The concept of creating a safe and comfortable space for persons with illnesses and disabilities is now a reality. It’s name? Tha Well – an online, social networking community with the combined features of internet giants; Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, further complimented by an unprecedented array of offline benefits. Just as water is the offering of a thriving fountain, Tha Well is an enhancement to member’s quality of life that extends social networking beyond imagining..
With 27 forums, (customized with themes and topics), story boards, and blogs, members can share both struggles and triumphs. Also included at no additional cost, are 5 Benefit Packages, two of which provide members with opportunities to hone and showcase their talents and compete for recording contracts, book publishing deals, cash, and more.
Offline benefits are equally extraordinary, one of which is The Gathering, a high-end outing hosted four times a year where members are treated to gourmet meals in top of the line restaurants and venues. Each is held in a different city/state to ensure everyone’s opportunity to attend. The Gathering includes top entertainers, guest speakers, and attendees from movie and TV celebrities, to athletes, elected officials, and medical professionals. And, Tha Well foots the bill! Yes, the owners of this benevolent movement pledges to return 10% gross revenues to its treasured members. Other less formal events will be held, many of which will be open to the public. Craft fairs, performances, bake sales, cook offs, and other income earning opportunities will be hosted throughout the year.
Why persons with illnesses and disabilities? Co-owner and developer of Tha Well, CaSandra Mathis, responds. “Who better to cater to another, than someone who’s been where they are? My nephew, Maurice Mathis, is the founder of this innovative concept. In 2004 he was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, an incurable, neuropsychiatric disorder that drastically changed his life. He’s now 25. Late 2003, a month after the death of my mother, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, a disease from which 2 out of 3 persons die of heart attack, or stroke. I wish I had something like Tha Well back then. I was at a total loss. So was my nephew. We comforted one another as best we could, but it was the blind leading the blind. September 2009, Maurice came to me with the concept of creating a forum for persons with illnesses and disabilities to come together and talk, deal with frustrations, get information, and eventually meet offline to hang out and have fun without being judged, or gawked at, or treated less than “normal”. I practically live on the internet and had never come across such a thing. My first thought was an online community with a ton of offline benefits. I remembered how desperately I needed a washer and dryer, amongst other things, after losing all but one of the clients of my desktop publishing/web design business to the recession, and, shortly after, being forced out of the home I’d enjoyed for over 4 years. I smiled broadly as I imagined a knock on my door and the sight of a huge truck with delivery men bringing me that treasured necessity I could no longer afford on my own. In consideration of others on fixed incomes, or otherwise not financially sound, we set affordable membership rates and added numerous, recession proof specials that last throughout 2009. December 1st, Tha Well was launched."
Future plans for Tha Well – Early 2010:
"Tha Well – Virtual" – a complete redesign with the addition of adult GED, vocational classes, and other educational components, along with two spinoffs of the current, 18 and over model; “Tha Well – YA”, (young adults, 13 – 17), and “Tha Well – Jr.”, (ages 6 – 12). Each community based, like minded atmosphere will be further enhanced with numerous, interactive and exciting features and a host of age appropriate, educational and entertaining components.
Road Trip! – Owners and staff will travel across the U.S., knocking on doors and ringing bells of unsuspecting members to award prizes won in drawings and hand out gifts in appreciation of the first members to come aboard in 2009. These and other events will be videotaped with excerpts displayed on the website, and reality show style DVDs created for sale via the online store.
Relocation – Owners will establish business and personal residence in Atlanta, GA and secure warehouse space to stock pile company purchased, and community donated food, clothing, winter items, furnishings, and other necessities for persons in need.
With custom, theme based, chat rooms, blogs, detailed profiles, interactive gaming, and a host of other features in the works, Tha Well provides the ultimate social networking experience all under one roof.
