The Problem is the Mindset

Jeremiah Andrade, Jacob Long, Nick Pena, Kai Talstra

Overview
Domestic abuse happens in many forms to many people. The most prominent form it
takes is physical abuse, as it leaves behind visible scars on the victim. The rest of the forms it
takes however, are much more difficult to detect, and reach far deeper than the surface.​ ​These
other forms are, save for stalking, much more deep set within the mind of the victim, often the
victim is unaware that they are even affected by it, and it can hurt them later in life. This is a
major threat to the health of the victim, as physical abuse could kill them or leave them
permanently scarred, but it can also deteriorate their state of mind. In the most severe cases with
adults, and a large percentage of cases with children, says Melissa M. Stiles, “These children are
at greater risk for internalized behaviors such as anxiety and depression, and for externalized
behaviors such as fighting, bullying, lying, or cheating” (Stiles 1). Physical abuse can also
resulted in symptoms of Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder, or PTSD. Domestic abuse is a danger
that can affect anyone in a society, and being able to recognize it and end it is essential to healthy
living.

Mission Statement
Providing long term recovery for victims of domestic abuse through the provision of a
community and interaction based environment.

Our company exists with the purpose of assisting victims of domestic abuse that cannot
recover on their own. Many organizations already provide physical shelter for victims of
domestic abuse, however their physical needs are only half of what they require to make a full
recovery. In order for victims to make a full long-term recovery, our company provides people
ready to volunteer their time and comfort without judgement. Our volunteers are here to listen
and to provide the companionship that victims of domestic abuse will need. We do this because
we care about the long-term recovery of the victims. Everybody has the ability to donate money,
food, and clothes, but not everybody is able to donate their time even though it may be the most
important kind of donation. Our company wants to affect lives on a more personal level in order
to ensure a healthy long term recovery. We hire volunteers to donate their time to allow those
who cannot afford therapy to experience the same long lasting effects of it. Our company strives
to create a community based environment where people are not only physically aided to, but also
cared for personally.

Action Plan
Our short term plan would be to have a conversation with the victim and talk to them
with love and care. After we have a conversation we can give them some advice(Make a safety
plan, stay at a place that you can trust, etc...). For our long term plan, we’ll keep being a
comfortable place for the victim. Eventually we are looking for the recovery of the victim’s
mental health and to safely get out of their abusive relationship. Our group will make the
community an easier place to talk about their abusive relationships and spread the word of
domestic abuse which ties up to our social media campaign #spreadtheword. There are other non
profit groups such as BTSADV which provides community resources and support services to
victims and survivors, and FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE which works with doctors,
nurses, judges, policy makers, and many more to make a better community for the victims. We
are different from these organizations since we value having conversations with the victim and
making them as comfortable as possible more than having campaigns and working with people.

Financial Needs
Without the money many of the goals we strive to reach are impossible, but through the
help of our donations many of these goals would easily be reachable. Much of our work here
would cost very little but our human needs would also need taking care of since the profits from
our jobs wouldn’t pay too much. Overall since most of our financial needs are very small the cost
would actually be very low and wouldn’t be too much of a concern when donating to. Below is
the compiled list of our monthly costs of living:
Rent: $5,900 this cost would be monthly and would only include the rent for the
temporary housing. This building is is 5,500 square feet and is in Downtown L.A.
Food: $500 for every month the food would be restocked. This should be enough to
shelter a good amount of people, this amount may change depending on how many people are
present and how many donations are taken.
Electricity: $183 for all lights and anything miscellaneous that needs electricity
Gas: $82 for any cooking that occurs
Water: $40 for all the daily needs like showers and restroom uses
Garbage/Sewage: $20 for the weekly trash services
Internet: $47 for workers to be able to accept and manage volunteers without leaving the
property. This could also be made public for the people staying there.
Bedding: $1200 Air mattresses ($40 each and we’ll buy 30)

Total: $6,772 per month

$7972 to get started

The utilities numbers are an estimation for the area, as real numbers require submitting an
application.