SJEC Community Center Englewood
Tax deductible
THE BACKGROUND:
On August 4th, 2018 Vasudevareddy Kethireddy went missing in the Englewood neighborhood. Mr. Reddy, as he was referred to throughout Englewood, was a landlord in the community for over 15 years. On September 28th, his body was discovered in a sewer at 62nd and May. Although his life was taken, Mr. Reddy would not harbor hate or anger for anybody. Instead, he was focused on his faith and the belief that prayer and love could solve any of his problems.
The Vasudeva Kethireddy Foundation is raising funds and awareness for causes supporting the Englewood community. The SJEC Community Center 501(c)(3) will provide Englewood children with a controlled, constructive environment outside of school along with positive role models and outlets for children to connect to.
In recent months, we have seen many reminders of the delicate state of the youth in inner city Chicago, especially in the Englewood community. Recent headlines continue to highlight the risk our children our under. It is believed that a large part of the problem is the lack of controlled, constructive environments for the young people to be in during the hours immediately after school. We also have a lack of positive role models and outlets for children to connect to. There is also a lack of educational reinforcement outside of the schools.
THE ASK:
This funding will be used to renovate the east wing of the SJEC facility to accommodate a recreational center. The space is approximately 4,400 square feet. This center will be open to the community as a safe space for kids to sit and do homework, participate in recreational activities, or have some company. We are attempting to raise $75,000 in the memory of Vasudeva Kethireddy to support the buildout of the SJEC recreation center. No donation is too small. Donations are tax deductible. If you are interested in donating outside of cash, we are also looking for any donations of materials or labor.
THE PLAN:
The goal is to have the recreational area fully functional and open daily, at minimum 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm on Monday thru Friday. A reasonable estimated opening date is June 2019. During the summer, we hope to have extended hours. Initially, volunteer workers will staff this project.
This program will be open to all students ages 18 and under. No one will be turned away based on gender, income, ethnicity or other social demographics. Although we may have some exceptions, we believe that most of the attendees will be from the Englewood community.
Our long-term goal is to have a fully functioning full-time community center that will serve as a resource center to service the needs of the youth and adults in the community. There is even a plan to offer early childhood development and parenting programs.
PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT:
It is estimated that it will take approximately $174,000 to complete the renovations to this space for use. Based on our preliminary research these funds will cover the materials and labor:
Walls including drywall, paint and padding (where necessary): $15,000
Athletic quality flooring: $55,000
Heating and cooling system: $25,000
Roofing: $35,000
Commercial entrance doors: $15,000
Electrical work: $15,000
Computers/printers: $6,000
Athletic equipment/game tables/other entertainment equipment: $5,000
Miscellaneous items: $3,000
Total renovation budget for recreational center: $174,000
On August 4th, 2018 Vasudevareddy Kethireddy went missing in the Englewood neighborhood. Mr. Reddy, as he was referred to throughout Englewood, was a landlord in the community for over 15 years. On September 28th, his body was discovered in a sewer at 62nd and May. Although his life was taken, Mr. Reddy would not harbor hate or anger for anybody. Instead, he was focused on his faith and the belief that prayer and love could solve any of his problems.
The Vasudeva Kethireddy Foundation is raising funds and awareness for causes supporting the Englewood community. The SJEC Community Center 501(c)(3) will provide Englewood children with a controlled, constructive environment outside of school along with positive role models and outlets for children to connect to.
In recent months, we have seen many reminders of the delicate state of the youth in inner city Chicago, especially in the Englewood community. Recent headlines continue to highlight the risk our children our under. It is believed that a large part of the problem is the lack of controlled, constructive environments for the young people to be in during the hours immediately after school. We also have a lack of positive role models and outlets for children to connect to. There is also a lack of educational reinforcement outside of the schools.
THE ASK:
This funding will be used to renovate the east wing of the SJEC facility to accommodate a recreational center. The space is approximately 4,400 square feet. This center will be open to the community as a safe space for kids to sit and do homework, participate in recreational activities, or have some company. We are attempting to raise $75,000 in the memory of Vasudeva Kethireddy to support the buildout of the SJEC recreation center. No donation is too small. Donations are tax deductible. If you are interested in donating outside of cash, we are also looking for any donations of materials or labor.
THE PLAN:
The goal is to have the recreational area fully functional and open daily, at minimum 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm on Monday thru Friday. A reasonable estimated opening date is June 2019. During the summer, we hope to have extended hours. Initially, volunteer workers will staff this project.
This program will be open to all students ages 18 and under. No one will be turned away based on gender, income, ethnicity or other social demographics. Although we may have some exceptions, we believe that most of the attendees will be from the Englewood community.
Our long-term goal is to have a fully functioning full-time community center that will serve as a resource center to service the needs of the youth and adults in the community. There is even a plan to offer early childhood development and parenting programs.
PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT:
It is estimated that it will take approximately $174,000 to complete the renovations to this space for use. Based on our preliminary research these funds will cover the materials and labor:
Walls including drywall, paint and padding (where necessary): $15,000
Athletic quality flooring: $55,000
Heating and cooling system: $25,000
Roofing: $35,000
Commercial entrance doors: $15,000
Electrical work: $15,000
Computers/printers: $6,000
Athletic equipment/game tables/other entertainment equipment: $5,000
Miscellaneous items: $3,000
Total renovation budget for recreational center: $174,000
Organizer
Carolyn Kethireddy
Organizer
Chicago, IL
St John Evangelist Baptist Church
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
