I still remember my first day as a Direct Support Professional at 18. One resident, gentle and quiet, couldn’t name his favorite food because no one had asked him twice. That moment broke my heart—and built my purpose. Now, I’m creating homes where people with developmental disabilities are seen, heard, and loved like family.

THE PROBLEM WE’RE SOLVING:
Suffolk County has over 283,000 residents with developmental disabilities, and most face 5-10 year waitlists for residential care. The options that DO exist? Large facilities with 12-30 residents where:
• Staff don’t know residents’ names, preferences, or routines
• People share bedrooms with strangers
• Individualized care is impossible
• Adults who deserve dignity and independence are warehoused instead of valued

I’ve spent 7+ years as a DSP and CNA witnessing this crisis firsthand. I’ve held the hands of people who just wanted a home where they belonged. I’ve watched talented, capable adults lose themselves in systems that don’t see them as individuals.
Enough is enough.
OUR SOLUTION: CHERISHED CARE AND RESIDENCES INC
I founded Cherished Care and Residences Inc as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to create SMALL, family-style homes for just 4-6 adults—where:
✅ Everyone has their own bedroom to personalize

✅ Staff know each resident’s name, story, favorite foods, and dreams

✅ Residents participate in their communities as valued neighbors

✅ Care is personalized, not standardized

✅ Independence is fostered, not restricted We’re not reinventing the wheel—we’re making it human-sized.

WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR
✅ Fully incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 33-2718235)

✅ Professional board of directors in place

✅ Comprehensive business plan completed
✅ Registered with NYS Attorney General Charities Bureau

✅ Working with OPWDD (NY Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) for certification

✅ Partnerships with local disability advocacy organizations We’re not dreamers—we’re BUILDERS with a plan.

WHERE YOUR DONATION GOES
We need $50,000 to open our first home in Suffolk County:
$20,000 - Property down payment or first year’s lease

$15,000 - Accessibility modifications (ramps, widened doorways, roll-in showers, safety features)

$8,000 - Staff training & certifications (CPR, First Aid, OPWDD-required training)

$7,000 - Initial operating expenses (utilities, furniture, welcome kits for residents) Every dollar is tax-deductible and goes directly to creating a home where 4-6 adults will finally thrive.

WHAT YOUR GIFT PROVIDES
$25 = Welcome kit for 1 resident (personalized bedding, room décor)

$50 = 1 week of utilities for the home

 $100 = CPR/First Aid certification for 1 staff member

$250 = Accessibility grab bars for 1 bathroom

$500 = 1 month of property insurance

$1,000 = Wheelchair ramp installation

$2,500 = Roll-in accessible shower for 1 bathroom

$5,000 = First month’s rent + security deposit

 WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
The wait is over 5 years for most families seeking residential care in Suffolk County. Adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are living with aging parents who can’t care for them much longer. The need is urgent, and the gap is real. Small nonprofits like ours exist to fill gaps that larger systems ignore. We can move faster, care deeper, and innovate better—but only with your support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
 1. Donate - Every dollar gets us closer to opening doors in 2026
 2. Share - Post this campaign on social media and tag 3 people who care about disability rights
 3. Follow our journey - We’ll post weekly updates on our progress toward certification and property search

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
We’ll provide full transparency:
• Monthly budget updates
• Photos and videos of renovation progress
• Quarterly impact reports once we’re operational
• Invitation to our grand opening celebration This isn’t charity—this is community building. This is proving that small nonprofits can create massive change. This is giving people who’ve been invisible a place where they’re finally seen.

BE PART OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
 Help us build a home where 4-6 adults will wake up every morning knowing they’re valued, safe, and loved. Help us prove that “home” isn’t a building—it’s a feeling.
 Thank you for believing in Cherished Care. Thank you for believing in the people we’ll serve.

With gratitude,

Danaysha Douglas

Founder & President

Cherished Care and Residences Inc

Bay Shore, NY
EIN: 33-2718235 | All donations are tax-deductible