Project Grant 18VSNWI002

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: CATHOLIC CHARITIES MADISON?S PROGRAM THE BEACONS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE SUPPORTED AND TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY.? THE PROPOSED VISTA PROJECT ALIGNS WITH THE CAPACITY BUILDING FOCUS AREA. THE VISTA PROJECT WILL SEEK TO SET UP A SYSTEM TO SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WORKING. (INCL. WORK GEAR/UNIFORM, TRANSPORT, FOOD AND INSURANCE). MAKE AGREEMENTS WITH 5-7 EMPLOYERS, A TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM MODEL DEVELOPED FOR GUESTS? TO BECOME ASSOCIATES. AND DEVELOP VOLUNTEER TEAM LEADERS TO ADMINISTER PROGRAM GOING FORWARD, YEAR-LONG CALENDAR SET WITH EVENTS AND TRAINING AND ACTIVITIES PROMOTING EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE GUEST ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST POSITION AND WILL SERVE APPROXIMATELY 100-200 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES PER. THE VISTA PROJECT WILL ALSO SEEK TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AND GROUPS THAN WE HAD ON OUR OPENING DATE, IDENTIFY AND TRAIN TEAM LEADERS THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR POSITION. THE TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT AND GRANT WRITER POSITION WILL REACH AGREEMENTS WITH MADISON METRO RE-PURPOSING UNUSED SCHOOL PASSES, FREE BICYCLE PIPELINE AND REPAIR STATION/CLASSES AS WELL AS SETUP AND DEVELOP A MODEL FOR CAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES WILL ALSO BE FLESHED OUT AND APPROVED, MARKETING MATERIALS FINISHED, AND FACE TO FACE MEETINGS WITH 2 CLUBS OR ORGS PER WEEK. GRANT APPLICATIONS COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED FOR $86,000. ANNUAL FUNDRAISING COMMITMENTS FROM 30 DIFFERENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS PLUS $100K IN GRANT APPLICATIONS THAT CAN BE USED AS A TEMPLATE FOR FUTURE ANNUAL APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING. THREE VISTA MEMBERS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOALS OF THE PROJECT BY PERFORMING THE CAPACITY BUILDING TASKS LISTED ABOVE OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS. THE FOLLOWING 2 VISTA POSITIONS ARE REQUESTED TO BE ADDED TO OUR GRANT DURING OUR SECOND YEAR: VISTA CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY PLANNER AND VISTA IN-KIND DONATION DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZER THESE TWO POSITIONS WILL ADD GREAT VALUE TO THE BEACON BY HELPING US DEVELOP SOURCES FOR IN-KIND DONATION NEEDS FOR OUR GUESTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH VERY LOW OR NO INCOME AND NEED A LOT OF IN-KIND GOODS TO SURVIVE AND BY HELPING FAMILIES TO NOT ONLY ENTERTAIN AND ENGAGE THEIR CHILDREN BUT TO HELP CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO KEEP UP DEVELOPMENTALLY WHILE THEY ARE LIVING IN A VERY PRECARIOUS AND TRANSITIONAL SITUATION WITH THEIR PARENTS.