About The Michal Movement

Bringing MENUCHA to one family at a time

My name is Akiva Kraus. By trade, I am a commercial contractor who specializes in the renovation of healthcare facilities. This kind of work is a specialty under the construction umbrella as there are many codes and ADA requirements one needs to know. After many years of doing this, I have decided to use my skill set and knowledge (and the fact that I am a parent of a special needs child with physical disabilities), to explore another avenue within the construction field.
To give you a little background let me start by explaining that my oldest child is Michal (Michelle) who is now 15 years old. Michal was born with a spinal defect called Spina bifida which has her wheelchair bound. Over the years, we have gone through the Medicaid process to make modifications to our home so that we can be somewhat handicap accessible giving our daughter some much needed independence. These modifications have been a huge boost in our daughter’s self-esteem and quality of life. I have seen and know firsthand how modifying a home for special needs can affect the person in need in such a positive manner. This has given me the idea and drive to create “The Michal Movement” (TMM). My immediate mission is to start a not for profit 501c3 to help families fund and modify their homes to be handicap accessible in whatever way they may need. Whether it’s as simple as widening some doorways or as involved as a complete bathroom or kitchen renovation I would like for my organization to be able to assist with this process.
My short-term goal will be to create a team made up of volunteers such as material vendors, tradesman, subcontractors, designers and architects that are excited by the cause and interested in donating their time or materials. There is so much “red-tape” when it comes to ADA modifications and most often the approvals do not go through. There is a tremendous need for an organization like this and so many people would benefit from it.
I am asking you to help your friends, neighbors and communities. HELP ME - HELP THEM, enough with the never-ending runaround process of paperwork and getting grilled to the third degree which doesn’t end up resulting in anything anyway. Lately, the local government programs have made life uneasy for those looking for some help.
Our organization is named The Michal Movement (“TMM”) - “Bringing menucha to one family at a time”. In order to have proof of concept please make checks out to Ahavas Chessed 613 and put TMM in the memo. Envelopes should be mailed to 27 Westview Road, Spring Valley N.Y. 10977.
I look forward to sharing the unveiling of our first completed project with you.

Thank you & Tizku L’Mitzvos
Akiva Kraus, Founder of The Michal Movement