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Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Grant to Fund New Technology

A Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Charitable Grant will assist Home of Guiding Hands (HGH) to enhance health and safety for its residents with developmental disabilities and improve staff efficiencies through the establishment of a web-based software system that provides integrated documentation and communication. The $2,500 grant was made possible by the UPS Foundation and Rich Hallabrin, public relations manager with Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. (MBE), a UPS company.

“I'm pleased to work for a company that supports volunteerism and its employees’ interests in the community,” said Hallabrin, who has a longstanding relationship with HGH.

HGH is a 41-year-old non-profit public benefit corporation that empowers individuals with developmental and related physical challenges to achieve greater independence through residential and comprehensive support services. HGH operates 27 homes in San Diego’s East County area and annually assists more than 350 individuals and their families with a variety of programs.

“We’re delighted to support Home of Guiding Hands through this grant and look forward to its impact in our community,” said Stuart Mathis, MBE president. “HGH’s mission reflects our service objectives and we are proud to provide whatever assistance we can.”

The MBE grant will help HGH fund start-up costs associated with establishing a comprehensive web-based client data tracking system. “Data will be compiled in one online system that can be accessed at the click of a button, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will greatly increase HGH’s ability to meet the health and treatment needs of its residents,” explained HGH Coordinator of Information Systems and Security Lisa Sanders. The new system is expected to be operational by July 1, 2008.

HGH Awarded Seal of Excellence

Local Independent Charities (LIC) of America recently certified Home of Guiding Hands (HGH) as BEST in America and granted the organization permission to use and display the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence.

Local Independent Charities of America is a tax-exempt federated group representing charitable organizations that specialize in areas such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, protecting children, healing the sick and defending animals, as well as helping to inform, educate, and empower people across the nation.

The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that upon rigorous independent review are able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards in accountability, program and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the U.S. Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, a national employee-giving program in which HGH annually participates.

According to LIC of America, of the 1 million charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards. Of these, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence.

City of Santee Partners with Home of Guiding Hands

Grant Award to Improve Neighborhood Homes for People with Disabilities

The Santee City Council approved at its meeting on Feb. 27, a grant appropriation of $33,500 to improve six homes owned and operated by Home of Guiding Hands for the benefit of Santee residents with developmental disabilities.

These home improvements will result in greater energy efficiency, functionality, access for disabled persons and exterior beautification,” said Santee City Manager Keith Till. “The Santee City Council was happy to partner with Home of Guiding Hands in this project.”

The request for housing rehabilitation assistance was submitted through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public hearing process, and was determined to be eligible for funding from the city’s Redevelopment Low and Moderate-Income Housing Fund.

"We were ecstatic to learn of the grant award,” said HGH Executive Director Carol Fitzgibbons. “HGH is dedicated to being a good neighbor in the communities in which our residents live. Part of being a good neighbor is properly maintaining our homes, so that the neighborhood is enhanced. These funds will help us to do this through several projects and will also help preserve our homes for future generations of people with special needs.” According to Fitzgibbons, the grant funds will be used to improve homes that are between 30 and 40-years-old.  Each home provides for six very low income adults with developmental and physical disabilities.

• June 2007 - Coronado Resident Receives United Way Polak Award (PDF)

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