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Kim,
As Michael prepares to move into CAMP House this weekend, I must express my sincerest “Thanks” to you for making it possible. You are the spark behind this opportunity for Michael and the other young men.
It’s never a small thing to let go of a child, and of course you know the additional concerns of letting go of a disabled son. I am very clear, though, that the cruelest thing I could do to Michael would be to not let him experience life on his own, to not foster his independence.
Life goes so, so fast … in a flash the future is here and I will be unable to take care of him and without independent living skills, he would be bereft.
CAMP House is his ticket to a meaningful life now and in the future.
Your and Dave’s foresight and generosity has made this possible. Thank you deeply.
In gratitude,
Paul
Read More:
Dear Friends,
When our son, Chris, passed away on Halloween, 2007, we set out to make life better for other adults with developmental disabilities in our community. Over the last two years we have created a wonderful network of community partners to prepare a home for adults with developmental disabilities to live in!! We have:
- Installed an interior fire suppression system thanks to the folks at Western States Fire Protection.
- Installed a Fire Alarm system, thanks to Ed King at Allied Alarms.
- Moved the washer and dryer, fixed the roof, enlarged egress routes and made a plethora of home modifications to ensure all health and safety requirements of the state are being met thanks to Charlie Paterson Construction.
- Patched all the holes in the walls and covered some of the sprinkler pipes thanks to Clayton Bundy Drywall.
- Installed new carpet thanks to Peak Carpet.
- Painted inside and landscaped outside thanks to the Singles Ward of LDS, Big Horn Painting and Dale’s Paints.
- Sanded and painted the picket fence and stained the back deck thanks to students from St. Mary’s, Palmer and Rampart High Schools.
- Created window treatments thanks to Wayne Keller Designs.
- Raised $80,000.00 towards a foundation to support the house thanks to all of you.
October 1st three young men are moving in and Cheyenne Village will oversee their needs. We thank you for believing in our dream and supporting it. Please come see the house and continue to believe in our power to change lives for the better.
With gratitude,
Kim and Dave Matthews
The goal of the CAMP (Chris A. Matthews Project) is to provide sustainable housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities (DD), with emphasis on individuals with autism and/or behavioral challenges, here in El Paso County.
Please help!
Your donation can be made payable to CAMP, and sent to:
Attn: Kim Matthews
1926 Wood Avenue, Colorado Springs CO 80907
(719) 634-8273
Christopher A. Matthews Project
“CAMP” CHRIS
Information
Colorado Springs Community Need:
- Colorado is currently 48th in the nation for funding for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- The state of Colorado is currently 3 months behind in payments for services provided to the developmentally disabled in our state.
- The daily rates assigned by the State to most individuals, do not combine to cover the costs of operating a group home. As a result many DD individuals are placed in DD foster homes.
- For many individuals with Autism or behavioral challenges, finding a foster home is very difficult and any change in daily living routines can be very disruptive. Changing foster homes every year or two is not a successful housing model for many of our DD clients however it is often the only option.
CAMP CHRIS Solution:
- To obtain free or low cost houses that can be utilized as group homes.
- To create an endowment whose interest can be further applied to meet unmet needs of the group home.
- To create community support and involvement in each home.
CAMP CHRIS Progress:
- We have obtained a 5-bedroom house, which can be used for $150.00 per month.
- We have created an endowment of $59,000.00
- We have a group of community leaders and activists willing to assist in planning fundraisers, building awareness, making state-mandated adaptations to the home and helping this grassroots efforts.
CAMP CHRIS Structure:
- CAMP is a non-profit organization registered with the State of Colorado as a 501c3. It has oversight through a Board of Directors.
CAMP CHRIS Immediate Needs:
- An interior sprinkler system for the home.
- New carpeting for the home
- Furniture for the home.
- A larger endowment to support the needs of individuals in the home.
- Painting at the home.
READ: NEW CAMP House Ready for Grand Opening! [Letter From Kim and Dave Matthews]
Please help!
Your donation can be made payable to CAMP, and sent to:
Please take a moment to read Chris' Obituary and Guest Book entries from the Gazette- November 2, 2007.