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UPDATE 8/12/2012
I have been sending lots of traffic to this campaign. I have a significant amount of unique visits and views, but I have not been successful so far with raising money for this campaign. Only $100 so far with a $200,000 goal. While I am a bit discouraged by the lack of interest in helping the homeless, I am pushing on with hopes for a turnaround.
This campaign needs all of the foot traffic it can get. Please SHARE SHARE SHARE! Stumble it, Pin it, Like it, and Tweet it. Please help by doing anything you can. Thank you in advance!
Summary
My name is Brandon, and I was homeless back in 2001. I was thrown on the street by my own family. Nobody was hiring at the time, and everyone wanted something in return for helping me (i.e.; rent that I could not afford without an income).
My sister drove me to P.A.D.S. in Chicago Heights, IL. just two days before Thanksgiving. It was at PADS that I resided until March, by which time I was able to get a job. Once I had a job, the same family that threw me out decided to welcome me back with open arms (and open hands). What I took from that experience was the fact that if I did not get back on my feet before April, I would end up walking the streets daily from April until mid-October because the shelters were closed during the warm seasons.
I vowed that one day, I would start a shelter that was open year-round and assisted the residents in learning key skills that have made me capable of being self-employed from 2002 to current.
What I Need & The PERKS
In order for me to make my dream a success, I need funding. I am seeking $200,000 in order to register the non-profit corporation, obtain the real estate for sheltering the homeless, and the equipment and materials to take care of and educate them in the world of business, finance, and basic computer skills.
I very much understand that for a campaign to be successful, it needs to fill a need and offer some great perks. Because this is for a charitable organization I am trying to start, I have to limit those perks to my own time rather than tangiable items. With that in mind, I am offering my coaching and consulting services in home business, or internet marketing. Those are the services I have provided for the past many years which now support my wife and kids (which I had after I got on my feet).
If I do not reach my goal, I am still going full force to reach my dream with the funds raised. Luckily, I can still make that happen once I register the non-profit and solicit donations. It would just help a lot if I can reach my entire goal.
I am beginning this organization in Galesburg, Illinois, but I have a goal of setting up shelters in every major city in America, as well as smaller cities.
How this campaign will HELP
You have an opportunity here to help out the homeless in a way that truly matters. You were taught to believe that all homeless were panhandlers that work hard to get money so they can buy booze. They don't have a lot of help out there, and many of those that do buy booze do so because they get the illusion of warmth from drinking. It really is cold out there.
When you are homeless, you feel as if nobody cares. Let's take for example Christmas day when I was in the shelter. They had a big Christmas feast that day, and presents for the many kids that were in the shelter as well. It lasted until around 2PM at which time it was over and everyone had to go until later around 7PM when the shelters were open again. That means that I and everyone else had to walk the streets of Chicago Heights in thigh-high snow with bags over our shoulders while everyone else was enjoying their warm Christmas day inside. That's when you really feel like you are alone.
With my proposed shelter, these people will be indoors and warm. During the day, they will learn basic computer skills which is a requirement in this day and age. They will also learn business and finance skills so that they can get on their feet, and STAY on their feet. Many existing shelters get government assistance based on the amount of residents they keep actively. This means that it's in the shelters best interest for these people to be homeless for as long as possible! Can you imagine? We want to get them on their feet, and keep them there PERIOD.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you want to help, but are unable to contribute financially or want to do more than that, then please share this fundraiser. Additional help would be great in the form of those experienced in securing government grants, or major donations once the non-profit organization is formed.Some information about me
I was self-taught in the world on internet marketing, and learned through trial and error starting when I was only 13 years old. My years of experience have lead me to become the most sought after consultant in the business. As a matter of fact, this notoriety is the reason I was hired as an expert witness in a major patents and trademarks federal court case over copyright infringement of digital property, in which I was able to win my client a half a million dollars.
I have been in business officially since 2002 and became profitable in 2003, and I have pioneered many internet based companies. I am currently a celebrity pr consultant, internet marketing consultant, and a full time blogger as well as a self-published author.
