project details

Institute for Global Cause has been gifted the use of a house in support of our obesity recovery efforts. This house is located in a small rural community of approximately 1000 residents and will be the first location for a full-fledged Residential Weight Loss Program for those who suffer from the effects of obesity.

The house has enough land to allow for the addition of small housing units on the property. The additional properties will allow for more participants to participate in the program simultaneously. Unfortunately, the house requires quite a bit of renovation to make it useful for our program. Restoration efforts include making the bathrooms accessible, providing a small semi-commercial kitchen, modifying current plumbing & electrical, and restoring the original hardwood floors and trim work to the property to the extent possible and allowable by the city. That's where generous donors and volunteers, like yourself, make all the difference.

Completed Renovations to Date: 

• The roof has been replaced
• The porches have been redone 
• The interior demo is complete

Renovations Underway:

• Leveling of the house 

Upcoming Renovations: 

• Replace all floors
• Replace all electrical
• Replace all plumbing
• Add HVAC system
• Install Sheetrock
• and the list goes on and on....we'll keep you posted

Who will the program serve:
Individuals with referrals from health care providers for various comorbidities of obesity such as high blood pressure, pre-/diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, infertility, anxiety, depression, etc and are also diagnosed as obese or morbidly obese.

How many people can the program serve at this location:
The completion of this project will allow us to serve up to 12 residential participants at this one location at any given time.

What's included in the program:
The program will consist of mental health, nutritional guidance and on-site chef support for health eating, a small garden for fresh foods, daily guided (w/ personal trainer) and self-guided physical activity.

What's needed to make the program work:
Beyond the donation of the use of the property and floor plans for the build of two movable accessory dwellings on the property, the project needs donations and volunteers for the house renovations, building of inhabitable movable accessory structures, onsite fitness equipment, durable/bariatric beds & furnishings, & parking areas.

We are targeting a $300,000 goal to ensure we are able to complete all permitted renovations and building for project.

What will be available to participants when the project is finished:
A Main House with 2-3 bedrooms and 2 to 3 baths depending on permitting in the historic district area where the house is located. The main house will also have a large sitting area for group meetings and a large kitchen. Each room will house 2 to 3 program residents.

Two accessory dwelling units with bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and community living space. Each unit will house 2 to 4 program participants.

There will also be an area designated for gardening and exercise on property.