What is the construction timeline?
We will break ground on the new residential facility in November 2023, with the goal of youth moving into the completed building by the end of 2024.
As soon as the youth and the staff directly serving them are relocated to the new building, we will begin renovating our historic building to restore its beauty and make better use of its function. We hope that it will be completed by the end of 2025. The updated building will have ample meeting and training space and will house our administrative and business offices. It will also feature a family visiting apartment to host family members and other visitors in a welcoming, home-like setting.
Are there green initiatives planned?
Yes. There will be solar power. We have also completed a geothermal study and plan to heat both the new facility and the renovated historic building through ground-source heating. These features will significantly decrease the operational costs of our facilities over time and reduce our carbon footprint.
Will the new facility allow Plummer to serve more youth?
Yes. Occupancy will increase slightly from 18 to 22. Approximately 40 to 50 youth will live in the residential facility over the course of each year. However, increasing the number of available beds is not the goal of the project. Instead, we aim to improve the quality of care for the youth living there, while creating space that will help us achieve our mission of making sure young people develop lifelong family relationships.
Will the new campus enable Plummer to grow its impact?
Yes. Each year, more than 23,000 youth across the US age out of the foster care system with no family to count on, resulting in poor outcomes like homelessness, unintended pregnancy, a lack of education and job preparedness, and incarceration. At Plummer, we know it doesn’t have to be this way.
Our new campus will do so much more than serve as just a roof over the heads of youth in care as they wait to come of age. We are establishing a higher standard of care that can be applied to residential facilities across the country, catalyzing the rebuilding of families and getting kids home as quickly and safely as possible. A shift toward prioritizing families for youth in group care will create much-needed systems change- and Plummer is poised to lead this change.
In 2022, we hosted 67 trainings and workshops on best practices for more than 2,300 child welfare professionals, thus informing the care of more than 15,000 young people across the country. But we need a trauma-informed campus that reflects the excellence of our practice in order to effectively scale our impact even further.
Will you preserve the rich history of the property and existing building?
Yes. Our current building is a historic Victorian home built in 1867. It is beloved by the Salem community and has touched countless lives during its over 150-year history. Our Owner’s Project Manager, Jonathan Lavash, has significant experience with historic property renovations, including many in Salem. Plummer has also partnered with Salem Historic on an archaeological study to ensure that the grounds are respected during construction. Finally, the proposed new residential building will be constructed in the location of former outbuildings that were once part of the Plummer Farm School, creating a campus that closely resembles Plummer’s property in the 19th century.
Do your goals and cost estimates account for inflation?
Yes. Our budget includes generous contingency planning and reflects projected construction industry inflation rates for 2023-2025.
How do I make my pledge?
Talk with us. We would love to help structure your gift in the most beneficial way possible. Contact Nancy Jones, Director of Development and Communications, at njones@plummeryouthpromise.org or (978) 744-1099, ext. 103.
Can I contribute assets other than cash?
Yes! Many donors who pledge to support the campaign will fulfill their commitment with gifts of securities. The use of donor advised funds, appreciated securities, and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs are also frequent ways donors are choosing to support the effort.
This Ways of Giving document outlines examples of other assets that are acceptable, including gifts of real estate, corporate gifts, matching gifts, and planned giving opportunities.
