Vision

Trip Depot Inc. will serve as a catalyst for attracting other resources. Our vision is to enhance the county of Tom Green’s County’s character and rural environment and to support a thriving community-based economy. We will unite and empower individuals to achieve their aspirations. Through Trip Depot Inc., organizations and individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences will connect to share and increase their opportunities that make a positive social, economic and environmental impact.

  The Trip Depot, Inc. will establish a marketplace, kingdom-minded environment that will lead to the developing and nurturing of personal gifts in-kind, visions, and services that will benefit others. The organization will provide shared resources to assist in minimizing operating cost and maximizing effectiveness in carrying out individual vision with the organization and community support. The concept incorporates many ministries and other community programs partnering to meet the increasing needs

   The organization will be a multi-purpose service center. The three focus includes personal transformation, family renewal, and addressing youth issues. Services will be provided that will encourage and edify others to maximize their potential and empower them to use their abilities in positive and constructive ways. The organization will use a holistic model that addresses diverse needs of the person within the context of his or her environment. The organization will integrate strategies that will address the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of a person. The “We Do It Better Together” concept will be employed.

   The Trip Depot service center that will be established will benefit all of the community and others who seek assistance. The center will strive to promote an atmosphere of openness, trust, and relationships fostering a spirit of respect for the gifts and needs of all persons. Once trust develops, discussions can be expanded to more sensitive issues. A “Dominion Way” fund which promotes “People Helping People To Help Themselves.”

The organization will work with Small Business Administration and other organizations that funds small business developments and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit. The services that will be implemented are a Dream development program that will provide economic opportunity for people who are seeking to start a business. Youth services will be provided that encompass a broad range of focus areas such as youth development, recreation, and those struggling with substance abuse. This strategy will incorporate a “Empowered to BE” and “Light Empowered Training” programs among others for those seeking positive live changes.

Trip Depot Inc. envisions a community that enables malnourished people to get healthier food and to relieve hunger. It is common in today’s society to see someone living in a cardboard box in an alley as a makeshift home living down in the parks and subways, or sleeping on un sidewalks. Trip Depot will be an outreach ministry to the homeless in our local community.  A food pantry will be established whereby services will range from simply providing free packaged meals; in addition, feeding individuals a hearty home cooked meal on Sundays. These activities will be provided through a “Compassionate Care & Comfort Station.”

The organization will rely on donated and purchased foods, partnering with other organizations to feed the hungry.  A clothing center will be established that will take in donations and do a drive with co-workers, members and neighbors to help provide warm clothing, employment apparel, and children’s clothing to low-income families and individuals. A Media and Marketing program will be established as a tool to meet its customer and donor target market needs utilizing brochures and marketing materials that describe the benefits, services, donation opportunities, and values of the organization.

Target population includes homeless individuals, the community youth, single parents and economically disadvantaged individuals and dysfunctional families. There will be no eligibility requirements. The organization will offer an environment that is specific and relevant to the individuals participating.

Needs

In 2009-2011, 17 percent of people in Tom Green County were in poverty. Twenty-four percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 9 percent of people 65 years old and over. Thirteen percent of all families and 38 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level. But today, the poverty rate in the U.S. is the highest it’s been in 17 years, affecting some 46 million people. The economy is partly to blame, but even in good times, millions of Americans are poor. The percentage of children living in deep poverty had been declining at the turn of the century but is now on the rise. Single mothers have an especially hard time getting out of poverty. Households headed by single mothers are four times as likely to be poor as are families headed by married couples. Some know instinctively what the studies show: Children who grow up in poor families are far more likely to become poor adults. These mothers often rely on food stamps, housing subsidies, welfare, or other government programs. Both the right and the left, from the Obama White House are in the process of cutting many social and government programs that these individuals depend on.

There is a tremendous need, especially for high-risk youth in low-income neighborhoods, for programs that provide activities and support for children during the after school hours and throughout the summer. Teens in poor neighborhoods are struggling for direction and positive opportunities are needed to keep them safe and on-track. In addition, a study published in Pediatrics magazine found that 8^th graders who were left home after school reported greater use of cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol than those in adult supervised settings.

Current research indicates that supervised after-school and summer programs not only keep children safe and out of trouble, they also improve their academic achievement. After school and out-of-school programs can help fill this void. Whether it’s linking a high school dropout to a tutor, or introducing an incarcerated teen to programs that find innovative ways to inspire positive growth. Activities will take place outside of the school, after regular school hours, in the summer, or on weekends – in times and places where they are most in need of constructive activities.

In short, the aim of the TRIP Depot is to

• Promotes effective, strategic programs, services, and resources that will provide short-term transitional assistance and long-term outcomes-based impact.
• Strengthens organizational capacity, builds relationships, and expands membership to ensure measured, sustainable growth.
• Leads and collaborates to address issues and opportunities that are effective and productive.
• The Trip Depot Inc. organization will combine the resources of the community and foster substantive collaboration between cultural organizations and other community institutions addressing young people in need by:
• Nurturing the spirit and creativity of the San Angelo youth and introducing them to the “I Will BE” personal identity and empowerment process.
• Introducing them to the Dream Development program whereby we can assist them in cultivating their visions and dreams and individuals interested in developing skills to become an entrepreneur.
• Utilizing the program for Enterprise development expands economic opportunity for people of all ages and communities of all sizes.
  

Staffing:

     The program will have 50 volunteers and 3 paid staff which is the Program Director, Administrator and the Secretary. The TRIP Depot program will operate under the oversight of an Administrator. The Administrator responds to the Board of Directors, while ensuring that all of the program’s objectives are maintained. This may include supervision of key staff, and volunteers, establishing policies and procedures, assisting with the planning and developmental aspects of the program, as well as implementing policies and procedures. Another key position is the Program Director. This position will be filled by a person with experience in Social services. The Program Director oversees all program services that include counseling, training and supervision of programs.

In addition, funds are being requested to cover cost for a maintenance, and food preparation person.

Maintenance^:

Performs routine preventive maintenance to ensure that building systems operate efficiently, and the physical condition of buildings maintain code compliance. Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include  A/C Hear, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning debris from sidewalk.

Food Preparation:

The Cook prepares, seasons, and cooks dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, and plan menu.

Future resources needed for this project will include:

Human Resources Program Director:

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of the organization. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. The Human Resources Program Director reports directly to Executive Director.

Sustainability:

Additional resources will be secured to strengthen our organization.

Diversify funds

• Identify strategies for fund raising.
• Work with funding sources at all levels (school, local, counties, state, and national).
• Be flexible to meet the needs of the funding source.
• Engage other local organizations in our work to help create long lasting partnerships.
• Develop a list of donors that already support

the program (individuals, corporations, foundations).