True North

11/23/2024

08/15/2024

UPDATE

The Board of True North sat down with the Leadership of DCF and discussed numerous aspects of trying to get this project across the finish line. We are looking for a few things.

It has been requested that we get a better showing of community support. One of the things they have a hard time wrapping their head around is that small town Western, KS can pull this off. If you have contacted us about volunteering and mentoring kids, would you please write a letter, send an email, etc of intention saying just that.

“I am (Name) and I am excited for True North to be up and running and helping kids. I would love to volunteer doing (activity/skill/making connections/ fill in) for True North and look forward to the opportunity to help.”

We need these letters ASAP. If you could get them to us by Monday August 19th it would help us immensely!! These can be emailed to [email protected]

Let’s show DCF that Western KS is sufficient for their needs!!!!

11/29/2023

Big shoutout to the supporters of True North. We currently raised the 3rd most money today! Exciting times.

We have raised over $14,000 today. A few donations given tonight are not in the tally yet!

If someone would still like to write a check tonight and give it to me tomorrow, I can still turn it in as long as the date is 11/28!!

Thank you so much!!!

11/28/2023

Today is the South Central Community Foundation Matchday!!!

Support us and ALSO get tax relief in the form of Tax credits!!!

By combining the True North Tax Credit program and the South Central Community Foundation matchday…. your dollar goes FARTHER, and it literally COMES BACK to you in the form of TAX CREDITS.

True North would appreciate any support as we try and finish the last few physical projects to finalize this long process of licensure.

100% of funds raised through both avenues are used for the physical improvement of the house.

If you want Tax Credits, reach out to Brad Lingafelter first.

If you would like to just make a donation, got to the link below!!!

As many know, the sprinkler system was installed but that comes with an expensive project to tie the house system to the main water line in the street. This was a cost we were unaware of.

We also ended up with a larger final quote for a fire alarm system because of the old nature of the house and the extra work needed to run the system.

You can visit the matchday website here

SCCF Match Day

09/28/2023

Yesterday was the Barclay College serve day. The HGS students also joined in!! The HGS students drew “Welcome to True North” pictures as well as a small group got to help build some bunk beds. Reed Frazier loved it because he got “to use power tools during school!!”

The Barclay students did weeding, mowing, raking out the freshly tilled garden area! They also helped to get somethings out of storage as well as deep cleaning two apartments and the 3 seasons room!!!

Such a great group of students and leaders!!

08/21/2023

Exciting day that keeps us moving forward!!!

The Sprinkler guys from Pryor Automatic showed up today!!! This is the last physical thing that needs to happen to the house.

We are officially hiring now. Anyone interested in working for True North and making a positive impact in the lives of youth, can reach out via email @ [email protected] or can call 316 293-9979!!

This has been a long grind that is nearing the conclusion of this stage of the project!

07/04/2023

Be careful out there!!!

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/ugNn_ELV_x

LAWD!!!

06/28/2023

A few more updates!!!

We are still chipping away at our tax credits allotment. A donation of at least $250 gives you 70% BACK in tax credits that are taken off your Kansas state Income tax liability…. DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR. Best part? If you have more tax credits than tax liability, you are refunded the difference!

Next, we have two new BIG windows that will be installed along with a new exterior door!!!

Rocking and Rolling!!!

06/16/2023

As we look to start finding those right people for the mission of True North, it seems appropriate to share a short clip that addresses the power of ONE CARING ADULT.

I will be FOREVER grateful to get away from the current stage of getting True North open. It is not my wheelhouse. I am not patient enough, or compliant enough at times. I know some have become skeptical, dismissive, etc. To those I say…. I get it. Shoot, during these stages I have been that way at times. But I never gave up, and here is why: I am absolutely FIRED UP to be a apart of the next stage. Being that ONE ADULT, and hiring a group of that ONE ADULTS (grammatically questionable, I get it). This stage is where TRUE NORTH will flourish.

The sheer amount of roadblocks, pivots, and at times insanity of a broken system WILL NOT stop True North from the mission of hiring a group of dedicated hard working people that want to be that ONE CARING adult.

While we start looking into the process of hiring and training, please consider purchasing our TAX CREDITS we have for sale. The state awarded us just under $140,000.

How is this money spent? This money can ONLY be used on home and grounds improvement. So things like our Sprinkler system, fire alarm system, upgrading plumbing or electric, the new flooring, a possible kitchen addition, and even enclosing the deck off the back.

This is an amazing way to not only help this great endeavor, but also help your own pocket book come tax time. Please reach out to Brad or any board member for more details!!!

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06/13/2023

Quick Update on where we are at. I hope you will take the time to listen about this crazy journey we have all been on. I have kept on battling, fighting a system that is broken, as system that Satan wants to keep broken. To all the wonderful workers that fight everyday for these kids, you are needed and worthy of praise. This is HARD WORK.

We have 3 exciting things.

One, all we need is a sprinkler system installed to be open. In order to do that we need roughly $30,000. We received $200,000 in tax credits from the state for our project. To clarify, we DO NOT have that money currently. What we have is the opportunity to receive charitable gifts up to that amount, and in return people get tax credits. These are REFUNDABLE. So, if you have $700 in tax credits, after a $1000 donation, and your tax liability is only $500……. You are REFUNDED $200. AWESOME!!!

Two, we want to start a ”Navigators Program.” I am looking to find 100 people to pledge to give monthly to True North. This can be any $$$ amount. I want people to feel comfortable with what they can give. $10, $25, $50, $100, $1000…….. whatever your heart says, that would be great. This money will help with daily operations of the home, and excess will go towards projects and initiatives (scholarships for Kiowa County students as an example) that benefit the foster care ecosystem as a whole. I can tie the Navigators and Tax Credit initiatives together as well. Tax Credits have a minimum gift amount of $250. Let’s say you want to give $50/ mo. What we can do is get a $600 check (in essence paying your monthly rate in a lump sum), and then you would get $420 in tax credits. WE CAN BE CREATIVE!!!

Third, WE ARE HIRING!!!! Once the Sprinkler system is operational and we have the final inspection completed, we are eligible to start working with kids!!!! The staff we hire will need some extensive training hours done and some background checks. So we have a little bit of an expense there as well.

We are looking at having a base rate of $15/hr. We have the ability to raise that quickly as we find the right people. Our goal has always been that this is a good job, that while taxing, is rewarding on a personal level as you see kids flourish, but also as a means to help provide for your family.

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY HELPED WITH THEIR TIME, TALENTS AND TREASURES!!! It is time to push this over the finish line!!!!!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me or a board member. They will get me in touch with you and we can talk!!!

Send a message to learn more

03/20/2023

True North had a busy Spring Break!!
**Putting beds together in the boys home!!

** Cleaning up the upstairs 3 BR apt for rent!!

** cleaning up the downstairs 1 BR Apts for BnB!!!

** Water problem in the yard was located and fixed!!

**Sprinkler system design is currently at the Fire Marshall!!

Slow and Steady will win this race!!!

03/09/2023

Fleener Furniture and Floor Covering has been busy at the house.

Wylan is putting in new vinyl in the entryway, staff bathroom.

They also laid new carpet upstairs!! Painting was done by Laura Gwin upstairs.

Still need to fix a door and a window damaged by a storm. They have been ordered, but like most things in our economy, not here yet.