We will prevent homelessness in some cases. When a family is responsible for its own family members and taking care of themselves, the government has less cost.
By utilizing a payroll deduction that has the majority of all household and living expenses included, we mitigate risk. It will help our clients build a better reputation and become better community members, and ultimately better American citizens.
PROPERTY ACQUISITION
One source will be foreclosed properties. (Note: we will only purchased homes that have been on the market an extended period of time, and have not recently displaced a family). We will be purchasing properties that require a capital investment (this will create our Construction jobs) and promote an energy upgrade (including weatherization).
- ENERGY - Invest in Renewal Energy and Reduce Our Carbon Footprint
Home energy usage in U.S. households produce 21 percent of the country’s global warming pollution. That’s more pollution than the entire heat-trapping output of the United Kingdom!The good thing is that energy-conscious families can reduce their emissions by up to two-thirds. If every household in the U.S. made energy-efficient choices, we could save 800 million tons of global warming pollution. That equates to more than the heat-trapping emissions from over 100 countries. That would go a long way toward stabilizing our climate. All Program Properties will have a weatherization upgrade to increase efficiency and decrease costs.
The impact of our Pilot Program alone means that as much as 16,345,600 lbs of C02 will be eliminated. It would be equivalent to planting 23,600 trees per year. The Pilot Program will create an immediate need for 200 new orders for our energy partner. This will stimulate growth in the industry. A greater presence in a community will also provide more opportunity for our Energy Partner to make more sales. It is a win-win-win situation for everyone.
Solar Energy Upgrade
Our renewable energy partners are vital to the overall vision of our organization. We want to assist in the fight against global warming and protect the future for our children. We see a future where more individual homes will have renewable energy. We see more people able to do their part to help the environment.By storing energy and using these renewable forms, there is less reason for drilling and mining and fewer pollutants will enter the air. The environment as a whole will be positively impacted by the renewable energy use. In many ways, this is a reason in itself to convert to cleaner methods of producing energy.
Most scientists believe that over a longer period of time, fossil fuel based energy will be phased out. If for no other reason than it simply will not be available in the long term. Therefore, renewable sources of energy will need to be used in order to fill in the gap. The impact our program will have, is to spur this type of improvement faster.
There are many forms of renewable energy products available and we will investigate each. The Pilot Program will use solar in sun rich Apple Valley, California. It has a high potential for Wind Energy Application due to the windy nature of the environment and the size of some of the properties. Both of these technologies need to be promoted when applicable.
Let’s say that a home is converted to solar power. The stored solar power in those cells can be used to do virtually everything in the home that other energy sources are being used for; including heating the home, heating water, turning on lights and using appliances. Some applications may even help you drive your car.
So, what is the impact renewable energy will make in this situation? The homeowner will save 50 to 85 percent on fuel costs. Because the initial cost of installing a solar system in the home is paid in the mortgage amount, the client will see an immediate decrease in their cost of living. Additionally, the environmental impact of our energy choices are critical to stopping global warming.
In the United States, it is estimated that only 6.1 percent of all needed energy comes from renewable sources. When you consider a renewable source of energy, you have to look at how applicable it is in the situation and how cost effective it is. In many ways, these are the reasons that too little renewable source of energy is used. Energy costs are again rising, and that makes renewable energy a more attractive and proactive solution to even higher costs in the future.We will partner with a solar company that provides everything from beginning to end, in order to ensure our Clients are receiving the best systems possible.
The decrease in the electric usage of 200 households will have a major impact on both the household cost of living, and on the environment. It will also increase the resell value of all Program properties. We hope to create a new type of household. One that is partially or fully self-sustaining through renewable energy. The possibility of selling the resulting energy to the local utility makes this even more effective. As a result, there is a drastic reduction in their future energy costs.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
As an added bonus, in the event of an emergency (Earthquake or other Disaster), Program households will be less vulnerable to the losses associated with prolonged loss of power. (I.E. loss off communications, food, and other neccessities provided through electricity). We will also protect our Program households with an earthquake kit as recommended by local emergencies service agencies and national organizations such as the Red Cross, we will furnish each property with the supplies appropriate for emergency supplies for the size family that will live there. It will include all the following recommended products:1. Fire extinguisher
2. Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
3. First-aid kit and handbook
4. Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries
5. Portable radio with extra batteries
6. Water for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources
7. Canned and package foods, enough for several days and MECHANICAL can opener. Extra food for pets if necessary
8. Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of the reach of children)
9. Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal.There are two key assets you need to weather an emergency, be it a fire, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack or car accident: supplies and the knowledge to use them wisely. The first asset is easy to obtain, and we will ensure our clients are responsible citizens, by having a well-stocked home and automobile with survival food, emergency water, first aid kits and other essentials. Education will also be provided.
Each property will be managed by the assigned Property Manager who will be tasked with ensuring all emergency supplies are complete and rotated for freshness. The Property Manager will also make sure all detection devices (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors) are in property working order and ensure batteries are replaced regularly. All fire extinguishers will be services regularly as well.
Serious emergencies result in more distressing and even life threatening consequences — contamination of the water or food supply, lack of medical services, or inability to communicate with loved ones for extended periods of time.
We have recently been exposed to many incidents that have demonstrated the complete destruction of everyday conveniences. Floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes are natural phenomena that have affected many individuals and families. Add to these the ongoing reports of power outages, and the potential for terrorist attacks and an influenza pandemic, there is a strong motivation for every individual, family, and business to seriously look at preparing for the worst.The Program is designed to empower people to survive and hopefully help others within their community. They will have a ready food supply from their garden and other necessary supplies from the preparedness kit.
THE BIG ONE IS COMING!!
The colossal California quake considered inevitable and long overdue is most likely to strike along the southern end of the famed San Andreas Fault and register a magnitude of 7.5 or greater. At the high end of quake magnitudes considered possible in California was the massive rupture of the San Andreas Fault in northern California which caused the devastating 8.3 quake that laid waste to San Francisco in 1906. The last “big one” of equivalent size to strike south of the San Gabriel Mountains, near Los Angeles, was some 300 years ago, and the average interval between such quakes in that region is 150 years.Not only are we overdue for a big seismic event, but we are woefully unprepared.
California Emergency Management Agency – News Spot
- Less Than 20 Percent Have Prepared Their Homes; Only 40 Percent Have Sufficient Water
- State and Local Agencies are Better Prepared Today, but Weakest Link is Citizen Preparedness
A majority of Californians have taken initial steps toward earthquake preparedness but more than 60 percent of Californians have not done enough to make their homes safer and guard their personal finances in preparation for an inevitable, large-scale earthquake, according to a recent California Earthquake Preparedness Survey.
Although state and local public safety and emergency management agencies are better prepared than ever before, California residents have focused on easy preparedness activities such as collecting supplies and making back-up copies of important documents but they have not done more difficult and expensive activities such as securing the contents of their home or purchasing earthquake insurance, according to the survey.
Key findings of the survey were:- Fewer than 20 percent of households have structurally reinforced their homes or had their homes inspected for earthquake resistance.
- Only 40 percent keep the recommended minimum of three gallons of water stored per person.
- Fewer than 20 percent of California households have purchased earthquake insurance.
- More than 80 percent of households have first aid kits, flashlights and batteries in their house but only 40 percent of Californians have made family disaster plans.
The California Earthquake Preparedness Survey was conducted by the UCLA School of Public Health for the State of California on behalf of California Emergency Management Agency, California Seismic Safety Commission and California Volunteers to learn how prepared California households are for earthquakes and where they get their information about preparedness and mitigation.
“The recent earthquakes in Chile and Haiti are unwelcome reminders of the devastating impact earthquakes can have on people and communities,” said Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen of the California Emergency Management Agency.
“It calls attention to the need for Californians to do even more to prepare for the big one. This study confirms that Californians need constant reminders and a steady stream of earthquake preparedness information to motive people to act. We continue to urge Californians to prepare now.”
Source: http://calemanews.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/study-reveals-californians-must-increase-earthquake-preparedness/
Our Program will benefit local emergency services by preparing our clients with supplies and education.
- HEALTH/SECURITY - Promote Healthy Living & Security
Healthcare Plan
One part of our overall health mission is to make healthcare available to more individual Americans and their families, also to reduce the Medicaid rolls. As the Program expands, a larger number of potential clients will be available for health plan providers and as such, we can negotiate a reasonable cost for a group plan with a National Healthcare Provider. The cost will also be partially paid through employee contribution to offset the cost. Having health insurance coverage improves access and quality of medical care and can contribute to the overall health of Americans; according to a National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2006.
The visit rate for patients with no insurance was about twice that of those with private insurance in emergency departments. Conversely, patient visits to physician offices were higher for individuals with private health insurance compared to those with no insurance.
Prevention Programs
In addition to providing healthcare insurance, we will provide Nutritional and other Educational Support. We hope to encourage families to make healthier choices and receive regular screenings and checkups. We will partner with our healthcare provider and others to identify and meet the unique needs of our Program Members and their families. Each case will be evaluated by the assigned Foundation Social Worker.
Each property will be assigned a “Service Client Gardener”, to maintain plants & home gardens. Each yard is a unique micro-climate that is affected by heat-retaining walls, patios, driveways, shade trees, exposure to sun and wind, elevation, slope and many other factors. Selecting the right spot for each plant can expand the number of varieties you can grow successfully. The program provides landscaping services which include environmental analysis to address each decision made regarding each property.
Plants will include vegetables, fruit trees, herb gardens and other plants the environment can support. Home gardeners can experience the same productivity and range of crops that commercial growers produce. With proper selection of plants and locations and the use of greenhouse structures, each property will provide a benefit to both our Clients health and the environment.
Whole Foods Program
In order to promote the use of more whole foods by all our Clients, we make whole foods easier to access throughout our program. Through education, we will also give them a greater understanding of the benefits. With this knowledge, every “Service Client” and their family will have an opportunity to make significant changes in their habits, ultimately making them healthier.Our Clients will benefit from a fresh and convenient source of whole foods while reducing their grocery bills. Nowadays, people tend to rely soley on grocery stores, for gardening takes too much work. By providing this service we will accomplish two things. We will create more homes with built-in resources and create immediate job opportunities for qualified Gardeners for the life of the Program (3 years) and possibly longer.
Each Gardener in the Program will also have the opportunity to market their services to neighboring houses not in the Program. This will have an even greater impact on the local community. Also, there will be a cap on the number of Clients assigned to each Gardener to increase the number of jobs available.
Click on this link to see the many benefits of whole foods and why we feel it is important enough to include.
(Source: http://www.whole-food-supplements-guide.com/the-benefits-of-whole-foods.html)PREVENTION is the most effective form of cost control in healthcare. Through program services and education, all participants will be able to make better choices and lead healthier lives. This will make long-lasting and life changing improvements for our clients and their families. As a result, our Program Members will be attractive potential clients for our Healthcare Plan and Insurance Providers.
Stress Reduction
Most people would agree that a life without challenge or even a modicum of “character-building hardship”, would be dull and monotonous. Studies have shown that too much challenge, hardship or change cause an increased risk of illness. Experts refer to stress as the “silent killer.”As an added bonus, the Program reduces a significant amount of stress for our Clients. Their house and car payments are deducted from their paycheck. They become educated and much more aware of the consequences of their financial choices through their Financial Professional Team, and as such are more prepared and are less worried about their futures.
We will also recommend classes in “Stress Management” when applicable. Keeping stress at a comfortable level seems to be the key to physical and mental well-being. By understanding what we are experiencing when under pressure and learning relaxation techniques and new coping behaviors, we can manage our stress levels with greater efficiency, thereby avoiding both panic and the health-threatening effects of stress. Since we are undergoing changes, twenty-four hours a day, it’s wise to start identifying and expressing feelings (both physical and emotional) as a way to smooth out the jagged edges of stress. Developing this ability also serves as a buffer zone to the times when the changes in our lives take a radical turn–in any direction.
Estate Planning and Taxes
Legal Advisor: The Director of Legal Services will author the Conditional Property Deed of Trust with the appropriate Client Specific information and will include are the following components:
Living Will
They will help the Client draft a Living Will to provide advance instructions regarding any long-term care in the event of significant incapacitation resulting in long-term life-prolonging medical treatment. This enables our Clients to decide in advance what happens. It will benefit the Client, their loved ones and their physicians.Without a living will, a debilitating injury could result in somebody else deciding whether you remain alive or whether you should be allowed to die. Planning ahead with a living will allows to our clients to make that decision beforehand in case they are later incapable of making that decision.
Estate Will
An estate will be also drawn up to avoid our Clients dying in intestacy. Basically, the state would bear the burden of making decisions regarding who gets property, without any regard as to their feelings toward family members, or any special relationships they may have formed outside of their family. This is a simple yet very important document a person has. It will provide directions for taking care of your children, your property and even your body when you die. This will reduce the number of children having to go through the foster system.
Trust Accountant
Next, a Trust Accountant (Service Client) is assigned as Trustee for the Trust Deed. He will be responsible to provide the most accurate financial information for the Client. The accountant will provide a detailed reporting to the Financial Planner (Insurance Partner) so the best decisions can be made regarding all financial decisions. The Client will be involved in each course of action and educated in all aspects of his financial responsibility. The Trustee will ensure all tax accounting needs are completed accurately and timely which will reduce penalties and maximize benefits.
TAXES: By participating in this Program, each Client can take full advantage of the tax credit programs available. After completion of the construction phase of their Program, the following credits will be available and will be calculated each year by our Tax specialists:
• Energy Tax Credit
• Income Tax Credits
• Federal Tax Credit Program
• Earned Income Tax Credit Eligibility
• Tax Credits for Home Improvements
• Child Tax Credit (as applicable)Financial Planner: Our Corporate Partner will provide financial planning services to our Client based on information provided by the Program Trustee and the Client. They insurance they will provide will be life, long-term disability. Saving, investing, and planning for the future won’t mean much if it’s all taken away due to an unforeseen emergency. The Program provides Clients with the necessary protections to reduce such a risk.
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- EDUCATION - Provide Educational Services to Americans in Need
There are great educational products available today for those who can afford to pay for them. Most struggling families can’t afford to go to the movies much less spend on educational extras. The Program will automatically include the following two products for the benefit of Program Members and their families. This will increase the potential of all the Members in our program.
Your Baby Can Read
Brainetics
Both of these educational programs offer so much more than simple education. They can truly impact a person for the rest of their lives. This will ultimately make a dramatic difference in a person’s life, and in the lives of their family, for less than the cost of a “toy” in today’s society. People pay more for a phone that doesn’t help them nearly as much. We will also partner with neighborhood community education institutions and encourage our Clients to take classes in career, personal enrichment, finance or other subjects which would benefit them. This will be determined by their Foundation Social Worker.
It’s a very small price to pay to provide the most opportunity for every person in our Program. The possibilities are as endless as our human potential. Who knows? We may help the next great inventor who creates the next innovation! We might help the next great scientist who finds the cure to cancer! This is a true investment in American people.
