A note from the CEO at Solutions for Change:
Solutions for Change has a new project that we call Serve to Solve where graduates of our programs serve area businesses to help them solve tough problems that are hurting them due to COVID. Our Overcomers (the grads) raise the funds, get the labor (professional labor included), get the City to approve (if needed) and perform the project at no cost to the business. We built three beautiful decks for three Vista businesses a couple of months ago, which are now unfortunately empty.
Our Overcomers are amazing…they can make almost anything happen and get it done fast and good. You can learn a little about why they are doing this and see the past projects here: https://solutionsforchange.org/take-action/serve-to-solve-projects.html
Some ideas:
- A clean-up project that when done could save $$ and help the business serve more customers better/faster
- Making customers happier: Delivering a box of fresh organic food (or any meaningful gift) directly to their customers front door with a personal video card from the business owner thanking them for staying with them. We would take care of everything
- A Solutions donor deposits $5,000 into a trust account for the business. A restaurant that wants to be bold then sets up an area outside their restaurant where the strategy is that customers could be served drinks and a meal “free” and while sitting and eating the patrons are encouraged to “donate”. When the $5,000 is reached via donations from patrons, the fund is then replenished and it continues. The Overcomers (and Solutions) must do this for zero monetary benefit. All of it is done in service for and at no cost to the business.
- Yes, we can still build decks.
- We can provide free labor for “rushes” to help bus tables, etc… We do have wait staff who are good and who can help too.
- We are open to anything that can help a viable business (prefer businesses that have been open for awhile) who with a little help wold be given a better fighting chance.
Some past projects:
- Coyote Cafe – Led by master deck builder Mike Walters, (who was homeless on the streets of Vista in 1997 and now a 22 years sober, business AND home owner), our grads and residents constructed a 1,000 sq. ft. covered platform/deck so that more patrons can dine outside in a safe and beautiful space.
- Brewed Vista – Brewed Vista is a new family business in the community and with only 4 outdoor tables, was losing money to keep the doors open during the Covid dining restrictions. Our residents and graduates built an outdoor patio, quadrupling the amount of seating right out front!
- Mom’s Kitchen – Mom’s Kitchen, home of the World’s best biscuits and gravy, now has a new outside dining area that our graduates and current residents built. They fenced in an area of the parking lot, added fake grass and canopies, making for a very enjoyable outdoor meal!
