build it
We are excited that you want to build Champions Place in your community
After gaining more insight and experience with operating this first Champions Place, it is our intention to replicate this model in the Atlanta area and share it with other communities to help address this national challenge.
Demand is strong — there are few if any options for these families today other than to keep these young adults at home supported by aging parents
With scale comes additional cost efficiencies — we will leverage this to improve the model over time
THE CHAMPIONS PLACE MODEL
By utilizing Shared Community Support Services (funded through Medicaid), qualified residents have the ability to share the cost of personal staff. Combined with a reasonably-priced rental unit, this approach provides young adults with physical disabilities a safe and cost effective alternative to living at home with their aging parents, enabling them to live productive and independent lives in their community.
Capital and operating costs will vary by facility and community. To keep monthly fees affordable and ensure our model was sustainable, our fundraising strategy was to raise upfront 100% of capital required. This included:
Generous cash and gifts-in-kind donations from foundations, corporations and individuals
Cash reserves for 2 years operating expense and maintenance
"Skin in the game" — Residents and their families participate in fundraising efforts in order to maintain reasonable monthly rental costs
Governance board to protect the mission and vision of Champions Place— Our board comes from a variety of backgrounds and provides support and expertise in areas such as architecture, construction, finance/accounting, fundraising and marketing/ communications
WHERE DO YOU BEGIN? DON'T BUILD A BUILDING - START BY BUILDING A COMMUNITY
We hope to have more detailed information to share about building Champions Place in your community sometime in in the future. Until then, we recommend these initial steps:
Build a community of young adults with physical disabilities and their families and friends
Engage them in social and sports activities to build relationships and friendships
Develop a network of support and encouragement from neighbors, local businesses, and organizations