G.A.S.K.I.N.S. CHARITY
God Always Shows Kindness In Needed Situations
OUR MISSION
To provide vulnerable populations with individualized lifestyle convenience designs, engineered to integrate and automate their homes and/or workplace for the purpose of improving safety, enhancing health, increasing socialization, advancing productivity, and ensuring a better quality of life.
OUR STANDARDS
The G.A.S.K.I.N.S. Charity is a small nonprofit (501(c)(3) that provides low-to- moderate income, elderly, disabled, and qualifying veterans with technology and mechanical residential integration for the purpose of improving their quality of life. In an effort to ensure that we provide the best standards, we are committed to using the best practices by maintaining active memberships with:
Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association - CEDIA Certified
Grant Professional Association (GPA) - GPCI Certified
Living in Place Institute (LIPI) - CLIPP Certified
OUR WHY
Shaka and Janeen Gaskins have a vision for improving the quality of life by making all spaces smart places for Arizona's most vulnerable populations. For more than 15 years, Shaka provided technology integration for mid to high-end clients. During his spare time he gave back to the community by donating products and volunteering his time. Janeen Gaskins worked as a professional Grant Administrator for several municipal governments. During this time she enjoyed collaborating with local businesses and non-profits. Her desire to give back to the community was in-step with her husband's. They set their long-term retirement plan on creating a foundation to help vulnerable populations. They were unexpectedly blessed with the reality of COVID-19, causing them to sell their family business. In 2020 they participated in Arizona's GoDaddy BBB Empower Ignite Small Business Internship. This endeavor encouraged them to create a charity and provided expert advice on the transition from private to non-profit small business establishments.
Shaka is an Air Force Veteran who retired after 20 years of honorable service. He spent the next 12 years running Shakatronics Audio Video, LLC before selling the business in 2020. He is a licensed Low Voltage Contractor and a Certified Technology Integration Installer. He holds a Master's Degree in Business and serves as a Lay Pastor at Palm Valley Church.
Janeen's grant management background yielded an annual $5 million dollar benefit to municipal governments over her 15 year career. She is a dedicated volunteer and board member at PVC - Community Impact, Arizona Charter Academy, Grant Professional Association, and Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association. She has worked under City Managers, Mayors and CEO's creating consensus, developing strategies, teaching processes and providing administrative services for multiple organizations. Janeen holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Planning. She is licensed Grant Professional (GPC), Certified Public Manager, Certified Living in Place Professional and serves along side her husband in the PVC Marriage Ministry.
The BOARD
CHEKENA CARTER, DNP,FNP-C
Dr. Carter is a purveyor of clinical excellence with an affinity for providing quality care in primary care settings. She is a Nurse Practitioner at Optum where she provides critical care disease management in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As a doctoral prepared nurse, she uses skills that promote quality evidence based care. Her exceptional diagnostic abilities, clinical collaboration skills, patient motivational techniques and health coach training are a benefit to the Charity. Mike is the Area Sr. Sales Manager at Republic Services in the Greater Phoenix Area. He has more than 20 years of governmental experience. He held leadership positions, including Town/City Manager and Principal Consultant. He has in impeccable reputation for collaboration and strategy. He serves on the Charity's Board providing community connections, government expertise and dedication to helping projects get completed for the good of the community.
NADER DAJANI, CFO at Josh.ai
Mr. Dajani is the Chief Financial Officer at Josh.ai, a voice-activated AI System for home company http://josh.ai. He has more than 15 years of experience in the private sector. He has held executive level positions in high demand companies. His technology business development expertise is an asset to the Charity.
KEVIN McGOURTY, Ph.D
Kevin is a Leadership Development Trainer at the State of Arizona | Adjunct Professor at Brookline College | Real Estate Agent at Realty ONE Group | Principal Owner of Applied Psychology Associates, LCC. His diverse skillset focuses on Industrial Organizational Psychology. He holds numerous licenses and certifications allowing him to provide expert advice to the Charity.
COURTNEY SMYTHE, VA
Ms. Smythe is a Whole Health Coach at Phoenix Veterans Affairs. She is an experienced community coordinator that has worked in hospitals, health care facilities. She honorably served in the U.S. Navy for 12.5 years where she was recognized for her skills in management techniques, leadership, customer service, organizational skills, and computer software proficiency. She is a strong community and social services professional with a Bachelor of Science - BS focused in Parks and Recreation Management from Arizona State University - College of Public Service & Community Solutions.
