SECOND CHANCES

HELP ME FUND MY VISION- A UNIQUE SHELTER FOR HOMELESS MEN AND RESCUE ANIMALS...because everyone deserves a SECOND CHANCE!!!

My name is Dina Gerasklis Christman married mother,veteran elementary school teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a masters plus 30 in education, minor in  psychology/music, restaurant management and administrative skills. In 2010, I founded an organization called Chores for Change, advocacy for the disabled and homeless.  My organization has now become global, with over 1800 contacts.  I have learned much in these past years, particularly that many of my disabled clients were either homeless and/or in very dire straits financially and many of those are vets. Presently, I also service an encampment in Bucks County; collecting and delivering donations frequently. I connect people worldwide with agencies, organizations, and services. Sometimes it's just an ear or a shoulder to lean on, one filled with love for my brothers and sisters. Having now worked first hand with our shelter systems, I see so many of these citizens are treated without dignity and respect. This needs to change. I do not judge why they are where they are, but offer loving solutions to move forward, and in the interim nourish their body and souls. I feel truly thankful and blessed to have met so many wonderful people on this journey. My dream is to expand even more, devoting my life, my passion, to the following Vision; an expansion to Chores for Change, a unique shelter offering hope and a second chance.
I would like to purchase (or build) a property in an industrial park in or close to Northeast Philadelphia; a large one floor building. The main section would be a Men's SUBSTANCE FREE homeless shelter, HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE, BUT with a TWIST, (the uniqueness)...because adjacent to this building would be an animal rescue. From the knowledge I have gained these past years I believe I could run this facility the way IT SHOULD BE RUN...with DIGNITY, RESPECT and most of all HOPE. Upon entering the shelter my clients would go through intake,tested and receive a plastic bagged care package with clean clothes,& toiletries coupled with a brief mission statement and community living rules. Entry clothing will be bagged, then laundered in washers and dryers onsite. My clients will have two options to stay; 1) actively looking for work or 2) if they are not physically able, or haven't found a job they MUST WORK AT THE SHELTER AND/OR ANIMAL RESCUE. My facility will have a room of sleeping quarters with cubicles; including outlets for each client enclosing their beds/pillows/linens where they can store belongings in their own personal locked cabinets. There would be a separate dining room where three meals will be served along with periodic snacks. There will be a separate community room with a comfortable sitting area, TV,various game tables, board games, puzzles, a variety of DVDS, soda/snack machine, coffee and water. Off to the corner will be a library filled with books, newspapers and periodicals with comfortable chairs and computers cubicles. This room would open up to a fenced in courtyard with benches and an overhang. This courtyard will open up into a field where sports could be played; including a basketball court, volleyball/tennis net and a run for the animals along with a garden. There would be a small sprinkling system for the hot weather and possibly some grills. Bathroom facilities will be located in the community room as well as the hall and off the dining and sleeping area with ample handicap accessible showers. Additional rooms would include a computer lab , another room for GED and other classes of interest, an NA and AA room and finally a small chapel and chaplain on hand; an option for those who incline will be housed onsite There will be a small commissary within the facility carrying toiletries, magazines, books, stamps, stationary, cards, snacks, minimal cigarettes, loose tobacco and smoking cessation tools. Additionally a mini clinic with medical personnel to care for sudden illness or checkups as well as legal aide staff/social workers/case managers will also be onsite. There will be meetings held weekly for my clients to discuss issues, etc. and specialty nights...bingo, a crab fest, shrimp night, movie night, entertainment, holiday parties etc. Our daily schedule would be wake up 6:30, breakfast 7:30, snack 10, lunch 12, snack 2, dinner 5, snack 7 and lights out by10. M y clients who are not working will not be forced out of the facility during the day, rather encouraged to engage in facility chores including cooking, cleaning, laundering, desk duties or interaction with our rescued animals and veterinary staff daily. Adjacent and connected to our main building would be the animal rescue site where there would be safe clean and loving housing and kennels. My theory is that this would work much like Tia's in Pitbulls and Parolees; a dual attempt at SECOND chances to both animals and people. Animal visitation to the sick and incarcerated has already proven itself to be unconditional loving therapy for all...a "win win"! I firmly believe THIS WILL WORK. We, as a humane society need to offer our citizens and animals a loving respectful and hopeful alternative living situation while they are nourished to find their forever home. Donations of all kinds are encouraged/welcomed; from builders, services, food,distribution, furniture,clothing, service and talent.I realize this is a huge undertaking but I truly believe in my heart it can be accomplished through the love, kindness and generosity of others. Please, won't you help???
This proposal is hereby submitted for funding, sponsorship, investment or grants at this time.