About The Foundation

Paul Chelko

The Chelko Foundation was officially established in 2005 after the death of Paul Chelko’s wife, Debbie.  Her untimely passing was the result of a terrible fight with breast cancer.  Paul watched his wife die a “terrible and ugly death” which he believed, “no woman should have to go through.”  Paul said “There are dogs that get better treatment (humane deaths) than Debbie got.”  He had a vision for a world where woman are free and do not have to suffer.  Paul set out to make a difference for women all over the world through empowerment.  The Chelko Foundation obtained its not-for-profit 501(c)3 status in 2007.  Thus, The Chelko Foundation was born into reality and no longer just a dream for Paul.

His ideas for the Foundation, before his death June 2, 2007, were far reaching and will continue under the guidance of a select group of people hand picked by Paul.

”There are opportunityies with the foundation for women to become empowered…to create who they are.  Focused on ending gender discrimination as Paul states,

 “Until women are free, no one is free.  This will be new, creative and productive.  We will do this together.  I’m here to offer myself unconditionally, but IT will tell us how it wants to fulfill its destiny.  This will alter the future of human kind.  It is a vehicle to allow people to help themselves, to learn how to empower themselves, to provide resources.  Empowerment is a natural by-product of positive energy.”

Our Mission

To Empower all women through art, education, and partnership to create a better life for themselves and their children.

The Chelko Foundation will act as a fund raising arm for:

  • V-day Atlanta- a global movement to stop violence against women and girls.