Programs
I.D.E.A.
The I.D.E.A. Foundation for the Benefit of Humanity started from Hope which gave birth to a tangible organism in May of 2003 in the state of Washington. It has struggled since its inception as has Humanity in that time. The following Programs outlined below have been our sincere goal in response to that struggle. We have since come to the understanding Humanity’s condition will not change until the individuals that comprise it change the way we think and move to altruistic compassion for all mankind.
The Family Support Center:
The Family Support Center will provide child-care facilities; only these facilities will be available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, meeting the needs of the community. Through our research we learned that many low-income/single parents do not always work the convenient hours of 8am to 7pm. Although we intend to offer these facilities to everyone, the fees charged will vary and be strictly based on the family’s ability to pay. The objective is that those parents that can afford the fees will help subsidize those working families that don’t earn enough. Accordingly, the Foundation will also seek financial assistance from state, private and federal programs, such as USDA food program.
Included in the Family Support Center will be counseling and support for young parents who do not have the benefit of availing advice and support from their own families. This will include classes in basic prenatal and postnatal mother and infant care and how to create and keep a household budget. Additionally the Center will work with other agencies, both private and public, to direct families to other programs available to assist them.
Transitional Housing:
The Transitional Housing Center is designed to provide a safe and secure temporary home for those individuals who want to become productive members of society. Residents will be at least eighteen years of age, with no existing substance abuse problem. We feel that unless the individual has been “clean” for a minimum of twelve months they are not yet ready or equipped to turn their life around. There are other community programs better suited to address such individual needs in preparation for our assistance.
The Foundation’s goal is to help those who are ready to help themselves. After a thorough interview to determine whether or not the individual is serious about turning their life around, those meeting the criteria will be housed in the Transitional Housing Center, where they will stay for no more than one year. During their stay, the residents will be afforded classes in basic computer skills and job interview preparation.
The foundation will work with other agencies directing the residents to any and all programs that may assist them. All of this is intended to help the former homeless regain self-respect and feel that they can contribute to society. When a resident is ready, the Foundation will help them find affordable accommodations through agencies such as: The Fannie Mae Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Although at this stage, they are no longer residing with the Foundation, they will still be supported in the form of counselors and support groups. With the young homeless, such as runaway adolescents and teenagers, we will work with the appropriate authorities to assist them in reuniting with their families. If this is not possible, then I.D.E.A.’s counselors will be available to encourage the young person to resume their education in the area either through schools or Community Colleges for those old enough.
If the homeless are young families, then they will be directed to The Family Support Center, where their children can be taken care of while the parent(s) is(are) assisted in seeking employment through The Transitional Housing Center’s resources.
For those individuals that succeed in turning their lives around, we will encourage them to assist others, by volunteering their time to counsel those individuals that are beginning the journey.
Integration of Generations Center:
The Integration of the Generations Center is primarily directed at the elderly who are still active. We believe that there are many vibrant senior citizens who have a lot of experience and wisdom to impart. On the other hand, there are many elderly who feel ostracized by the technical/computerized world they live in. The Foundation’s mission is to bring together the computer-savvy young people with the life-experienced senior citizens to learn from each other and be of mutual benefit.
Another way the Foundation will integrate the generations is by encouraging grandparents whose grandchildren live out of state to work with young families in the Family Support Center, either as volunteers or part-time employees.
IN CONCLUSION:
The I.D.E.A. Foundation is community as well as spiritually oriented and realizes that for any program to work it requires the local community’s support. To this end, rather than operating autonomously, we promote community participation and involvement. We also encourage and take seriously any and all suggestions or programs to improve the lives of the less fortunate. Our objective is to supplement the multitude of State and Federal programs and help prevent the low-income families and homeless crisis’ from turning into full-blown disasters through lack of resources.
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