July 2016 — BUILDING AN ECONOMIC TRAMPOLINE

• 2016-2017 Focus – funding the expansion of the sewing social enterprise and the initiation of a metal fabrication enterprise.  Both enterprises will provide adult women and older teenagers an “Economic Trampoline” to vault toward economic independence, learn marketable skills, be employee-owners of the enterprise, and master the challenges of owning and operating a small business.
• Pro Vita already owns a site in Valenii de Munte.  The sewing enterprise uses one small building.  We plan to demolish an adjacent structure and build a new one to house an expanded sewing enterprise and a new metal fabrication enterprise.
• The cost of planning, demolition and construction is estimated at $45,000. Members of the AFPVO Board are so committed to this path to economic independence that we have jump started the campaign with personal donations of $20,000.  Now we turn to you, our loyal donors, to raise the additional $25,000.
• Our initial $20,000 contribution covers the costs of planning, governmental permissions, demolition, and construction of the new building’s foundation.  This phase has already started  and will continue through October with completion planned for. May 2017. Mihail has already contacted several potential commercial customers in Valenii de Munte for the metal fabrication products.  He continues to explore possible European Union grants for CNC machinery for the new enterprise but the facility is a “must have” first step.
• The sewing enterprise is very close to breaking even after only six months of operation. Check out the beautiful pillow covers at: www.home-creators.ro.  We will reward all donors who donate $500 or more with a pillow cover while our supplies last.
• We encourage you to make your contributions to the ECONOMIC TRAMPOLINE as soon as you are able.  It is critical to the project’s progress that Mihail knows how much money he has available in advance of each phase of the project.

• TEEN HOUSE UPDATE:  Seventeen high school students and their house mothers will move to Valenii de Munte and occupy the House in August.  Seventeen more students will move in  shortly thereafter.  Your generosity was a large contributor to this beautiful facility, less than a mile from the high school.  The entire cost for the building was approximately $172,000 — AFPVO donors contributed $21,600 of that amount.  AFPVO is Pro Vita’s largest non-Romanian source of funds! 
• Pro Vita will  install plaques acknowledging AFPVO and its major contributors by name.  Those of you who contributed at least $1000 to the Teen House construction and those of you who contribute at least $1000 to the construction of the Economic Trampoline will be remembered on the respective plaques.
• As always 100% of your contribution is tax-deductible and goes directly to Pro Vita. The AFPVO Board continues to cover all administrative expenses.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the ECONOMIC TRAMPOLINE project or Pro Vita in general.  Email us at [email protected].

Thanking you in advance for your continued support and generosity.

Donna Shelton, President

Frank Doe, Treasurer

Fr. Sean Cavanaugh, Chairman