Des Moines, Iowa - The Eychaner Foundation held a press conference today at 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 209, Des Moines, Iowa, to announce a major new crisis initiative to relocate children incarcerated along the southwestern border of the United States to Iowa.
The foundation was started by gay businessman Rich Eychaner, brother of Chicago gay businessman Fred Eychaner.
The program, called "1,000 Kids for Iowa" will coordinate as local communities, churches and individuals register their willingness to house one or more children or donate much needed supplies, services and support to these children when they arrive in Iowa.
1,000 Kids for Iowa calls upon the federal government to transfer 1,000 children from incarceration to Iowa to be cared for and supported by Iowa families until such time as the crisis is resolved by political leaders and children can be safely reunited with their families.
The organization will provide immediate support services from caring volunteers around Iowa to house, feed, care for and educate these children for as long as is necessary. "If every state organized to accept 1,000 kids or more, proportionate to their size, the incarceration of children could end," said Rich Eychaner, founder.
1,000 Kids for Iowa will work in conjunction with new and existing organizations, groups, churches, social agencies, governments or individuals to provide the organization and services necessary to protect these children. The Eychaner Foundation is a 501( c )( 3 ) charitable organization, and all contributions to 1,000 Kids for Iowa are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
The Eychaner Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to promoting tolerance and non-discrimination. The Eychaner Foundation is dedicated to anti-bullying, has been instrumental in the creation of the Iowa Pride Network and Iowa Safe Schools. The foundation invests in distinguished minority students through Iowa's Matthew Shepard Scholarship Program and the Howard and Mildred Eychaner Minority Scholarship in De Kalb, Illinois.
