2016 Annual Update

NNUAL UPDATE A

2016

Thank You 365 days of pushing, connecting, serving and loving our way to changing the story of disability.

I often say that Ginny & I are a very small piece of a very large thing. This year God has made this statement even more evident and all the more true. As 99 Balloons spreads into communities at an increasing rate, we have worked this year to further define our direction, what we do best and where we are headed in the future. I am more certain of and excited for the path that we are headed down.

There is no 99 Balloons without you. And look what you did this year: • You, volunteers who gave over 9,306.5 hours to provide respite for families in 28 communities.

• You, who provided $6500 through the 99 Network to fund projects benefitting persons experiencing disability in Uganda, North India and Zimbabwe.

• You, 5 churches that launched rEcess for your community this year.

• You, who screened, watched and shared Notable: Central Asia, our second documentary bringing awareness to the global experience of disability.

• You, who attended the Engage Conference to discuss disability and the church.

• You, who made all this and more possible through your generosity and gifts.

Yes, there’s a lot going on. But there is a clear driving purpose and call within all of your activity across the globe with 99 Balloons. We are building inclusive communities for persons with disability­ because change happens when relationships are built. In this­ our 9th year as an organization­ we invite you to continue on the journey with us as we go deeper into what it means to live in communities where persons of all ability are included, valued and loved.

MATT MOONEY

99 BALLOONS

HOW WE CREATE CHANGE

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WHEN PEOPLE WITHOUT DISABILITIES GET TO KNOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEY START TO CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

WE INCREASE

A

WARENESS

A

BOUT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY.

NOTABLE FILM 99 NETWORK HANDCRAFTED STORYTELLING

WE DESIGN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE OF FAITH INTERACT WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY.

FAYETTEVILLE RECESS RECESS SITES GLOBAL TRIPS

WE OFFER TRAINING FOR INNOVATIVE LEADERS.

ENGAGE CONFERENCE CONSULTING/COACHING

IMPACT

PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY A

ND

INCLUDED

A

RE

IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

VALUED

WE INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY.

Notable Documentary Series Most people do not have a frame of reference for what disability looks like in a developing country. Our Notable documentary series depicts both the harsh realities of disability in other countries, as well as captures the mercy and joy that emerges. Storytelling changes the story of disability by raising awareness and by giving a platform to people and stories that often go unheard. You can play a role in raising awareness and changing the story of disability by hosting a screening of our newest Notable film in your home, church or community.

Visit 99balloons.org/notable for more information about hosting a film screening.

SCREENING KIT: Whether you want to host a screening in your house or in your community, we want to help! A documentary screening kit is available for purchase in order to help make your event a success.

99 Network The 99 Network is a group of passionate people who are actively changing the story of disability by funding global projects that fuel inclusive communities for persons experiencing disability and their families. Through the 99 Network, this past year we were able to fund and build a Sensory Garden for a children's home for kids with disability in Uganda, fund a dental clinic for children and families experiencing disability in rural North India, and support an equestrian therapy program for children with disability in Zimbabwe. Consider joining the 99 Network for $9.99 a month or more. 99­er’s receive stories and updates on global projects, as well as information and invitation to join our Global Trips.

Join the 99 Network and change the story of disability: 99balloons.org/99-network

GLOBAL IMPACT: $53,799.36 funding projects benefitting persons experiencing disability in Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Ukraine, Uganda, Kenya, India, Palestine, and Zimbabwe.

Handcrafted Our annual fundraiser is an art night event in Fayetteville centered around the theme Handcrafted. This theme embodies our belief that every human is created beautiful in the image of God. Guests roam through curated stations of local art, mingle with artists, watch art demos, and have the opportunity to learn more about the local and global work of 99 Balloons as well as ways to partner with us to help change the story of disability.

Interested in attending or hosting Handcrafted in your area? Email info@99balloons.org

SAVE THE DATE: Our next Handcrafted event will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 in Fayetteville, AR. Join us for a night of art and vision benefitting the local and global work of 99 Balloons.

Info coming at 99balloons.org/art

Storytelling We have been given many opportunities to champion the importance of building inclusive communities. This year, through conversations with individuals, speaking opportunities at conferences, and even addressing a graduation ceremony crowd for Barnabas Prep ­ we have connected with over 847 people as we increase awareness of disability and inclusion.

Interested in having us speak to your group or church? Email info@99balloons.org

IMPACT:

847 INDIVIDUALS 60 CHURCHES 9 COUNTRIES

WE DESIGN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE OF FAITH INTERACT WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY.

Fayetteville rEcess It’s amazing to think that our first rEcess back in 2007 consisted of 12 kids and a handful of wide­eyed volunteers.

Now, we average 5 new families a year and 80 seasoned volunteers per night. Such growth was unforeseeable back in 2007, but as rEcess continues to grow, we are humbled by the deep, meaningful relationships that form between families, kids, and volunteers. rEcess is changing the story of disability by bringing families who are experiencing disability into community and serving them through loving their children in a safe and ridiculously fun environment.

Want to volunteer at rEcess? Visit 99balloons.org to view the rEcess Map & contact info.

LAST YEAR: 8 Fayetteville rEcess events allowed 195 spots for kids with disabilities & 182 spots for siblings to have a blast with trained volunteers who served for a total of 2682 hours.

rEcess Sites If we couldn’t imagine a rEcess night packing out a church back in 2007, then we definitely couldn’t fathom a rEcess movement; and yet, that is what we have! With 28 rEcess sites in the US, Canada and Australia and 15 more churches preparing to launch rEcess this upcoming school year, we are watching inclusive communities grow. 99 Balloons has focused a lot of energy into developing volunteer training, procedures and event software to make rEcess a model that works in every community. rEcess is never the end­game, but it is a tangible and empowering starting point for people who have a desire to engage their community and help change the story of disability.

Interested in starting a rEcess in your community? Contact ben@99balloons.org

28 SITES: USA:: AR - Bryant, Decatur, Fayetteville (2), Little Rock, Rogers, Russellville, Siloam Springs (2), Springdale; CA - Fullerton, CO - Colorado Springs, Englewood; GA Fayetteville; LA - Baton Rouge; MD - Jessup; MS - Vicksburg; MO - Bolivar, Festus, Springfield, Warsaw; OK - Stillwater; TN - Nashville; TX - Dallas, Spring CANADA:: ON - Burlington, Toronto AUSTRALIA:: VIC - Carlton

Global Trips Changing the story of disability is not just a local initiative­it’s a global one. Our trip teams are made up of individuals with a variety of skill sets and provide an opportunity for us to continually support, equip, and deepen relationships with those doing incredible work with persons with disability around the world.

In January 2016, we sent a Day Camp Team to organize a week of fun activities for children with disabilities in Uganda, and a Media Team to assist with various photography and videography needs. In July 2016, we are sending a team of special education professionals, a physical therapist, and a licensed counselor to Haiti to train and equip Haitians working with children with disability.

Join us on a Global Trip! Visit 99balloons.org/trips for current trip offerings.

UPCOMING TRIPS: NORTH INDIA 2016 - A team of specialists will be working with our partners in the rural foothills of the Himalayas this Fall. They will provide training in areas of Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapy, brain Injuries and inclusive recreation. Through funding and support from the 99 Network a team of builders will also be erecting an inclusive playground in one of the villages to provide a space for kids with disability and those without the opportunity to play together.

UGANDA 2017 - We are sending a team of volunteers and professionals back to Uganda in early 2017 to continue providing support for our partners working with children and families experiencing disability in Uganda.

WE OFFER TRAINING FOR INNOVATIVE LEADERS.

Engage Conference Our annual conference focuses on the intersection of the Church, inclusion, and disability. We believe that when persons with disability aren’t present in the church, we are left with an incomplete and inaccurate picture of the body of Christ. In 2011 we began our annual Engage Conference to start a conversation with the Church and to equip and empower her to help change the story of disability.

Our 2016 Engage Conference hosted over 125 people from 20 different churches from California to Canada. This year we had a family track, church leadership track and a self­advocacy track with topics ranging from Caregiver self­care, to special needs adoption, to the rights you have as a person with disability. Our speakers varied from doctors to moms to Barnabas Prep students, leaving our attendees informed, encouraged and empowered to impact their communities.

Our next Engage Conference is Saturday, February 25, 2017. Info coming at 99balloons.org

NEW TRACK: This year we added a self­advocacy track for persons with disability led by persons with disability. We look forward to continuing to expand our conference offerings next year as we seek to help build more inclusive communities.

Consulting/Coaching Our Equipping Team is constantly connecting with churches and individuals in order train and equip leaders to launch or further their disability and inclusion ministries. These ministry leaders have hearts of gold and desire to see their communities change. We're honored to have the opportunity to equip these individuals in order for big impact to take place in their churches and communities.

Interested in receiving training or consulting services? Email info@99balloons.org

IMPACT:

332 INDIVIDUALS 34 CHURCHES

Staff Matt Mooney Founder, Executive Director Matthew and his wife, Ginny, founded 99 Balloons, an organization that engages individuals with disability locally and globally. Many know him through the story of his son, Eliot, whose life he chronicled in A Story Unfinished. He called the hogs and Fayetteville, Arkansas home.

Ginny Mooney Founder, rEcess Volunteer Ginny Mooney lives in Fayetteville with her husband Matt where she manages the chaos produced in their home by Lena, Hazel & Anders. She is also Eliot's mom and co­founder of 99 Balloons.

Ben Richards Equipping Director Ben met his wife, Heather, while they were both working at Camp Barnabas, a camp designed for children with disabilities. Ben, who has a sibling with a disability, has worked in the disability field for over 10 years and holds an MA in Disability Studies. As the Equipping Director, he assists churches in growing relationships with families experiencing disability.

Ben Yates Office Director Ben and his wife, Kelly, met at Camp Barnabas in 2003, which ignited their passion for helping those with disabilities locally and globally. They adopted their daughter, Stella, from China in 2015. Ben's degree in Organizational Management enables him to manage both the Funding Development and Operations Systems of 99 Balloons.

Staff Blanca Garcia Administration and Communications Blanca joined the staff of 99 Balloons in 2011. Her passions include humanitarian work and photography. She communicates directly with 99 Balloons local and global partners and helps develop the necessary tools to equip them to build more inclusive communities.

Stephanie Marpe Communications Intern Stephanie is a student at the U of A pursing an Art Degree with an emphasis in Visual Media. Although she has a Business Management Degree from Oral Roberts University, she says one degree is not enough! Stephanie loves living in Fayetteville and being able to serve at 99 Balloons.

Board of Directors Dr. Thomas Addington

Justin Heimer

Susan Addington

Sarah Heimer

Matthew Baxter

Mike Rusch

Joshua Bell

Corrie Rusch

Ross Cully

Matt Mooney

Kate Cully

Ginny Mooney

Mark Greenway Rhonda Greenway

Financials INCOME

EXPENSES

$229,230.91

$290,843.66

FUNDRAISING - 15% $43,123.46

PROGRAMMING - 64% $185,287.73

ADMIN - 21% $62,432.46

Story Highlight

[

from Ekko rEcess in Fullerton, CA]

"We started a new program called Parent R&R (Rest and Relaxation) this month. We wanted to create an opportunity for parents to connect and also get pampered. This month's rEcess, we hired massage therapists and manicurists to come and treat our parents. We will be providing snacks and refreshments and hopefully this will allow opportunities for them to find community within rEcess.

Last month, a family had asked to come visit our actual church service and wanted more information on how to come visit...I believe that rEcess has impacted the children in such a positive way that the parents are more willing to see what church is all about.

As we move into our second year of doing rEcess, it's amazing to see all the relationships we've built with the parents and children. It truly feels like family when we gather on Saturdays. I love seeing the kids run into the room so they can meet their buddies." ­ Caroline Kim, rEcess Director at Ekko Church in Fullerton, California

99BALLOONS.ORG /99balloonsinc @99balloonsorg @99balloonsorg info@99balloons.org PO Box 10934 Fayetteville, AR 72703