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The Jericho Project Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit Florida Corporation with an affordable housing missionOur programs include providing clarity around affordable housing choices and partnering with those who are ready to expand our housing solutions to meet the needs of those who need permanent housing.
The Jericho Project is the lead organization for 2019 Planet Healing Films 
Richard Morris, President's resume, President let's you meet the man who is 100% committed to deliver permanent, attainable housing for all.
Toni Westerfield, Vice President's resume introduces you to the woman who is committed to being the face of affordable housing for all.
Sandy Gallagher, Secretary/Treasurer's resume introduces you to an amazing woman whose
lifetime of service as a mental health counselor and licensed clinical social worker was enhanced with her Smith College education. Maureen Jones, Board Member's resume introduces you to a woman whose legal expertise and international caretaking perspectives create possibilities for all.
Glen Gibellina, Board Member's resume and website link you to containers transformed into homes that can be used as accessory dwelling units and combined to create shared housing and other affordable housing solutions.
Mary Anne Bowie, Executive Director's resume introduces you to a sustainability expert and urban planner who is committed to creating communities that are socially equitable, environmentally sound and fiscally responsible.
HOME- Who We Are What We Do / Partner Planet Healing Films |
My Story
By Richard Morris, President, The Jericho Project People ask me why I care so much about The Jericho Project. I know the moment that my passion began. It was a life changing moment. I was working at Heartland Nursing facility around 2008. It was very early on a cold January morning. An angry woman drove up in a big cadillac and dropped off her parents at our front door, stating "Call me when they are dead." Her parents, in their 80's, were barefoot and dressed in their pajamas. The daughter left quickly, and left no paperwork, and then drove away. I stood there, totally shocked, and in tears. I grabbed some blankets, sat them down, tried to comfort them, and stayed close with them until the morning staff showed up. It was at that moment that I realized that the gift of a roof over one's head represents self empowerment and respect. Although I always worked very hard, my health began to get worse and worse. I had five stints, spine surgery, and two brain aneurysms and then, I found myself in the hospital, a victim of a prescription medicine reaction. I literally died and got the message from God, "Not yet Richard." So, I woke up and when the Doctor called me his miracle patient, I suggested that we started a support group for others who had the same reaction to the medicine. "That was impossible," he said, "Everyone else was already dead." My health issues continued with a stroke that caused me to be completely unable to speak to the Doctor or to move half my body. Again, I went deep into the night and the message this time, was "You are going to be okay, Richard." In the morning, the Doctor was flabbergasted when I spoke to him, explaining, "I'm going to be okay." So, by then, I thought what could possibly happen next. Well, next, in 2013, I was diagnosed with HIV due to sticking myself with a hypo while changing out sharps containers. Even though it was a job related illness, I lost my job. And I was very very sick for a while and my businesses lost all their assets. But, I did end up having the good fortune of living at the Casa San Jose through Bethesda House. During that time, I regained by health, my composure, my reasoning in my own head to do the two surgeries and I even started my own new business, getting back to feeding my entrepreneurial spirit. I began seeing defects in the health care and housing systems, thus stirring in me a desire to fix some of those problems, especially housing that is affordable, attainable and permanent for people. In case I thought my problems were over; they were not. Because of misapplying my corporation into the wrong IRS category, I was deemed to be no longer eligible for my housing at Casa San Jose, my disability, etc. etc. Knocked down again, but not out. The biblical story of felling the walls of Jericho is what I'm working at: To tear down the bad and ugly walls of incompetency and impossibility and start rebuilding the possible. We can do this. So many organizations seem to want to provide housing and want to take care of people, but they are stopped by the development process. We are committed to turning ideas into reality. We have the skilled Board members and Executive Director ready to partner with you to create and develop permanent, attainable housing solutions. |