Cops and Teachers Need Our Help!
Helping Cops and Teachers with Skyrocketing Housing in Douglas County!
Back the Badge and Books Foundation, Helping Cops and Teachers with Housing Costs in order to Live & Work Where they Serve!
WHAT WE DO:
BACK THE BADGE AND BOOKS FOUNDATION -
OUR GOALS:
Goal 1. Ease the financial burden of soaring home and rental costs on law enforcement officers and teachers.
Goal 2. Improve recruitment and retention of highly qualified personnel needed in these critical positions.
Goal 3. Increase community connections.
Goal 4. Improve work-life balance for our essential professionals that protect Douglas County and educate our youth.
"Douglas County is an incredible place to live and work. I want more of our local heroes to experience that. Let's support our cops & teachers so they can feel as connected to Douglas County as I have for over 25+ years!"
By Co-Founder, Sgt. Jeff Schemenauer (Retired/Aug. 2024)
WHO WE ARE:
OUR STORY:
Jeff and Cindy Schemenauer founded the Back the Badge and Books Foundation along with their daughter, Leah Schemenauer, after observing a concerning trend during their 26-year residency in Douglas County. They noticed that local law enforcement officers and teachers were experiencing increased financial pressure due to rising housing and rental costs. This economic strain often forced these essential professionals to find housing in nearby areas like Dayton, Reno, and Spanish Springs, resulting in lengthy commutes that disrupted their work-life balance and community connections. Additionally, the disproportionate rise in housing expenses compared to wages discouraged highly qualified applicants and contributed to declining retention rates, low morale, and job dissatisfaction, as indicated by observations and survey studies conducted prior to creating the Foundation.
OUR PURPOSE:
The Back the Badge and Books Foundation aims to raise funds, increase awareness, and provide financial assistance to law enforcement officers and teachers to assist with skyrocketing housing in Douglas County. By alleviating the financial pressure of high housing costs, the Foundation seeks to improve the recruitment and retention of highly qualified personnel in these essential roles. We need YOU! Help us help our heroes live and work where they serve our community and educate our children.
All donations - small, large, one-time, or monthly will help us support our heroes! Be a hero to our heroes today!
We Need YOU:
100% of Your Donation Stays in Douglas County, Helping Cops and Teachers:
- $20 - Grassroots Supporter
- $40 - Community Hero
- $100 - Impact Champion
- Other - Every donation counts!!!
* 100% of Your Donation Stays Local!!
* We are a non-profit organization! Your donation is tax deductible. EIN #93-4396047
Grassroots Supporter
Grassroots Supporter
Grassroots Supporter
Support the Back the Badge and Books Foundation Pursue their Mission by Using the QR Code
Choose Your One-Time Amount
*****
If you prefer to send a check, drop one in the mail to the Foundation address.
Thank you!
Community Hero
Grassroots Supporter
Grassroots Supporter
$10-50.00
One-time or Monthly Donation to Help our HEROS!
Impact Champion
Grassroots Supporter
Impact Champion
$25-85.00
Monthly or One-Time Donation
HOW WE DO IT: A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
STEP 1: APPLICATION PROCESS & ELIGIBIITY:
To be eligible for financial assistance from the Foundation, applicants must complete an application and participate in a housing and financial assessment. Approval is contingent upon an assessment of financial hardship stemming from housing or rental expenses, as well as individual circumstances. Financial assistance is available to sworn law enforcement officers and licensed teachers employed in Douglas County.
STEP 2: PROGRAM DETERMINATION:
Financial assistance is dispensed monthly and directly transferred to the recipient's rental company, landlord, or mortgage company. No funds are issued directly to the recipient. The extent of assistance provided by the Foundation is subject to individual circumstances, the degree of "financial hardship," and household size, with military veterans given preference.
STEP 3: PROGRAM PARTICIPATION:
Applicants commit to the program through signing an agreement/contract, affirming their readiness to engage and comply with program guidelines. Participation in all Foundation programs is voluntary. Violations of rules or regulations may result in applicants being removed from the program, such as failure to fulfill outstanding rent or mortgage payments, etc. The objective is to retain applicants in the program for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years, contingent upon fund availability and adherence to program policies.
STEP 4: OTHER RESOURCES & ACCOUNTABILITY:
Additional resources available, though optional, during program participation encompass financial guidance and mentoring for career development. Regular progress assessments to gauge program outcomes and potential adjustments will be outlined in the program agreement/contract.
* Approval of applications, financial assistance amounts, available housing in Douglas County, and timetable for full implementation rests with the availability of funds and the discretion of the Board.
Contact the Back the Badge & Books Foundation:
Co-Founders: Jeff, Cindy & Leah Schemenauer
EMAIL:
backthebadgeandbooks.nv@gmail.com
ADDRESS:
Back the Badge and Books Foundation
1362 US Highway 395, Ste. 102
Gardnerville, NV 89410
PHONE:
(775) 285-6346
FUN FACTS:
- 95% of your donation will go directly to support cops & teachers!
- 100% of your donations STAY LOCAL!!!
* Co-Founder, Jeff Schemenauer is speaking at the Partnership Meeting on August 7th about the Foundation & goals for the upcoming months!
