Help us Save Kirkham House!
Tax deductible
Second Chapter Center - A safe home and community of hope and caring where everyone is loved and welcomed for who they are
Kirkham House, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, is a community family home for up to 8 children and young adults of diverse backgrounds, family situations, ages and abilities. As part of Second Chapter Center, Kirkham house was founded in 2005 by Michelle Barron, a single mother and business owner of a small independent bookstore, The Book House . She opened her home to became an emergency placement facility, and long term foster home for at risk children and youth combined with a supported family group home for disabled young adults
Most of the original core members are adults in their twenties and a couple have children of their own now. Michelle and Kirkham House have continued to be a long term place of support for these young people as they come and go and build their lives. Currently two people live at the house full time as well as two to three part time or drop ins and PCA's(Personal Care Attendants) for a house member who has intellectual and physical disabilities.
But now Kirkham House is in DANGER OF FORECLOSURE and the individuals who live there may be homeless in less than 60 days!
Over the last few years a couple of our main funding sources have been discontinued including our annual tent sale. We have been partially funded through book sales and donations through The Book House, but in 2014 there was a major upheaval when they had to move from their old building and Michelle and The Book House have been focused on getting re-established at their new location, and have not had the resources to contribute to the house.
Operating expenses, inventory costs, and payroll for the bookstore have tripled and they have been struggling with cash flow and construction costs with the move and haven't been able to raise the money to regularly contribute to the expenses of the house. Also, the director has had some serious health issues and been in the hospital several times this year and has been unable to help with coordination.
Sporadic funding and payments caused us to get behind in mortgage payments and housing expenses. Two of the grants we used to depend on have been cut. We have tried to refinance or modify the loan but have been unable to do so, and we now have to come up with at least $16,000 plus fees to reinstate the loan or it will go into foreclosure in 30 days! We are also looking into long term funding options, but we cannot move forward on these until the default payments are cleared up.
I know there are a lot of causes out there and a lot of need, but this has been a REAL solution that has worked for REAL people in a changing and uncertain world. The funds collected will directly provide a roof over people's heads and a safe place to live. Second Chapter Life Center has been creative in providing young people with very few resources to find healing and safety and a support system enabling them to thrive and give back again to help others. We do not depend on government or agency funding as the majority of our funds come through private sponsorship and individual donations and selling books through our business partner, The Book House. We have worked hard to be innovative and help people one on one. We are a small organization but we have a big heart and big dreams!
Please help us raise the funds to keep from losing this house. People depend on it as a home and safety net and losing it will cause an immediate and irreversible hardship and probably the end of Second Chapter's vision forever. Every little bit helps. Please consider a donation of at least $20 and also share to as many people as you can.
Thank you very much for your support
Kirkham House, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, is a community family home for up to 8 children and young adults of diverse backgrounds, family situations, ages and abilities. As part of Second Chapter Center, Kirkham house was founded in 2005 by Michelle Barron, a single mother and business owner of a small independent bookstore, The Book House . She opened her home to became an emergency placement facility, and long term foster home for at risk children and youth combined with a supported family group home for disabled young adults Most of the original core members are adults in their twenties and a couple have children of their own now. Michelle and Kirkham House have continued to be a long term place of support for these young people as they come and go and build their lives. Currently two people live at the house full time as well as two to three part time or drop ins and PCA's(Personal Care Attendants) for a house member who has intellectual and physical disabilities.
But now Kirkham House is in DANGER OF FORECLOSURE and the individuals who live there may be homeless in less than 60 days!
Over the last few years a couple of our main funding sources have been discontinued including our annual tent sale. We have been partially funded through book sales and donations through The Book House, but in 2014 there was a major upheaval when they had to move from their old building and Michelle and The Book House have been focused on getting re-established at their new location, and have not had the resources to contribute to the house.
Operating expenses, inventory costs, and payroll for the bookstore have tripled and they have been struggling with cash flow and construction costs with the move and haven't been able to raise the money to regularly contribute to the expenses of the house. Also, the director has had some serious health issues and been in the hospital several times this year and has been unable to help with coordination.
Sporadic funding and payments caused us to get behind in mortgage payments and housing expenses. Two of the grants we used to depend on have been cut. We have tried to refinance or modify the loan but have been unable to do so, and we now have to come up with at least $16,000 plus fees to reinstate the loan or it will go into foreclosure in 30 days! We are also looking into long term funding options, but we cannot move forward on these until the default payments are cleared up.
I know there are a lot of causes out there and a lot of need, but this has been a REAL solution that has worked for REAL people in a changing and uncertain world. The funds collected will directly provide a roof over people's heads and a safe place to live. Second Chapter Life Center has been creative in providing young people with very few resources to find healing and safety and a support system enabling them to thrive and give back again to help others. We do not depend on government or agency funding as the majority of our funds come through private sponsorship and individual donations and selling books through our business partner, The Book House. We have worked hard to be innovative and help people one on one. We are a small organization but we have a big heart and big dreams!
Please help us raise the funds to keep from losing this house. People depend on it as a home and safety net and losing it will cause an immediate and irreversible hardship and probably the end of Second Chapter's vision forever. Every little bit helps. Please consider a donation of at least $20 and also share to as many people as you can.
Thank you very much for your support
Organizer
Michelle Barron
Organizer
Webster Groves, MO
Second Chapter Center
Beneficiary