Monday, March 24, 2008

Sanctity of Hope Rules

A new nonprofit called Sanctity of Hope, a Portland based nonprofit is filling the gap to the homeless by providing direct services to the homeless by using a mobile RV. They also connect to the community and ask them for donations to help the homeless through a token system which promotes business's and citizens to become more involved in the solution to homeless. Their philosophies are not religiously based but more psychologically based as they describe on their website Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.

They served ham sandwiches on Easter on the Southeast side of Portland. Before they arrived, they had a crowd of people waiting for their arrival. The author questioned why they would show up for the holiday, but of course they showed up, demonstrating commitment and determination to change the perceptions and conditions of the homeless.

WE BELIEVE

Sanctity of Hope was born out of three beliefs:

1. We need to take care of the homeless.
2. Each of us must be true to our own convictions.
3. The needs of the poor should not fall at the feet of the government.

Sanctity of Hope primarily helps two groups of people. Group "A" is made up of members of society who, for whatever reason, are unable to provide for their most basic physiological needs. Group "B" who would like to help Group "A" but refrain from doing so because of concerns over ultimate use.

By exchanging the donations Group "B" wishes to give (but does not) for Sanctity of Hope Tokens for use by Group "A" at mobile SOH STOREFRONTS, Sanctity of Hope helps circumvent these ultimate use concerns.

Group "A" benefits by receiving assistance from members of the community (Group "B") that would not otherwise do so. Group "B" benefits because they are allowed to do the "Good" they wish to do.

Statement of problem:

1. Maslow's Hierarchy shows that physiological needs must be met prior to aspiring to "higher" levels.
2. Many people do not give to the homeless because of concerns over ultimate use - the ultimate use of their gift by the recipient.

Statement of purpose:

1. Helping communities take care of the most basic needs of its least fortunate members thereby offering HOPE for a better life.
2. Helping communities by reducing their concerns over ultimate use thereby letting them help their less fortunate members.

Statement of beliefs:

1. We believe a person's physiological needs must be met if they are to aspire to something other than undesirable circumstances.
2. We believe HOPE is necessary to elevate people from survival and safety to belongingness.
3. We believe the duty to help others falls on those with the desire to do so.
4. We believe people have a far more efficient and proficient impact in their own community than people outside that community.
5. We believe helping those in need circularly fulfills the need in each of us to help those in need.
6. We believe many people do not give monetarily to those in need because of ultimate use concerns and that by circumventing these concern with SOH tokens, more people will give, they will give more often, and feel better about themselves for giving.

Statement of Niche:

1. SOH differentiates itself by specifically targeting people who desire to give but do not because of concerns over ultimate use.
2. SOH differentiates itself by letting people distribute tax-deductible donations themselves as opposed to soliciting donations from them and acting as an agent on their behalf.
3. SOH differentiates itself by using a mobile storefront able to reach larger homeless populations.


We will rise, we will not apologize for anything!

Notagoodqueeronblogspot