Overview
aHAND4 ® Life!
is a Membership, Not-for-Profit, Public Benefit Corporation, also qualified by the IRS as a Public Charity ("tax-exempt", under US 501c3 of the tax code). We offer qualified Memberships to people from many walks of life who have demonstrated interest in furthering the goals and objectives of this Organization. (see the various Member Classed below)
Special comments re: our VIP!s
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"Our Primary Beneficiaries are "VIP!s" - People with a Chronic, Significant Physical Disability due to Development (“PCSPDD”), compliant in CA under Title 17, or similarly under other States' Regs, or under US SSA & ACL criteria - who commit to participate ethically and contractually with aH4L! to live lawfully, responsibly and semi-independently in a "Supported Living environment” striving to maintain or improve self-reliance”, "as a good neighbor” in their Community, pursuing their own happiness as all US Citizens are lawfully entitled."
VIP! Members
VIP!s must be further classified as either VIP! "Members" "Clients" - for IRS and tax accounting purposes. VIP! Members are distinguished by their particularly low income (primarily due to disability and inability to secure gainful employment) - and low "Networth" (US SSA).
Once qualified as a VIP! Member, such enjoy participating in "governance" of the Organization to assure all VIP!s are well served in our Mission. As well, several SPECIAL elements of Service are available, e.g. 1) "Telecare", not typically contractable under State programs, and 2) the THINGS! program, which provides FREE goods to demonstrated Need(s), because of very low income (and w/ our diligent follow-up!).. Members ARE YET required to have "skin-in-their-Serviceship", and pay a very modest, affordable monthly Membership fee. As well, to defer substantial costs of "hands-on/in-home" support, Members MUST be "sponsored" financially by an State Agency/Family, and provide aH4L! either "Fee-for-Services" (Contract) and/or substantial annual Donation.
VIP! Clients
VIP!'s who do not meet the above mentioned low income and/or Networth limits required for "VIP! Membership", are STILL provided the SAME Service options as VIP! Members (excepting THINGS! as noted above), under a "Fee-for-Service" contract model with standardized rates (by locale). Such VIP! Clients are STILL ENCOURAGED to participate in our Governance by providing their constructive input for new programs, improvements in existing programs, and the like - by attending our VIP! Planning Sessions, Public meetings, and the like. By Policy, VIP! Clienst are not permitted however to Vote, or become a Class A Director. They MAY however apply and if approved, become a Member (and Director) of another Member Class.
Please NOTE: We well RESPECT and APPRECIATE our more "financially well-off" VIP! Clients. As noted below, aHAND4 ® Life!
has made a purposeful decision, by our Articles and then unanimous approval of our Directors, now our Policy, that foremost VIP!s with the GREATEST financial need will ASSURE FOR THEMSELVES, in perpetuity (as long as we exist as an Organization), comprehensive, effective services for "Supported, semi-independent Life! and Living!". As an Organization we are firmly convinced that AS our VIP! Members are well provided for, the reasonable needs of VIP! Clients will also be met.
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"Membership" is at the heart of aH4L!, to serve VIP!s!"
aHAND4 ® Life!
Founder, Mr. Edward W. LeMahieu set out to create an effective Organization serving the needs of PCSPDD in perpetuity. To achieve this, he knew the Organization need an appropriately balanced, participative "Government" to guide evolution of the Organization. Ed identified the CA State and IRS permitted Organization type of "Membership-Non Profit", and instituted such in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws because he believed it the most effective form to accomplish the above and Serve VIP!s, effectively, fairly, adaptively, and accountably.
