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    CLJobe
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

A Child's Haven - 9. Chapter 9

I called Abe and asked if he could attend the Saturday Board meeting. I wanted to review the expansion of the cook shack. “I have a few more ideas for the offices over the loading dock. If we extend the office area up to the same level as the current building, we could have a maximum of 15 floors. This would give us plenty of space for offices, and we could include an infirmary on the first level. I thought of having the Board room at the very top with a small kitchen to make coffee. I could have the cook shack do that and also bring lunch. What do you think?”

“Let me put some ideas down on paper, and we can review them after the Board meeting.”

I called Tony and asked him to stop by Sanctuary. I had wanted to run the idea of giving the kids an allowance and perhaps paying some of them for working in Sanctuary. “If you come over in one hour, I’ll treat you to lunch.”

I started to frame out my ideas for the third floor. Since the second floor is divided into three floors, I thought that would be a good idea for the third floor. On the first floor, 3A, I envisioned classrooms. On 3B, I imagined efficiency apartments. Each apartment would include a kitchen serving four bedrooms. Each bedroom would contain a bunk bed and a single dorm bed; three small compartments would be over the single bed. I would put desks, utilizing the space at the end of the bunk bed, and the space between the single bed and the bunk bed. On one wall, I would split the area into two sections, one section for a small bath with a shower and the other section for a closet divided into three sections. Each occupant would have closet space, a desk, a cupboard over the single bed, and a space in the closet.

There’d be four of these modular rooms with a center room that will be the kitchen containing a microwave, small refrigerator, a sink, and cupboards, of which one will have a drawer for cutlery. A small dining table will be included. At one end of the apartments, I included in the design an open area equipped with desks, bookshelves, and restricted computers. This was my idea, and now I wanted to see what Abe could do with it.

I wanted to create living conditions for the kids as they got older, trying to simulate actually being on their own but still have the assurance that help was nearby. The apartments would be assigned to the older kids, and depending on their financial status, rent would be charged, which would go into a bank account for each kid. When the time comes for them to leave, they will be given their rent money. The idea was to get them use to paying a monthly bill, and of course, when they got the money back, they would have a small nest egg to start their independent life.

On floor 3C, I wanted to create sleeping rooms. Each room would have a bed, desk, and access to an ensuite bathroom. Next to the bathroom would be a closet with built-in drawers and an area to hang clothes. These bedrooms would be used by the staff of which I’d occupy one. They could be used on an emergency basis by anyone and the medical staff if in-home recovery was necessary.

The third floor has already been divided into three floors similar to the second floor. The only thing to be done is the construction of the school rooms, apartments, and bedrooms. For that, I need Abe’s input and drawings.

Then we must address the elevator for the main building. Starting on the first floor, it‘ll need to have six stops to service all the floors. This would be a significant construction project.

Walking back from lunch with Tony, “Brad, why don’t you paint this building? It looks like an old warehouse.”

“That’s a good idea, and I think I can make a game out of it for the kids.”

After dinner, I announced a new contest. “I’d like to paint our building, and I need your help. I want you to submit your ideas on what the building should look like after it’s painted. You pick the color and any design you want. Mr. Carver will review your designs and announce the winner.”

One of the kids put their hand up, “Yes, Ronnie.”

“’What’s the prize going to be?”

“I haven’t thought about that. Let me think about it, and I’ll announce the prize before the contest is over. Is that ok?”

“Can we work on this as a group or individually?”

“That’s up to you. If you want to work on it as a group, that’d be fine. If just two want to work on it, that’d be ok as well. This is now your project, so run with it. You have one week, starting now. If you need paper, pencils, crayons, see Beth.”

“I think you may have created a monster.”

“No, it’ll be good for them, and maybe if they all pitch in, I’ll think of something for everyone with a special gift for those in the winning group. Just remind me to tell Abe that I put him in the pot.”

Copyright © 2020 CLJobe; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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I know you said Brad's family was well off and I figured Brad was also only less so after all he is still a college student.But his ideas are so ambitious  that I'm thinking Brad's family is on the same wealth level as Carleton was and they must have some good investments.Giving the kid an allowance is an interesting idea he better make sure it is legal  because when it comes to kids God knows what stupid laws they may have.

Edited by weinerdog
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1 hour ago, chris191070 said:

Great chaapter. Things are progressing nicely with Sanctuary. I love the idea of the kids designing what the warehouse should look like.

At least the outside. I think painting will help a lot and if possible some trees, Don't know how far back they building is set.

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42 minutes ago, weinerdog said:

I know you said Brad's family was well off and I figured Brad was also only less so after all he is still a college student.But his ideas are so ambiguous that I'm thinking Brad's family is on the same wealth level as Carleton was and they must have some good investments.Giving the kid an allowance is an interesting idea he better make sure it is legal  because when it comes to kids God knows what stupid laws they may have.

You are absolutely right. Brad's money will slow up, but being a 501c project he has the possibility of getting donations.

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37 minutes ago, Buz said:

So glad he did right by Mother Jenkins. She will be over the moon about her salary. That is nearly 5x more than her previous job. Of course, that says as much about her previous job as it does about Brad. Brad, Bubba and Billy. Must say, loving these 'B' names :)

 

With all of those kids I'm sure there will be duplications

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Awesome chapter, I am glad that the kids are so involved, it makes them feel that they are definitely at home and not homeless, 

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With the scale of the building and modifications this is quickly becoming a vast management challenge. Even the numbers of people occupying the premises and a way for the local fire and rescue to know occupancy, and the cocoons signage and fire pass keys.

The front door and chow hall could be open to walk-ins but much like a hotel requires keys for floor and elevator access, the sign-in residents should have their simple hotel style plastic key card; any lost keys generate new keys and updated cancellation codes. The clinic would also be auto alerted when a pod is occupied but the kid hasn’t exited for food or showers.

Many parental style observations could be made using the more secure pass keys that also allows tracking food, laundry, occupancy, and socialization. Abnormal observations get reported the the appropriate supervisor; Mama Jenkins, Senior Boy, Doc, etc,...

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8 hours ago, mikedup said:

Awesome chapter, I am glad that the kids are so involved, it makes them feel that they are definitely at home and not homeless, 

There parti citation will also make them feel worthy and not useless

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6 hours ago, Philippe said:

With the scale of the building and modifications this is quickly becoming a vast management challenge. Even the numbers of people occupying the premises and a way for the local fire and rescue to know occupancy, and the cocoons signage and fire pass keys.

The front door and chow hall could be open to walk-ins but much like a hotel requires keys for floor and elevator access, the sign-in residents should have their simple hotel style plastic key card; any lost keys generate new keys and updated cancellation codes. The clinic would also be auto alerted when a pod is occupied but the kid hasn’t exited for food or showers.

Many parental style observations could be made using the more secure pass keys that also allows tracking food, laundry, occupancy, and socialization. Abnormal observations get reported the the appropriate supervisor; Mama Jenkins, Senior Boy, Doc, etc,...

I think as the number of adults increase, supervision will also increase. One difference with these children as compared to others, they are aware of what Salvation means to them. They will self police, knowing the streets are dangerous.

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On 12/18/2020 at 4:48 PM, Buz said:

So glad he did right by Mother Jenkins. She will be over the moon about her salary. That is nearly 5x more than her previous job. Of course, that says as much about her previous job as it does about Brad. Brad, Bubba and Billy. Must say, loving these 'B' names :)

 

I thought Bubba said she was making $150 a week that would be $600 a month. He is going to pay her $1,500 a month and then after kitchen is all set up $2,000. So really about 3 1/2 times. But that is a so much better than she was making. Plus other perks he will probably give her that she wasn't getting at her other jobs. 

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