OUTREACH:
Rush Properties strives to provide an environment where the business is not driven by the bottom line, but instead by goodwill for others. Our desire for Rush Properties is to be profitable, for without profit we could not invest in our future, but profit is not what drives us. Our first purpose is to serve and we receive satisfaction knowing we are making a difference.
Some of our current projects are…
PROJECT (James: 217)
This project grew out of a desire to make a difference in other people’s lives. In eight years of doing business with our clients, we have discovered a profound need for companies willing to help people in need of financial assistance gain an advantage in life.
James 217 aspires to provide housing for financially disadvantaged families in the Johnson County, Kansas area by providing a rent-free home to families for a period of 12 months. The first family moved into a James 217 home in April 2007 and the second family moved in January 2008. Our 5 year goal is to provide not just two James 217 homes, but a total of five. Monetary donations are sought from area businesses to help buffer the cost of utilities, food and transportation costs for the families. James 217 tenants attend financial seminars and job training to assist in the transition at the end of the 12 month period. Project James 217 is partnered with an area charitable organization, Johnson County Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc. (JoCoIHN), for placement of families in our homes. (www.JoCoIHN.org)
JoCoIHN is a nonprofit organization serving homeless families in Johnson County, Kansas. Their mission is to unite and enable the faith community to provide homeless families with emergency shelter and meals, as well as compassionate assistance with social services, and relationships with caring people in the faith community. Families are screened prior to acceptance into the program. JoCoIHN provides weekly aftercare services to James 217 tenants providing continued support and resources to support the family’s continued success during their tenancy with Project James 217.
Johnson County Developmental Supports
Another branch of Project James 217 is renting houses at a reduced rate to adults with disabilities. On January 15, 2008, three individuals moved into one of Rush Properties' homes. Johnson County Developmental Supports will be teaching these people independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and budgeting. There is a supervisory adult living in the home to teach them and oversee the living situation.
Mission Crossroads 5K
Rush Properties is a yearly sponsor of the City Union Mission Crossroads 5K Walk/Run. Since 1924, City Union Mission has provided warm beds, nutritious food and a place of safety for thousands of poverty stricken and homeless men, women and children.
Sacred Steps 5k
Rush Properties also regularly sponsors The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Sacred Steps 5k Run/Walk Benefiting HIV/AIDS in Africa. The story of HIV/AIDS is usually told through statistics, such as "Forty million people are infected with HIV. In Africa alone there are nearly 16 million AIDS orphans, and 8,000 AIDS-related deaths every day." Such staggering numbers are often overwhelming and impersonal, keeping us from seeing the faces of people affected by the AIDS pandemic. Rather than being paralyzed by such numbers, Church of the Resurrection provides numerous opportunities to become actively involved -- opportunities to see people face to face, to hear their stories, and to serve alongside them.
Our staff volunteers...
over 100 hours a year for other charity and service project, etc. to assist the local community.
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