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pan6467 · 07-31-2009, 08:56 AM

On August 8th, 2009 I will be having a fundraiser at the Today Club II, in Akron, Ohio, for the sober house I plan to buy.

This is the plan:

The 10 bedroom old group home was built in 2001 and is equipped with everything (sprinkler system, cameras in hallways, full basement, huge kitchen without a stove or fridge though).

The house next door that comes with it has 4 bedrooms: 3 upstairs, one down, and while built in like the 1920's, has been updated and is in good shape. It also has a nice sized garage.

My plan is to use both houses at first as sober houses, the 10 bedroom would be male the older one female and house manager. Eventually, I plan to turn the older one into a coffeehouse, where clients will be able to sell art work from art therapy and work to pay rent.

The garage will be remodeled to have a stage and sound system so that there can be meetings, classes, open mike nights (where clients whose art maybe music, poetry, monologues or short stories will have a place to show off their works).

The only thing I truly am wanting is help getting the money to buy it. The market is there for this and once a good reputation is built the rooms will be in demand and thus I should be able to be self sufficient and never again look for funding outside.

The reasons for buying it outright and not by loan are very simple, at $500 a room I'm looking at $7,000 a month, minus say $2000 for taxes, utilities, etc.... I'll have a $5000 profit per month. From there I can save a portion for those that may need help with rent and for the growth of the house.

The reason for not going after government funding is simple, I don't want the government to dictate to me how to run my business. I know this sounds egotistical and self righteous but I connect with those needing help to find recovery and have a way of helping them find it. The more interference I have from government, banks, business types wanting only to see profit and not success, the less efficient I'll be.

I want to be able to hire the help I need without being told who I can hire what credentials they will have to have and so on. My experiences have shown credentials and education don't mean squat when it comes down to helping these people. If anything it hurts. I don't want these clients to be a number, I want them to be the individuals they are and to feel respected, cared for and to know that the staff will understand where they are coming from and to show an empathy that is not taught in a class but by listening to one's heart and soul. I want staff that understands every person we treat can be as successful as anyone else out there and shows the clients they believe in the person.

I won't get that through government/bank/business capital people. They will only care about bottom line and not the people we help.

I believe that by helping the people regain control of their life and returning to society clean, sober and bet free, a reputation will build and "business" will grow so long as we maintain and believe in the above core elements.

Non profit? I don't know.... yeah, it's a tax write off for donors, but how much does that open the door for the government to walk in on?

So there you have it. I appreciate any help you wish to give.... just send me a PM and I'll give any further details you would like.

Thanks, for any support, the moral support means more than financial... wow what a business guy I am..... lol.

07-31-2009, 08:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	Unity House for Sober Living On August 8th, 2009 I will be having a fundraiser at the Today Club II, in Akron, Ohio, for the sober house I plan to buy. This is the plan: The 10 bedroom old group home was built in 2001 and is equipped with everything (sprinkler system, cameras in hallways, full basement, huge kitchen without a stove or fridge though). The house next door that comes with it has 4 bedrooms: 3 upstairs, one down, and while built in like the 1920's, has been updated and is in good shape. It also has a nice sized garage. My plan is to use both houses at first as sober houses, the 10 bedroom would be male the older one female and house manager. Eventually, I plan to turn the older one into a coffeehouse, where clients will be able to sell art work from art therapy and work to pay rent. The garage will be remodeled to have a stage and sound system so that there can be meetings, classes, open mike nights (where clients whose art maybe music, poetry, monologues or short stories will have a place to show off their works). The only thing I truly am wanting is help getting the money to buy it. The market is there for this and once a good reputation is built the rooms will be in demand and thus I should be able to be self sufficient and never again look for funding outside. The reasons for buying it outright and not by loan are very simple, at $500 a room I'm looking at $7,000 a month, minus say $2000 for taxes, utilities, etc.... I'll have a $5000 profit per month. From there I can save a portion for those that may need help with rent and for the growth of the house. The reason for not going after government funding is simple, I don't want the government to dictate to me how to run my business. I know this sounds egotistical and self righteous but I connect with those needing help to find recovery and have a way of helping them find it. The more interference I have from government, banks, business types wanting only to see profit and not success, the less efficient I'll be. I want to be able to hire the help I need without being told who I can hire what credentials they will have to have and so on. My experiences have shown credentials and education don't mean squat when it comes down to helping these people. If anything it hurts. I don't want these clients to be a number, I want them to be the individuals they are and to feel respected, cared for and to know that the staff will understand where they are coming from and to show an empathy that is not taught in a class but by listening to one's heart and soul. I want staff that understands every person we treat can be as successful as anyone else out there and shows the clients they believe in the person. I won't get that through government/bank/business capital people. They will only care about bottom line and not the people we help. I believe that by helping the people regain control of their life and returning to society clean, sober and bet free, a reputation will build and "business" will grow so long as we maintain and believe in the above core elements. Non profit? I don't know.... yeah, it's a tax write off for donors, but how much does that open the door for the government to walk in on? So there you have it. I appreciate any help you wish to give.... just send me a PM and I'll give any further details you would like. Thanks, for any support, the moral support means more than financial... wow what a business guy I am..... lol. __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"