Operation FINALLY HOME
Programs
Budget
$5,100,300.00
Description
The average 2600 SF home, depending on region, costs $275,00-$325,000 to build. But with builder and vendor donations, that amount is covered with in kind labor and supplies. The average funding gap per home, therefore, is roughly 1/3 the total cost. We raise these funds from individuals, corporations and foundations, with a 100% success rate in our 13 year history. We also provide home modifications to veteran families in needs. These modifications focus on livability and accessibility with particular focus on accessibility into the home, kitchen, bath and bedrooms. This extension of our home program is in its second year and we anticipate that this will become a stand alone program in the near future. We recently added transitional housing in the form of tiny homes for veterans in conjunction with a high school workshop training program.
Category
Housing, Shelter - Housing, General/Other
Beneficiaries
Families
Elderly and/or Disabled
People/Families with of People with Disabilities
Program Areas Served
None
$5,100,300.00
Description
The average 2600 SF home, depending on region, costs $275,00-$325,000 to build. But with builder and vendor donations, that amount is covered with in kind labor and supplies. The average funding gap per home, therefore, is roughly 1/3 the total cost. We raise these funds from individuals, corporations and foundations, with a 100% success rate in our 13 year history. We also provide home modifications to veteran families in needs. These modifications focus on livability and accessibility with particular focus on accessibility into the home, kitchen, bath and bedrooms. This extension of our home program is in its second year and we anticipate that this will become a stand alone program in the near future. We recently added transitional housing in the form of tiny homes for veterans in conjunction with a high school workshop training program.
Category
Housing, Shelter - Housing, General/Other
Beneficiaries
Families
Elderly and/or Disabled
People/Families with of People with Disabilities
Program Areas Served
None
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| As we enter our seventeenth year of mission, we work diligently to find the most worthy veteran and first responder families needing the blessings and relief of a mortgage-free home or home modification. Beyond careful research into their service history (all of which are signed in release to us for review), we have four ranking retired generals on our board who serve as Family Selection Advisor's. We carefully vet the medical, military and service documents by interviewing the last commanding officer of the applicant. We are careful to help the candidates select the geographic location in which they choose to live--in what proximity is their family, medical care, community support, educational needs, etc. We want the home to be the full support needed for recovery, healing and beginning to give back to the community. This is one of the greatest but most rewarding challenges. A second is managing the vast multitude of projects at once, working with builders and vendors across the country. This task is made more efficient by allowing the builder to lead his/her team. Once the property is donated or purchased at a discount, the needs assessed of the veteran made, then the builder gathers the vendors together to create a budget of the project, including all customization needed for disabilities. We do not surprise the recipient until all the concessions are met for the home construction and we know the funding is predominantly in place. Our work takes place via Pillar Events: the surprise, groundbreaking, notes of love, and dedication. During these Pillar Events, the community comes out in support and final donations are received that provide the mortgage-free home or modification. The next set of challenges will be met as we increase staff incrementally. Due to the long-term goal of 50 homes per year beginning after 2018, we expect to add 2-3 employees to support the construction management, the fundraising, and the family selection. We will take these steps strategically and incrementally in order to keep our costs to a minimum and effectiveness in mission to a maximum. |
