"While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation's defenders, we can always do a little more.We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.” - Gary Sinise
Gary Sinise is known for several memorable motion picture and television roles, but I prefer his role as Founder of R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence & Supporting Empowerment). From special wheel chairs to costly prosthetics, RISE provides what is needed for the growing number of heroes who would otherwise have little hope of surviving the seemingly insurmountable challenges of every day life. Community Revitalization begins with one. Helping each catastrophically wounded warrior transition back into mainstream society is not an easy task. From working through multiple disabilities from fighting for the freedom of those of us at home, soldiers are returning tragically impaired, and in need of specialized resources. The technological needs of each catastrophically injured veteran varies, but the most basic need remains static: A viable home.
A Smart Home, Ideally.
In 2012, The Gary Sinise Foundation started building custom Smart Homes through their Building For America’s Bravest partner program, and in 2013, the expanded efforts lead to the formation of R.I.S.E.. Innovative real estate construction and remodels now serve to accommodate returning wounded warriors with technological advancements that not only support survival, but provide for thriving success re-defined. Smart Homes are the wave of the future, with technology the fuel. And now, Smart Homes have become a tool for empowering an otherwise destitute population. Now, they may, in-turn, inspire others as we continue on the community revitalization journey one life at a time.
Home Is More Than a House
"Personal, Safety, Dignity, Family, Independence, Confidence, It's the American Dream."
Smart Homes accommodate special needs to make the every day life, that some believed they’d never experience again, an attainable success realized. By utilizing adaptive technology to create energy efficient, specifically automated and easily accessible homes, our most severely injured returning heroes live rewarding & independent lives. Each new home, and real estate remodel is strategically planned to fit the specific needs of each recipient. This innovative real estate technology spans the basic to extraordinary: From wider doors, wheel chair accessible showers, automated doors & lighting, central heating & air controlled by iPads, to counter tops that can be raised and lowered. As heartening as the stories of these prodigious homes & brave inhabitants are, such necessary innovation is far beyond the financial reach of most veterans. Even those wounded warriors on settlement after being severely marred in the line of duty.
Technology for America's Bravest
Spears Community Revitalization, Yet Desperately Needs to Tap Crowdfunding
R.I.S.E., & Building For America’s Bravest program, will have completed or started a total of 35 Smart Homes for heroes by the end of 2015. Yet, for every catastrophically wounded warrior who benefits from this adaptive real estate technology, three more permanently injured heroes enter the long waiting list. Changing the lives of returning soldiers is imperative to community revitalization as a whole. So, crowdfund and expand! What if such innovative investing did fund this community-wise technology? We need only to remember Elvis Summers to be inspired: The once unknown & still quiet young man, who set out to raise $ to help house the homeless. This one individual, with no star-power, expanded the reach of his karmic cause, and is now helping more people. Summers has raised $85K through his Tiny Homes Huge Purpose crowdfunding campaign. This proves that the scope of what one well-intentioned person can achieve toward community revitalization is only limited by their creativity and drive. A large group, like R.I.S.E., could expand even more.
Related: Elvis Summers' Tiny Home, Huge Purpose
Celebrity Appeal Boosts Potential of Non-Profit & Real Estate Crowdfunding
Imagine, now, if a celebrity like Gary Sinise ventured to crowdfund the efforts of R.I.S.E. According to AdAge, the power of celebrity endorsement moving into the social media era, remains strong & lends to a greater “ability to spark sales by enticing consumers to learn more about the brand.” R.I.S.E. has a free celebrity endorsement in Gary Sinise, and also a very compelling cause. Two very empowering ingredients of a successful crowdfunding marketing campaign. By non-profit and/or real estate crowdfunding, R.I.S.E. would gain much greater resources to help a greater number of homed heroes. This year Patch of Land has seen a dramatic increase in real estate investors, returning repeatedly to the limitless profit and community revitalization potential of investing via real estate crowdfunding. The addition of non-profit groups, such as Smart Homes for heroes, to this realm of innovative fundraising logic is catching on as well. Non-profit organizations that engage the crowdfunding community now, will be established and well ahead of those who wait. The end reality is successful fundraising, reaching a wider network services and a much greater number of beneficiaries quicker, with less efforts than traditional fundraising. The limitless potential of Non-profit & Real Estate crowdfunding is not only inspiring, it’s the logical wave of the community revitalization future.
Related: Affordable Housing for Everyday Heroes
Which non-profit organization would you like to share with us? Would you be inclined to encourage them to fundraise via a crowdfunding campaign?
Would you like to help? http://www.garysinisefoundation.org/