Family & Community Services, Inc.

Co-Founders: Rachel Gonsenhauser, Linda Sullivan and Matt Sullivan 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, a group of us have been buying groceries for the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center every week.  We've worked with the Community Center's Coordinator, Helyne Walker, to deliver specific items requested for the neighborhood. 

We decided to extend our reach to family and friends to raise money for the 75 families in The Park for the upcoming Holiday Season.  Any donation will help make an impact.  

We included a short video and link for those that aren't familiar with The Park and/or what the Community Center does to help the neighborhood everyday.

Thanks in advance for your contribution.

Best,

Matt Sullivan, Linda Sullivan & Rachel Gonsenhauser

Veterans are a group that are often forgotten and only praised on veterans day, memorial day and occasionally the 4th of July, but the other 362 days of the year they are left at the wayside. Kent State University in Kent State, Ohio had noticed this and partnered some students with a Nonprofit Organization Freedom House  who provide long-term housing for veterans. This organization is backed by Family and Community Services who helped to found it in 2004 and in that time several hundred Veterans have taken refuge in the house.

Throughout the years wear and tear has taken its toll throughout the Freedom House; there are missing, worn down, cracked and unleveled tiles throughout most of the home. The veterans are grateful just to have a bed to sleep in that they don’t complain and Freedom House has so many other things to focus on like utilities, food, clothes and other necessities to worry about that the floor has been delegated to the back of the line.



The house provides tremendous value to these soldiers with all of the
services and benefits it provides. The basis of the founding was to provide emergency shelter to veterans in a housing crisis, and to provide support advocacy and referrals to help encourage self-sufficiency and movement towards permanent housing. The residents are allowed to stay for up 9 months and receive assistance all across the board. A case manager is given, there is music and art therapy, plans created to focus on self sufficiency and gaining back what was lost during a tough time.

The plan in place is to raise the stated funds to get these veterans a new, clean and sturdy floor to last for many years to come. We have contacted local flooring companies who got measurements, provided tiling options, and included all labor. All options were weighed and a quote of about $6000 was what was given by the company.                               

The soldiers risked their life for all of us and made great sacrifices that have caused some instability in their life that the least we would like to do is give them somewhere to stay that represents how appreciative society is and not a worn down home. We ask that you take a look inside and at your past and see if there is a leisure activity you enjoy that isn’t available in every country around the world and
then to remember these men sacrificed to allow you to have that ability in this beloved United States of America. If you can give in any matter financially it is much appreciated. 

"Go Forth and Do Good"