2021 Annual Update

Impact one connection can change the story of disability

99 Balloons 2021 Annual Update

Contents 06 BUILDING FOR INCLUSION

10 DISABILITY IN THE COLLEGE CLASSROOM 11 SEASONS WITH 99 BALLOONS

12

908 MILES OF HOPE

04

08

14 FRIENDSHIP TO FACETIME

16 2021 AND A LOOK AHEAD

19 FINAL THOUGHTS FROM MATT AND GINNY

INTERNSHIP WITH PURPOSE

A CHANGING CHURCH CULTURE

A 99 Balloons intern and

Starting a rEcess led to a

P.O. BOX 10934

fellow shares how her

church becoming more

FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72703

experience with persons

inclusive and include

affected by disability led

children experiencing

her to raise money to fight

disability in their camps

sex traficking.

for the first time.

WWW.99BALLOONS.ORG

2

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

SARAH HARRIMAN:

A Letter from the Executive Director Welcome to the 99 Balloons 2021 Annual Update.

The past year was one none of us will soon forget.

While

it brought about incredible hardship and isolation, it also gave us at 99 Balloons a chance to think outside the box, assess

current

programming,

and

to

lay

a

solid

foundation for life post-pandemic. We were able to take time

to

evaluate

communities.

what

truly

creates

inclusive

As we said last year, even when face-to-

face programming pauses or looks different, it is the relationships that remain. Relationships will always be at the heart of everything 99 Balloons does.

This

year,

the

focus

of

our

annual

update

is

impact of your relationships with 99 Balloons.

on

the

You are

proving time and time again that even just one small interaction

with

99

Balloons

and

people

experiencing

disability can lead to changed lives. YOU are making an impact and helping us change the story of disability.

As financial supporters, your money is not only going to support

important

programming

like

Equip training, or global education. meaningful

opportunities

for

rEcess,

bEfriend,

It is also providing

interactions

with

persons

affected by disability which is leading to relationships, inclusion, and life transformation.

I hope you enjoy reading about how the 99 Balloons community is changing the world for the kingdom of God one interaction at a time.

With gratitude,

Sarah Harriman

HOW WE ARE CHANGING THE STORY OF DISABILITY 99 BALLOONS CREATES

TRAINING

PROGRAMMING

Equip Training Program Engage Labs Cohorts Notable Films

rEcess * bEfriend Global Trips * Internship & Fellowship Program

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES All-In Sponsorships One-time Gifts Monthly Recurring Gifts

TO INCREASE AWARENESS & OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILITY

PEOPLE START THINKING DIFFERENTLY

RELATIONSHIPS GROW INTO COMMUNITY

PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DISABILTY ARE SEEN, INCLUDED, AND VALUED IN CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES

4

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

ANNA RHODES

Internship with Purpose Getting connected to 99 Balloons my freshman year of college helped me narrow my focus on my

career

people

and

with

heart

for

disabilities.

the

community

Through

99

of

Balloons

and specifically my time as a fellow and an intern, I have been able to sit and listen to people with disabilities, their parents, and their siblings

on

advocate

how

for

to

their

best

be

families.

a The

friend

and

friendships

made through 99 Balloons have spurred me on to

advocating

injustices

that

for take

big

and

place

intimidating

including

sex

trafficking.

Trafficking is a heavy and cruel thing on its own, but it became shockingly more personal for me when I saw the true target it poses on my friends with disabilities.

I

am

currently

biking

1700

miles

down

the

Pacific coast with a non-profit called Pedal the Pacific to fundraise for the fight against sex trafficking.

I

want

to

be

able

to

make

sure

people with disabilities have the tools needed to live life to the fullest. And if that means fighting against trafficking, I will do just that.

99 BALLOONS

"So, I am only one person, but still I am one person. "

5

6

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

JOHN AND JANE RAY

Building for Inclusion

7

99 BALLOONS

John and Jane Ray founded Olivia's Basket after the death of their daughter Olivia in 2009. In her honor, they build homes for families in crisis.

John and Jane are faithful 99 Balloons volunteers and supporters. They share below how their experience with 99 Balloons has shaped how their organization has shifted its focus to building homes for those affected by disability.

"We need to go to Mexico together. I see so many families suffering there, but none as much as those experiencing disability. I don’t know the best way to help." I knew it was a lot to ask, but I’d also seen the tremendous impact 99 Balloons was

having

with

families

here

in

the

states,

families in my own church. We started hosting rEcess

at

our

church

a

few

years

back

and

helping host conferences when they needed it.

Rarely have I ever worked with a group of people with such capacity and focus, making immediate impact

and

while

engaging

in

long

term

commitment and programing.

But I also knew this would be a stretch. It took a while

to

coordinate

schedules,

but

we

finally

pulled it off in November of 2019. Teams from 99 Balloons, our organization and Ekko Church in Orange County all met up to build a house for Edgar and Omar, a single father caring for his teenage son with cerebral palsy who up to that point had been living out of their van. It was exciting, humbling, challenging and left all of us with a desire to do more. I can’t imagine ever having the ability to pull something like this off without the support and expertise of 99 Balloons.

And I know this home will just be the first of many we build together.

-John and Jane Ray Founders of Olivia's Basket

WHEN WE BEGAN HOSTING RECESS, WE STARTED TO SEE A CULTURE SHIFT AT OUR CHURCH. TRACY BENDITZ BATTLECREEK CHURCH

9

99 BALLOONS

TRACY BENDITZ:

One program can change a church culture While our church has always had a heart to serve those with disability, when we began hosting rEcess, we started to see a culture shift in our church. Not only were families so grateful that we saw them and were finding a way to provide them some respite, church members

who

have

never

served

with

our

disability ministry came out of the woodwork and asked how they could help.

Our

ministry

as

a

whole

has

become

healthier as families receive this respite and know

that

belong taken

they

where care

truly their

of.

do

have

children

With

this

a will

place be

growth

to

well and

awareness, we for the first time this summer were able to invite some of our kids and students to attend our camps. This year they are

on-site,

so

we

were

able

to

invite

6

elementary kids and 3 students to attend our camps.

This

has

never

been

done

at

our

church before as far as I know.

The reaction of parents when we invite them to rEcess or when we called and invited their child to attend camp has been so rewarding. Parents come back from rEcess with beaming smiles or tears in their eyes because it was so good for their soul to have some time away. When we told them their child could attend camp, they were surprised and have expressed such gratitude. It wasn’t easy to make sure we could have them attend safely, but all the work was worth it to see our kiddos have fun and see parents so excited.

Because of rEcess our church has become not a place WITH a disability ministry, but a place for ALL people, INCLUDING those with disabilities.

10

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

MELISSA HALL:

Incorporating disability into the college classroom As a member of the Fayetteville community, I have

the

privilege

of

watching

firsthand

the

impact 99 Balloons has on our community. Not only

have

our

disability

friends

greatly

and

family

benefited

experiencing

from

the

many

programs offered by 99 Balloons, but I personally have grown because my perspective of disability has

grown

and

understanding because

of

of the

changed. faith

is

My

more

relationships

life

and

my

rich

and

full

I

share

with

individuals experiencing disability.

Although

I

professor,

am I

a

had

mental never

health

therapist

received

and

training

or

education specific to the needs of individuals and

families

experiencing

disability

before

my

involvement with 99 Balloons. This is a huge gap in

most

helping

profession

training

programs,

including the one that I lead. I am so excited that is about to change! After collaborating with 99

Balloons

we

were

able

to

add

a

course

specific to the helping profession and disability.​ Beginning in the fall of 2021, students within the Family and Human Services Department at John Brown University will have the opportunity to take this course. It is my hope that my students will grow in their understanding and knowledge of disability, become more inclusive, and take the step

to

get

disability!

involved

in

changing

the

story

of

11

99 BALLOONS

JOSH AND EMILY RICHARDSON:

Seasons with 99 Balloons We came to know 99 Balloons as newlyweds when I was

recruited

However,

to

volunteer

pediatrics

specialty,

and

medically

fragile

and

frankly,

I

at

rEcess

disabilities was

as

a

were

not

my

by

the

confronted

our

intimidated

participants.

We

nurse.

personal insecurities and fears and volunteered with 99 Balloons because we loved the inclusion story and the broader vision for the Kingdom. Our rEcess leaders gently and graciously educated us with their expertise and knowledge. We learned about inclusion and how to come alongside families to offer encouragement and support.

Over the past 15 years, our contributions have changed based on our season of life - financial donors, annual banquet attendees, on-call volunteers. Most recently our family of five has reached a season where we are all

able

to

contribute

to

the

vision

of

99

Balloons

financially and by volunteering at rEcess. My kids have built authentic friendships at rEcess while I volunteer as a nurse and Josh shoots hoops and runs laps with his buddy. Transparently, there are weeks where we feel exhausted and by Friday night we're ready for a break. But rEcess breathes life into us and the Father always meets us in an outpouring of love, laughter, and connection. Our kids love Friday nights at rEcess and are learning to model empathy and inclusion for kids their age with differing abilities. rEcess is a sacred place filled with mutual blessing, so whatever season you

are

in,

understand

embrace the

unique

the

role

value

of

you

can

physical

play,

but

presence,

because in the friendships and laughter is where the richest blessings live.

12

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

JOSH FOHNER:

908 Miles of Hope

On September 27, 2016, Josh Fohner was struck by a vehicle as he biked home from his

morning

Colorado. fractured

workout

He

in

suffered

vertebrae,

fractures,

and

a

a

Buena

Vista,

broken

neck,

multiple

severe

facial

traumatic

brain

injury. He was in a coma for 15 months.

Since then, Josh has experienced amazing progress in recovery. He is cognitive, able to

communicate

communication ambulate

his

with device,

the

use

and

chair

using

head

two

years,

Josh

of

able

a to

and

knee

has

been

switches.

For

the

past

preparing challenge:

for

his

riding

908

greatest miles

on

physical his

YUMI

bike purchased with help from 99 Balloons from

Buena

Vista,

Colorado

hometown in Springdale, Arkansas.

to

his

13

99 BALLOONS

"In every life there is always hope."

"Along

interesting

beginning to take steps. These developments were

people. We traveled along low traffic density roads

something doctors told us was next to impossible,

through

towns

especially 4 1/2 years post-injury.

were

of

11

the

road

us

we

with who

met

very

all

small

made

the

kinds

of

populations. entire

There

journey

with

another two-dozen joining us at some point on the

We believe that every life is a gift from our heavenly

main tour. The ride ended with what we called the

Father no matter what the cicrumstance because in

Ride For Hope. It was the final leg of the journey

every life there is the potential to change the hearts

and

of others.

close

to

150

riders

rode

the

Razorback

In every life there is always hope.

Our

Greenway for the final stretch from Bentonville to

prayer is that others who are facing challenges in

Springdale.

their lives might discover this truth and set a course to reach their Divine potential, 'for you are fearfully

Over the course of Josh’s training for the ride as well

as

the

ride

itself,

Josh’s

ability

to

and wonderfully made!'

maintain

cadence increased dramatically. The strength in his

Thank

lower quads has also increased. The combination

Josh's YUMI bike.

of these two developments has Josh at a place where he can almost stand on his own and is

into

you,

Josh's

enough."

99

Balloons,

dream,

for

helping

us

purchase

99 Balloons was the first to buy and

we

cannot

thank

you

-The Fohners

all

14

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

ANNA AND JORDAN

Friendship to FaceTime Several years ago, the Brill family, together with friends, started a bEfriend group. The Brills have a daughter with disabilities, which led them to spend significant time thinking about what her life will look like as an adult. Ashley Brill wondered, “Where are the adults that are like her? They’re nowhere. One of our fears is that she will disappear, and we want to know that when she’s an adult there are inclusive communities for her."

With

this

in

mind,

the

Brills

began

building

friendships through bEfriend. Ashley gladly shares, “I tell people all the time, it's the most fun thing we do – it’s just been one of the sweetest gifts.”

The Brill family began to connect with Jordan through bEfriend. Jordan, an adult with disabilities, was timid at first, but jumped in bravely. However, shortly after, Covid forced their bEfriend group to continue via Zoom. At this time, one of the Brills' daughters, Anna, began to FaceTime Jordan regularly.

Starting off with once or twice a week, Jordan and Anna regularly spent time giving each other tours of their bedrooms, sharing movie recommendations and talking about their days. Together with their moms Jordan and Anna have done girls’ nights over Zoom, played games like “Would you rather…”, and just enjoyed friendship. “Anna enjoys Jordan, and Jordan enjoys Anna,” Anna’s mom states, adding that it’s been a strange positive result of Covid for their family - a lack of ability to see each other put on the pressure to interact more intentionally.

As school has picked back up for Anna, their FaceTime interactions have become less frequent, but the Brill family and their bEfriend group are thankful to once again be meeting outside and in person. Their hope is to have monthly casual and fun activities, as well as an intentional meal together where they can pray, share scripture, and encourage each other, further sharing the gift of friendship.

99 BALLOONS

15

“I tell people all the time, it's the most fun thing we do – it’s just been one of the sweetest gifts.”-Ashley Brill

16

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

What a year!

Even though this year was unusual, it was still full

of

important

events

in

the

life

of

99

Balloons.

We

moved

in

to

our

new

office

space

and

sensory room at 101 W Mountain, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

We are loving it!

A huge thank you

to the individuals and companies who invested in our sensory room.

99 Balloons underwent a complete rebranding and website redesign.

There were 59 respite events held last year in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. new

rEcess

sites

in

Pennsylvania

We added and

Texas,

with 7 more launching in the upcoming months.

Over $15,000 in sponsorships were paid out to our global partners in four countries in Africa, Asia, and North America to provide community care and education for children experiencing disability across the globe.

We purchased technology that will better serve our rEcess and bEfriend sites and serve as a "one stop shop" for all our volunteers.

Matt, Sarah and Rebecca were able to speak at three conferences, virtually and in person.

99 BALLOONS

17

Financial Update Income vs. Expense

Distribution of Funds Administration

$414,471

Income

15%

Fundraising

$423,694

Expense

Net Income

8%

-$9,224

Programming 77%

99 Balloons Program Locations

rEcess bEfriend

ANNUAL UPDATE 2021

18

A Look Ahead We are excited for what the next year holds for 99 Balloons and want to give you a sneak peak into our plans!

Now

that

we

database

in

have

our

new

place,

WE

ARE

technology READY

and

TO

LET

BEFRIEND LOOSE! We are looking forward to adding to our current sites in Arkansas, Missouri and Oregon. Thank you, Tebow Foundation, for investing in this important work.

Our brand new training platform, Equip, is in production

thanks

Collective. learning

We

to

will

a

be

management

grant

from

releasing system

it

Legacy

in

later

a

this

new year.

Anyone can work through Equip training and become

more

educated

on

how

to

become

more inclusive or begin a 99 Balloons program.

Through Equip, we are also in the process of developing training involved

in

and curriculum for those

disability

work

globally.

We

are

cultivating new partnerships and are excited about the possibility of creating 99 Balloons Global Communities in the future.

We launch our very first Engage Labs cohort this fall.

Our

cohort

members

will

connect,

receive personalized training, and provide the next

generation

of

mentors

for

disability

mentors and nonprofit leaders.

We

are

thrilled

to

welcome

member, Madeline Huisjen.

a

new

staff

She comes to us

from Jill's House in the Washington D.C. area and will be helping with our communications and other administrative tasks.

Final Thoughts Thank you for joining with us at 99 Balloons as we seek to change the story of disability! We believe- with you on our team- our best days and greatest impact is yet to come. Our message and work is a timely one for a weary and divided world:

There is no "us" and no "them" We need each other.

Our worth does not derive from anything we have done, but by our being made in the image of God.

Matt and Ginny Mooney Founders

To learn more about 99

Balloons

ongoing

and

work

create

everyone

so

can

life

our

that

live

a

within

relationships, out

to

inclusive

communities

full

our

check

website

at

www.99balloons.org.

If

you

would

support

our

like

to

ongoing

efforts to change the story

of

disability,

please

visit:

www.99balloons.org /donate.

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 10934 Fayetteville, AR 72703

www.99balloons.org