ANNUAL REPORT
2021
DIRECTOR E IV T U C E X E E H T M O R A NOTE F 2021 on behalf of the Cape
r Annual Report for I am pleased to present ou te to be supported by an incredible group of na d their lives to Assist team. I am so fortu ividuals who have dedicate of ways. ind ic th pa em d an ate on passi riety County community in a va ograms driven by pr supporting our Cape May d an t or pp ach, advocacy, su Countless hours of outre d Cape Assist better connect with our lpe this caring team have he neighbor – but be the go-to od go a be t jus t no to aim community. We . neighbor in times of need – one of only recovery high school y’s rse Je h ut So ate er ating op From helping ipalities guidance in navig our nic mu ing er off to te, sta , and continuing only three in the of recreational marijuana w help children n tio za ali leg de wi testa ho the to help train educators on work with school districts tly out in the field trying to make a positive tan self-regulate, we are cons Cape May County neighbors. our difference in the lives of a number of rld, the pandemic created with every wo e th of st re e th e lik , se t, Of cour and conduct business. Bu lutions. I t ec nn co we w ho in us hurdles for creative so eated an opportunity for obstacle navigated, we cr our team is quite resourceful when it comes say am so grateful that I can they need and are always s ice rv se th wi ity un mm with pride and to connecting our co n. I am continually struck sio ca oc e th to e ris to g willin admiration of my team. collective look year, we are also taking a st pa is th on ck ba k loo rving the As we lebrate our 40 years of se own in just the ce we as fit ro np no r ou has gr back at at how much Cape Assist community. As I look back nprofit, I think of something a little broader e no we’ve 15 years I’ve been with th with, how many families ted ec nn co ’ve we le our op – how many pe connections have had on e os th ct pa im an of ch helped, and how mu community. voted, our incredible team of de th wi ing rk wo joy e lut so nt to make a It has been an ab professionals who truly wa ate on ssi pa d an e tiv or supp touch. difference in the lives they
Katie Faldetta
2022
Celebrates 40 years with a team of over 20 staff members
2014
2001
The organization has an annual budget of $900,000, tripling from the decade prior
1982
Five founding members receive a seed grant from the NJ Department of Health for $25,000
Cape Assist marks one decade in its Wildwood headquarters
1993
The agency becomes Cape Assist after initially being called Cape May Co. Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Cape Assist is dedicated to preventing and treating substance misuse and related issues in Cape May County through education, advocacy, counseling, and community collaboration.
Cape Assist is strongly positioned as the leading prevention and treatment agency serving Cape May County residents. A 501(c)(3), the organization specializes in drug and alcohol education and counseling services. The nonprofit’s work with adult and youth populations in Cape May County has become a vital service for the community, which is possible through strong partnerships and collaborations.
an m s s e Congr n Drew a V f f e J
We spend a lot of time talking about ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experiences, which are traumatic events that negatively affect brain development in ways that cause lasting health challenges, both emotional and physical. More than 40% of children in NJ – more than 782,000 – are estimated to have experienced 1 ACE, and 18% of children are estimated to have experienced multiple ACEs. (Statistics from the report: Adverse Childhood Experiences: Opportunities to Prevent, Protect Against, and Heal from the Effects of ACEs in New Jersey – July 2019). But, research has shown that ACEs can be counterbalanced through positive experiences, support, and nurturing relationships. Let’s talk about a different kind of ACE - Advocacy, Community Collaborations, and Education. Building a resilient community means working on one sector at a time. What started as a substance misuse prevention initiative has turned into a community-wide shift in philosophy.
Advocacy Community Collaborations Education
Building resilient and healthy communities takes multiple sectors coming together and advocating for youth. This advocacy is dependent upon strong collaborative partnerships and community education – all of which the Healthy Community Coalition has been fostering for over 20 years.
Understanding of the ACEs research and emerging brain science has enabled the coalition to broaden its prevention practices and focus on creating a trauma responsive community by utilizing the following three methods.
1. Bring awareness of neuroscience to multiple sectors of the community and inspire them to utilize this knowledge to make their interactions with youth more meaningful and more brain aligned. 2. Have the coalition members look at strategies for community change through a trauma informed lens. 3. Inspire seemingly disconnected sectors of community to collaborate more and weave a tighter community net where children and adolescents can find safety and support.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CAPE ASSIST & MIDDLE TOWNSHIP POLICE YOUTH CAMP VIDEO
John Amenhauser President
Michael Clark Vice President
Dave Joslin Secretary
Cathy Phillip Treasurer
Patty Weeks Trustee
Allison Murphy Trustee
Board Ric Rutherford joined Cape Assist as amend the to d: min in ls President with three goa of tion mission statement from just preven tment; substance misuse to prevention and trea al health; to revitalize the organization’s financi provided s vice and to raise awareness about ser munity, while increasing visibility in the com ent local governments, and law enforcem agencies. ame a After 11 years of service, his goals bec r Katie cto dire reality, and he credits executive through. Faldetta and her staff for seeing them ? One of Ric’s most memorable moments bration cele “The testimonies at the Tree of Hope tell brought me to tears. Hearing everyone ilies fam and s stories about getting their live back after sobriety were powerful and encouraging.” e, but the The work at Cape Assist is never don sion and Board is grateful for Rutherford’s pas acted by commitment to helping all who are imp . nty substance misuse in Cape May Cou
The Cape Assist Board of Tr ustees welcomes new president John Amenha user. John joined the Board in 2019 after being recruited by fellow board member Alliso n Murphy. He believes Cape Assist plays a major role in the community for those wh o are seeking help but may not know where to look. In addition to helping adults wh o are struggling and/or impacted by substan ce misuse, he plans to remain steadfast in the prioritization of education, providing Cape May County youth with programs and ac tivities that shed light on the dangers of subs tance misuse. As Board President, John ho pes for Cape Assist’s continued growth an d prosperity. “I hope to offer more and more services to the Cape May County community that will support, enlighten, and enga ge all those who need and seek our assistance .
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Katie Faldetta Executive Director & CEO
Dan Borawski Director of Operations
Joe Faldetta Director of Prevention Services
Kathy Gibson Director of Recovery Services
Heather Saul Tusa Magalogo-Fitisemanu Grants& Programs Director of Manager Communications
‘WE’RE LIKE A FAMILY’: CAPE RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOL A SAFE HAVEN FOR TEENS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION
2022
On track for the largest graduating class since being established
2020
2021
Serves 14 students - an 180% increase from year prior
Celebrates first graduate
2019
Opens as South Jersey’s only recovery HS in partnership with Middle TWP. School District
Revenues
FUNDRAISING/DONATIONS 2%
PRIVATE INCOME 21.2%
FEDERAL GRANTS 25.3%
Revenue Increase 2021 SHOWS A 14.17% INCREASE IN REVENUE COMPARED TO 2020
Expenses
PRIVATE GRANTS 11.1%
PROGRAM SERVICES
MGMT & GENERAL
COUNTY GRANTS 2%
FUNDRAISING
STATE GRANTS 38.4%
89.9% 9.9% 0.2%
Quit Center INDIVIDUALS WHO UTILIZED SERVICES INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETED THE PROGRAM (IN 6 SESSIONS)
Students Served
15
Counseling Goals for Clients Compared to 2020 GOALS COMPLETED CLIENTS SERVED
60.9% INCREASE 57.1% INCREASE
Students Graduated
10
5
0
2018-2019
2019-2020
2020-2021
2021-2022
Youth Support Initiatives of Cape Assist
coalition activities coalition members adults reached (approx.) youth reached (approx.) organizations reached (approx.) schools that the coalition reached
coalition activities coalition members adults reached (approx.) youth reached (approx.) organizations reached (approx.) schools that the coalition reached
The Strengthening Families Programs (SPF) are evidence-based programs that are recognized nationally and internationally for encouraging family bonding. There’s even a Strengthening Families Program specifically geared for military families (MSFP) and the unique challenges they face. SFP and MSFP are multi-session programs for families who want to improve their family dynamics in several areas including communication, discipline strategies, limit setting, and more. Cape Assist offers incentives for families to participate, such as providing dinners for those who attend and gift cards for those who successfully complete the program.
32 families and 137 individuals participated in SFP in 2021. 58 families and 250 individuals participated in MSFP in 2021.
The Kids Art Resource and Education Center (K.A.R.E.) program is for children in K-1st grade and focuses on developing the personal and social skills necessary to make informed choices in life. 11 students from kindergarten through first grade participated in 2021.
2022 ENDLESS SUMMER BENEFIT
Contact us online@capeassist.org www.capeassist.org (609) 522-5960
Donate www.capeassist.org/donate