| Name | Corri |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Bischer |
| Home Address | 1135 Greens Road Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 United States |
| Organization Name | MiWakesh Foundation-2nd Chance Countertops Coalition |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | I am the founder and CEO of the coalition. It is my responsibility to find a location, partner with organizations with men and women that fit in the 2nd Chance Countertops category (those needing to find work returning from jail, stopped their education to have a child, surviving domestic violence, and anyone who needs a second chance to get started), find appropriate staffing and secure projects to be worked on and displayed. I supervise the hiring process and team training. I have an assistant, office manager, that oversees the day-to-day operations of the administrative aspects of the company. |
| Organization Address | 3235 Brainerd Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421 United States |
| Website | |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 4233203248 |
| Alternate Phone Number | |
| Email Address | Corribischer@gmail.com |
| Alternate Email Address | Wakeshfoundation@gmail.com |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | 2nd Chance Countertops is a coalition to help those who need a second job at employment, a stable work environment and it will keep countertops and sinks from being thrown in the landfills unnecessarily. We have four teachers that are carpenters and trained by Stone Coat Epoxy on how to use their product. These teachers will train our participants on how to do custom countertops, artwork, woodworking, and specialty trades using epoxy. Our first goal will be to create a showroom space for customers to see what kinds of projects can be done. As we work with local builders, our samples will show our quality of work, our creativity and be a selling point to their homeowners to order custom counters. We strongly believe by giving our participants this creative outlet and responsibility, will encourage them to continue with using art as expression. As they progress and learn the many ways epoxy can be used, we will allow them to also do art shows for themselves as an additional means of income. Again, using a medium they may not have seen as a possible means of income is a great motivator to continue on the path of good decisions. We will have an in-house mentoring program that we bring 7th and 8th graders (when youth are entering gang life in school) into our warehouse and show them how to do the same kinds of projects on a smaller scale, initially. This way, instead of being a mentor to getting into gangs or bad decisions, the conversation will be guided towards how art can keep them off of the streets and doing something positive, creative, and financial gain. Many former gang members site the "family" environment of being in a gang as one reason why they joined. We wish to create that for them in the art field. Also, many are looking for a way to make a quick dollar. Showing them that their art, their creativity, and their passion can also bring them financial gain will help motivate them and show them that they ARE enough, just as they are and they can stop looking to be someone or something else. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | Our art coaliton fits directly under addressing violence in the streets. This city has a gang problem because of a lack of resources, skillset, resources, and direction for our youth. Our coalition addresses each one of these contributing factors to the development and continuation of gangs. We understand that it is not an easy thing to come out of jail a felon with nothing, nobody, and without any skills to speak of to make money. So, what do you do? Go back to what you know. We are here to break this cycle. We give both parties the responsibility of helping one another in our coalition. Our youth help the participants because they are there to listen to the participants. The participants are there to attempt to prevent another child from going down the path they went. This coalition will work with the right staffing and the materials, location we need to be productive. When are youth and participants are busy being creative with epoxy and woodworking in their hands, they do not have the time or desire to have a gun in their hand. Our working hours will include extended hours of the evenings (3-9pm) when most kids can get in trouble, and on the weekends (Friday-Sunday) when it is also a time of opportunity to bad decisions. We will use the weekend time to have art shows, practice techniques, and have life skills classes, including learning to play chess and make custom ceramic chess sets. If kids have something positive to do, a family to hang out with that they are cared about and loved, they are less likely to make negative choices. This is exactly where we plan to be. |
| Where would your project take place? | We have several locations available in Chattanooga TN |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 324170.00 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | No |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | |
| If funded, when would your project start? | August 15, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 1 year |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | There are several markers we will use to measure progress. 1) Having participants want to join our program-Base number is 10 2) Retaining 5-7 that are able to successfully create with the epoxy and additional additives and materials. 3) How many are able to transition from countertops to artistic projects they can create themselves 4) Personal participation in life skills classes (including chess sets) 5) How many start and complete the in-house mentoring program? 6)How many we are able to retain as full-time employees of 2nd Chance and elevate them to higher levels of responsibility 7) # of students we can keep from joining gang activity and choose a different life for themselves, including college or trade school or continue in the art field. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | We lose our youth to gangs because they may not have structure and accountability at home. Our culture will adress the accountability of not only our coalition and the steps we are striving for, but also the goals of the participants in our program. We will hold those returning home to the responsibiilty given to them by allowing them to share their story with a younger generation. This is a personal accountability that cannot be measured, except by a man or woman's word. We need all parties involved, including us as coalition managers. All aspects will be transparent from negotiations regarding artwork and galley pricing. We will negotiate pricing with participants prior to holding any art sales or participate in any functions. We will all receive a written contract that explains the expectations of both parties. This is not limited to participation in the coalition, productivity of art pieces, participation in any group discussions and if needed, personal counseling. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | Our coalition benefits the community in several ways. One, we have those who have served their time that now need a positive outlet to keep them from returning to the life that they were used to, a life of crime. Our projects consist of rehabbing 100's of countertops that would normally be thrown away. We are helping the environment by reusing materials that would unnecessarily fill already overfilled landfills. We are helping the youth get a first-hand conversation with people that they may think they look up to, but never really had a one-on-one conversation with. This can be a game-changer in their decision-making process to join a gang or not. ART!! We are creating art and we know that the population we are speaking of is an underrepresented population in the art world. This is an amazing opportunity to highlight their many gifts and talents. My Nana would always pray for us to be protected from dangers seen and unseen. I thought about her when putting this idea on paper...we do know that the impact this coalition could have on one life could be the difference in saving 100 or 1000 lives because of the ripple effect of our guys and girls telling their story. You have the power to make this a reality by approving this opportunity for us to be the change we are trying to be in the world. The dollars are there, we need the opportunity. Thank you. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | We will attract community buy-in by introducing our artists as Epoxy Artist. Simply put. It is up to the artist to share with art show visitors their story if they wish to, but for our purposes, we are putting on an art show and we want that to be the merit. We will collaborate with ArtsBuild, Rise, and the City of Chattanooga's Art Division to coordinate shows and other exhibits to display our participant's work. We have an agreement to work with a local chess program to make custom chess boards and sets for their classes and tournaments. Our boards will be part of the prize package for their nationwide tournaments. We will offer small craft classes for the community to participate in for youth and adults alike. |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | We are worth this chance. Our youth are worth it. By approving this coalition, you would be part of something much bigger than yourself. This is about people, art, and 2nd Chances. I pray that you see that. |