A Chance In Life 2018-19 Annual Report

A Note from our President

“I’d like to introduce you to someone special,” said Fr. Habte, Program Director in Ethiopia. “Fikre is 12 years old and one of our top students,” he added while gently guiding a shy young woman towards our group of donors

Only a few months earlier, she had lost her father, an agronomist working for Fr Habte, in a tragic car accident Fr Habte told us with tears on his face how Fikre’s father was bedridden in a hospital for several weeks before he finally surrendered to his injuries and passed away In his final hours, he summoned Fr Habte and begged him to take care of his two children and wife, who was battling breast cancer.

Soon after his death, Fikre’s family lost their house because they could not afford the rent. Fr. Habte received a plot of land as a donation, and asked A Chance In Life if we could help build a home for Fikre, her brother and her mother In no time, donors like you raised the money needed to restore hope to Fikre’s family

Even after returning home to New York City, we continued receiving news of how the family’s new home had changed their lives Fikre continues in the 8th grade as a citizen of Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of Ethiopia, and her mother has a peaceful place to rest as she continues her fight against breast cancer Fikre’s brother, who is autistic, has the structure and security he needs to feel safe and happy

I am so proud of A Chance In Life’s family. Your commitment enables us to be an organization with both the heart to change the life of a single child, and the capacity to help entire communities flourish. Fikre is one of over 3,000 children receiving a chance in life this year at our Towns in Italy, Ethiopia, India and Latin America.

Next year will mark 75 years of serving at-risk youth, an achievement your generosity has made possible Let’s celebrate the legacy of our visionary founder Msgr John Patrick Carroll-Abbing with this important milestone And let’s not forget what he said "Until every child is free from hunger and suffering, we have no right to stop " On behalf of all of our citizens around the world - thank you!

August 13, 1945

nor Carroll-Abbing and Rivolta open The Boys' blic in Civitavecchia to a chance in life to the hans of World War II

October 6, 1953

first stone is placed at wn of Italy, a town run hildren located on the outskirts of Rome.

June 4, 1951

The Certificate of Incorpo of a new American char agency called "Boys' Tow Italy, Inc " is filed

January 15, 1957

A villa near Rome is don actress Linda Darnell an Town of Italy opens its d

June 4, 1987

is named an honorary ome He was the third to receive this honor, Presidents Woodrow Franklin D Roosevelt

July 9, 2001

signor Carroll-Abbing way surrounded by his citizens" of Boys' and Girls' Towns of Italy.

February 11, 1988

Our visionary founder, M Carroll-Abbing, is nomi the Nobel Peace Prize f with at-risk children

June 16, 2015

Boys' & Girls' Towns of created to address the children in one of the p countries in the world.

October 5, 2015

nization assumes the of "A Chance In Life" onor the vision of our under and reflect our ernational expansion

April 27, 2018

ce In Life collaborates he Italian Permanent to the United Nations an international panel discussion at the UN

June 7, 2

Boys' & founded extreme children

June 12,

Our boa to Latin In Life w 1,700 kid

Our Story

In 1945, Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing founded Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy in Rome and in Civitavecchia to provide "a chance in life" to the homeless children living on the streets of post-World War II Italy. He believed that if young people were supported to take responsibility for their lives and their communities, they would grow into caring, self-sufficient adults. Self-government has been the source of success at our Towns for over 70 years.

Today in our Towns in Italy, we empower poor, refugee and migrant youth. These children have escaped war, poverty and persecution and now live together and run their own Towns. In the last four years, A Chance In Life expanded its programs to South Asia, Northeast Africa and Latin America. Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of Ethiopia is changing the lives of 400 young people in one of the poorest countries in the world. Boys' & Girls' Towns of India is helping over 1,000 children, mostly girls, receive the support they need to stay in school. Last year, our Board approved the expansion of our programs to support more than 1,700 marginalized children in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and

Self-government has been the source of success at our Towns for 74 years. It is the essence of life in the Towns and provides the citizens, as the young people are called, with the skills, confidence and creativity to become active participants in their communities.

Monsignor Carroll-Abbing’s approach to human development was simple yet powerful: if young people are supported to take responsibility for their lives and their communities, they will grow into caring, self-sufficient adults.

While the approach takes shape differently in each Town, self-government gives young people the opportunity to have a voice in creating their future. By meeting regularly, writing their own by-laws, electing their own leaders and deciding their own agendas, our young people develop self-esteem and mutual respect. Throughout the years in their Town they know that they are trusted, that their dignity is respected and that their capabilities are encouraged.

Self-Government 7

4million

refugeechildrenareoutofschool.

OurTownsprovideacademictutoringandpsychological supporttohelpourcitizensadjusttoschoolintheirnew country.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy

Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy is composed of two communities of self-governed young people. Both La Città dei Ragazzi (Rome) and La Repubblica dei Ragazzi (Civitavecchia) were founded by Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing after World War II. The youth of the Towns come from over 20 different countries escaping violence, poverty and injustice. The Towns' success lies in the innovative model of self-government where the children take responsibility for running their own communities.

At the Towns, the young people relate to one another as citizens. Each citizen is encouraged and supported to become an active and creative participant in his or her community. The children attend local schools, study in a European Union recognized vocational training program and are exposed to a variety of cultural and educational experiences. Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of Italy have given a chance in life to over 32,000 children.

Nearly50%

ofEthiopiangirlswhostartschoolwill dropoutbeforefinishingthefifthgrade.

OurTownsensureourchildrenhavethesupportthey needtosucceedinschool.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of Ethiopia

Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of Ethiopia builds on the solid foundation of the work done in Italy over the past 70 years. Throughout the last decade, many young people arriving at our Towns in Italy were from Northeastern Africa. In 2015, A Chance In Life inaugurated Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of Ethiopia to open up new possibilities for children in one of the poorest countries of the world. A Chance In Life is working with the young and dynamic Diocese of Emdibir to support the lives of 400 children through three different programs.

The first program gives 100 girls access to education by providing homes close to the local high school. Boys' & Girls' Towns of Ethiopia also supports 100 young people living with disabilities and 200 orphans and vulnerable children. At bimonthly meetings, each group comes together to share their challenges and to encourage one another to

Indiahasthehighestabsolutenumberof childbridesintheworld.Girlswitha secondaryeducationare timesless likelytomarryaschildren.

Throughvocationaltrainingandacademicsupport,our Townsprepareourcitizensforemploymentorcollege.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of India

In October 2016, we inaugurated Boys’ & Girls’ Towns of India to provide a chance in life to over 1,000 extremely poor girls and boys living in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Located on the south coast of India, these states are densely populated and culturally diverse. They are also home to many tribal communities, most of which live well below the poverty line. Many children in these communities do not have basic necessities or access to education. Often, they are enrolled in programs for a better life.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of India supports twelve of these programs. The young men and women of our Towns in India are given a home, an education and the opportunity to develop as self-confident and responsible members of their communities through selfgovernment.

LatinAmericahasthesecond-highestteen pregnancyrateintheworld.Ifallwomen completedsecondaryeducation,early birthscouldfallbyasmuchas .59%

OurTownsprovideouryoungpeoplewiththesupport theyneedtostayinschool.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of Latin America

On June 12, 2018, the Board of Directors of A Chance In Life approved the expansion of our programs in Latin America. Our global organization continues to provide a chance in life to at-risk youth throughout the world. In the past four years, the vision of our founder has reached six more countries, serving children living on the margins of our society.

Boys' & Girls' Towns of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Guatemala is changing the lives of over 1,700 children coming from backgrounds of extreme poverty. In collaboration with the Christian Brothers and the Missionaries of the Divine Redemption, A Chance In Life supports ten homes for children in need across these four countries.

Young people in Central and South America, particularly those in rural areas, face a host of obstacles to completing school and building their own future. A Chance In Life works to remove those obstacles and provide the resources our children need to succeed.

Our Impact

74 4

years ago, our first Town was founded to support thousands of war orphans living on the streets of Italy. Since then, we have expanded to continents to serve youth in some of the poorest regions in the world.

Our founder once said, "Until every child is free from hunger and suffering, we have no right to stop." A Chance In Life continues this legacy by providing a chance in life to over at-risk youth each year.

3,000

32,000

at-risk youth have escaped violence, poverty and persecution to find a safe home at our Towns in Italy.

1,000 orphans and tribal children in India are in school and becoming caring leaders in their communities.

400

children in Ethiopia have access to food, shelter, an education and the support they need to thrive.

1,700

marginalized children are supported by our programs in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru.

Meet Our Citizens

Giulia, Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy

"When I was 13 years old, my mother put me on a bus from Romania to Italy. I didn't know anybody and I had no place to go. Here I found a new home, where the program staff help us solve our problems and communicate with us, just like parents would do When I'm older, I want to use my art skills as an architect or set designer in Italy."

Hiwot, Boys' & Girls' Towns of Ethiopia

ool because I didn't want to carry the shame el when they don't know how to read or write. I derstand things the way my educated brothers g from high school and preparing to attend

Soniya, Boys' & Girls' Towns of India

"My parents struggled to find work every day, and couldn't afford to send me to school. Even if we had the money, our village was too far from the nearest school to walk there safely Now I am in the eighth grade and want to become a nurse."

Josué, Boys' & Girls' Towns of Guatemala

"My father left when I was a baby, and my mother struggles to support both of us She sent me here to make sure I finished school and had enough food to eat. I like studying Spanish and playing with my friends."

News and Media

If you would like to hear more about the work of A Chance In Life, there is no need to wait for an annual report! A constant stream of news and stories from our Towns and supporters is available through:

Quarterly Newsletters

Monthly Email Notes from our President Social Media Channels

A Chance In Life's Blog

achanceinlife.org

office@achanceinlife.org

@achanceinlife

facebook.com/achanceinlife

Supporting Our Work

Your Gifts

Provide the backbone of support for our programs in Italy, Ethiopia, India and Latin America

Provide funding for expansion of the approach developed by our founder, in order to impact the lives of hundreds more at-risk youth around the world

Whether your support takes the form of an outright gift or a planned gift, there are a number of flexible options for your charitable goals and financial circumstances Gifts are tax deductible

Online giving is a quick and easy way to make your contribution You may make a gift online at achanceinlife org

Many employers will give matching gifts to match charitable donations made by their employees. Donors can double their gift when matched by their employer’s gift program. Check with your human resources department to see if your company matches charitable gifts.

Gifts of appreciated stock often provide the donor with substantial tax savings. Please contact the Development Team for instructions for the transfer of stock.

A Planned Gift helps ensure the future of our work through gifts of cash or securities. They include gifts stipulated in a will, or beneficiary designations of life insurance policies or other assets such as IRAs A planned gift allows you to arrange your assets to benefit you, your loved ones and A Chance In Life’s mission now and in the future

The Sponsorship Program is our monthly giving program Donors sponsor a child with an ongoing monthly commitment of $30 per month You are connected with a child from one of our Towns in Italy, Ethiopia or India

An Honor or Memorial Gift can mark a special occasion or be given to remember or honor a beloved family member or friend We will send your honoree or their family a letter acknowledging your generosity

For more information please contact us at office@achanceinlife org or 212-980-8770

Financials

Programs: 83.09%

General Management: 8.88%

88%

Our complete financial statements with the report of our independent auditors, Daszkowski, Tompkins, Weg & Carbonella CPA PC, are available upon request. Your contributions to A Chance In Life are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

824%

Fundraising: 7.18%

88%

Memorable Events of the Year

NEW YORK ANNUAL GALA

Top: Guy Chiarello (President of First Data) was presented with our Man of the Year award by Italy's Consul General Francesco Genuardi and Gala Chair Tim Tynan (CEO of Bank of America Merchant Services)

Left: Sal Cucchiara (CIO & Head of Wealth Management Technology for Morgan Stanley) gave a stirring speech after being named our A Chance In Life Award ipient.

t: Kassy Kebede (Founder and Managing Partner of heus Growth Capital Partners), pictured with Father home Fikre (National Program Director of Boys' & ' Towns of Ethiopia), accepted the Global enship Award

April 30, our three incredible honorees broke all ious records to raise over $1 million for our young ple!

WINE & SPIRITS DINNER

JasonGlasser,CEOofBeverageMediaGroup,and AldoBozzi,OwnerofMezzalunaRestaurant,were namedAChanceInLife'sMenoftheYearatthe Wine&SpiritsAnnualInternationalDinner.

OnDecember4,restauranteursandleadersfrom thewineandspiritsindustryfilledtheNewYork AthleticClubtocelebrateourhonoreesandraise supportforthechildrenofAChanceInLife

SAN FRANCISCO BALL OF THE YEAR

OnMay11,SanFranciscoManoftheYearSergioNibbiwas presentedhisawardbyGabrieleDelmonaco(PresidentofA ChanceInLife)andhisbrother,LarryNibbi(ViceChairman ofAChanceInLife).

SergioandLarryhavebothattendedtheSanFranciscoBall oftheYearforoverfiftyyears Thisyeartheyhelpedraise over$420,000tocontinueourfounderMonsignorCarrollAbbing'slegacyofcaringforat-riskyouth

Our Board and Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mr. Mauro Romita Chairman

Mr. Lawrence Nibbi Vice Chair

Mr. Robert M. Iommazzo Vice Chair

Ms. Emilie Puzio Secretary

Mr. Stephen Bellini Treasurer

Mrs. Kate Bullis

Mr. Eugene Ceccotti

Mr. Gabriele Delmonaco

Mr. Vincent Fyfe

Mr. Herman Hochberg

Mrs. Jeanine Margiano

Mr. Roy Van Pelt

Mrs. Beth Woldesemayiat

H. E. Card. Giuseppe Versaldi

Prefect Congr. Catholic Education (Honorary Member)

TEAM MEMBERS

Gabriele Delmonaco President/Executive Director

Sung Ioffredo Vice President

Alex Guyton Director of Communications

Martina Siniscalco Donor Relations Manager, West Coast

Loziana Vejuka Office Manager

Caroline Ziccardi Development Assistant