Community Hands Network, The Multi-Media Mentor Academy & The Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego 

Introduction:


The Community Hands Network (CHN) is a non-profit organization umbrella and includes the Multi-Media Mentor Academy and the Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego outreach programs. The vision of CHN is to empower youth of all ages to sustain enduring changes in their lives, their environment, and in their communities.


Funding for CHN and its Multi-Media Mentor Academy and Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego programs, will be provided by government grants, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, fundraising events, executive board member contribution, individual donations, and the DJ Jam Entity.


The founder of CHN is Walter “DJ Jam” Nash. Nash attended Cal State Dominguez Hills where he majored in Music with an emphasis in Audio Engineering.  While studying and perfecting his craft he was noticed and recruited by recording artist/producer Dr. Dre to work as his DJ. His career has also included DJ’ing and working with high profile recording artists such as Snoop Dogg and others. While touring the world with Dre and Snoop he was able to visit various exotic destinations and see diverse landscapes. He was especially interested in attending safaris, and visiting zoos, special animal habitats, rehabilitation clinics, and wildlife and animal resource centers. Vis à vis these experiences, Nash developed a strong passion and interest for animals.  


Nash began to breed and raise hairless guinea pigs, eventually shipping them around the world to meet a need for hypoallergenic pets that serviced children and other individuals with animal dander allergies. This in turn led to his experience in raising other domesticated and exotic animals such as monkeys, pigs and goats; lizards, tortoises and turtles; fish and hermit crabs; peacocks, ducks, and other varieties of birds. Through research, Nash developed a high level of expertise in working with animals by building a baseline knowledge of animal needs including habitat, hygiene, nutrition, medical, and social-emotional. Additionally, Nash consulted and collaborated with experts, participated in webinars, and read textbooks in order to acquire the knowledge to be a successful animal caretaker.


CHNetwork is a “dream come true” for Nash as his foundation will work to develop and foster positive experiences for individuals of all ages, but particularly youth. DJ Jam plans to recruit reputable experts with various backgrounds in music, animals, education and philanthropy to serve the public for the common purpose of giving back to the community.
Mission Statement: The mission of the Community Hands Network is to empower youth of all ages, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds to make positive and enduring changes in their lives, in their community, and their environment.

Community Hands Network's Multi-Media Mentor Academy (a non-profit organization)

Vision

The vision of The Multi-Media Mentor Academy Outreach is to provide education to youth about the art and business of Multi-Media fields which include: Disc Jockeys, Radio/Television Journalism, Music Production/Audio Engineering, Digital Photography/Videography, Graphic Arts, Social Networking/Digital Marketing.


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Mission Statement

The mission of the Multi-Media Mentor Academy Outreach is to empower youth and invite all ages and cultures of different socioeconomic backgrounds to make positive and enduring changes in their lives through hands on experiences with multimedia equipment and software, while learning media history and acquiring professional media techniques, as well as in a work ready, future planning, and goal setting community based program
as well as building background knowledge and gaining hands on experience / or career ready experience participating in live internet radio broadcast, DJ sessions, youth interviews, showcasing youth talent, producing shows and manufacturing various marketing tools and campaigns about the business and marketing elements of different Media professions by being a part of the business and marketing elements of different media professions provides real life career paths.  

The Multi-Media Mentor Academy Outreach Program will be located in San Diego, California and will be offered in partnership with local middle schools, high schools, and also through various community-based organizations.

Funding for this program will be provided through government grants, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, fundraising events, executive board member contributions, individual donations, and DJ Jam Entity.

Partnerships with San Diego County school districts’ visual and performing arts departments will be established, and workshops will take place at
participating school sites. Utilizing professional affiliations and access to an extensive entertainment contact base, the executive director will provide a critical connection to obtaining guest speakers and known talent for event fundraising. Area media sources and affiliated personalities, as well as other local established businesses and corporations will be contacted for support.

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Animal Habitat & Petting Zoo of San Diego (a non-profit organization)

Vision

The vision of the Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego Outreach is to educate the community about animals and their habitats.

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego Outreach is to empower youth and invite persons of all ages, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds to make positive and lasting changes in their lives and the environment, through hands-on experiences working with rescued and captive-bred animals, participating in green, earth-friendly farming, and developing an appreciation for local ecosystems and habitats.

The Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego Outreach will be located in San Diego County and will provide the community with an animal/environmental education program featuring a petting zoo.  Currently existing facilities are frequently filled to capacity, and there are inadequate numbers of such facilities to meet the needs of the local animal community.  This program will specialize in housing and nurturing small & miniature animals acquiring them from rescues, farms, other petting zoos, private breeders, and various animal organizations.   The program will collaborate with local school districts and offer classroom demonstrations, field trip opportunities, and assembly guest speakers that will provide education relative to featured animals, careers centered around animals, animal care, animal behaviors, and related environmental issues.  The program will also be offered to children with special needs, senior citizens, and to women and children in transition (homeless or victims of abuse).  The facility will be eco-friendly and solar powered, and will be managed as a cooperative by students and local volunteers.

The program will provide education in basic husbandry relative to the on-site species, including animal care and maintenance, and handling and training.  A rescue/rehabilitation facility will be provided to rehabilitate and house animals in need. 

The program will also provide education and support for families and individuals who need assistance with animal care basics such as providing appropriate environments and home habitats, healthy diet/feeding plans, exercise needs, hygiene needs, grooming, medical care, and owner-pet bonding practices.  Families or individuals with limited income or other special needs will be able to receive in home support from students participating in the program.  Program students seeking additional related experiences will be available to provide custom habitat design and development for pet owners as well. 

As various animals require different habitats and living environments, the program will also provide educational experiences in architectural landscaping, focused on creating those particular habitats.  The program will also include education and hands on practice in developing and maintaining an organic fruit and vegetable garden, providing nutrition for the herbivores, supporting a “green” self-sustaining factor, as well as protecting and enhancing the environment.

Annual scholarships will be awarded to deserving students/participants upon completion of the program, assisting them in attaining future personal, and career goals.

The petting zoo component will provide monetary support for the program via fee based personal contact and animal feeding opportunities for participants, and will also feature amusements such as hay rides, mazes, scavenger hunts, slides, and jumpers—ideal for school sponsored field trips aligned with life science common core standards.  Home grown and program produced refreshments such as fruits and vegetables, will be sold for a nominal fee to guests, and collaborative sales opportunities will be offered to local growers (ie: farmers’ market).  Additionally, animal themed commemorative souvenir items such as photos, calendars, etc., will be sold to assist in supporting the program.  Further, on and off site animal visits will be provided for special occasions such as birthday parties and corporate events.  Finally, pet quality and domesticated animals will be marketed to individuals and families looking for that special animal/family member, and boarding will be available for house pets. 

Program/petting zoo featured animals will include primarily small and miniature animals in order to maximize space.  Fowl including various species of ducks, common and exotic small birds, and large birds such as emus and ostriches will be sought and featured.  Farm animals such as pigs, goats, sheep, cows, horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas will also be sought and featured.  Primates/monkeys of various types, and assorted reptiles including tortoises, lizards, and snakes, as well as various aquatic animals, will be included at the petting zoo.

Funding for the Animal Habitat and Petting Zoo of San Diego Outreach will be provided by government grants, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, fundraising events, executive board member contributions, individual donations, sales from the petting zoo and related attractions, and DJ Jam Entity.

Relevant common interest partnerships with similar community support goals will be sought and established with local animal education entities such as the San Diego Zoo/ San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Sea World for collaboration on special events and programs, as well as to provide participants with discount park rates. Communication and promotion for the program will be provided via social networking, sound-bites, interviews on local news channels, flyers, and leaflets.  A website will be established and will include educational information such as the habits, needs, and care and feeding of featured animals.  Program administrators will communicate events and needs directly and regularly with local press and media, elected and appointed city officials, athletes and other celebrities and entertainers to maintain high profile exposure.   Additionally, relationships will be established and maintained with local veterinary clinics, pet shops, feed and tack establishments, restaurants and other high profile corporations and businesses.


The organization will seek additional relevant partnerships with the following broad categories of professionals and individuals: veterinarians, breeders, excavators, landscape architects, gardeners, farmers, livestock ranchers, construction contractors, electricians, carpenters, welders, graphic artists, web designers, and of course, animal lovers.

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