FY 22 Annual Report

FY 21-22 Annual Report

CLIENT SUCCESS STORY

Ms Cooper* was referred to Connections of Cumberland County by the Department of Social Services She and her three children were at risk of receiving an eviction notice due to owing several months of past due rent. Ms. Cooper shared that she fell behind when she left an abusive relationship for the sake of her children's well being. Without her abuser's income, she just could not make ends meet. Ms. Cooper worked alongside her case management intern (CMI) to collect required documentation to apply for financial assistance at Connections While her application was being processed, Ms Cooper attended the agency ' s budgeting workshop, brought her children in for books, and utilized our hygiene closet to save money towards her required financial portion of rent. Funds raised through Home Sweet Home were used to address Ms. Cooper's past due rent. To date, the family remains housed and Ms. Cooper is active in case management and additional programs as she looks for better employment and childcare resources for her youngest child, and participates in our credit building workshops

*Name changed to protect privacy of client and her children.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Once again, I have the esteemed pleasure of sharing our annual report with you. As I reflect on my time with Connections of Cumberland County throughout the years, I stand in awe of all the agency has become. As the agency ' s very first intern in 2015, I can remember when we were only able to offer case management two days a week Now we are open four days a week and offer four programs, wrap around services, and workshops. The successes shared in these pages are due in part to your unwavering support of and faith in our clients A simple 'thank you ' will never be

enough when I consider your generosity towards our agency and clients From snack and hygiene closet donations, volunteer coaching and mentorship, to grants and individual financial contributions, supporters, such as yourself, are vital in creating agency and clients' successes Your investment in our agency and our clients means so much to us all.

Sincerely, Crystal DePietro LCSW, CCM Executive Director

It is my honor to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the upcoming fiscal year. Connections of Cumberland County was organized, and continues today, with a focus on women and children experiencing homelessness or at the crossroads of being homeless. It is our goal and focus to provide the tools necessary to build self reliance We do so by giving a helping hand up, not just a handout.

The past couple of years have presented us with many challenges; however, because of selfless donors, volunteers,

GREETINGS, staff, community partners, and the Board of Directors we have been able to continue to provide essential services that lead to successes. As you review our annual report, I hope you are inspired by the data, quotes, and stories. Thank you for your continued investment in our clients and, by extension, the lives of their children

Sincerely, Vera Bell Board

Makeala, Spring 2022 intern, teaching a Budgeting Workshop.

Connections of Cumberland County hosts a variety of workshops for clients as additional supportive services

range from CPR and First Aid to Building Healthy Relationships and Communication Styles Our most offered workshop is our budgeting workshop, which is offered twice each week. Clients receiving financial support are required to attend budgeting workshops, but many clients find the workshops helpful and continue to attend. Additional workshops offered in partnership with Operation Hope include credit building, savings, and paying down debt

Connectto Internship

1919 BSW + MSW interns from 13 universities contributed over 7,000 hours in support of our clients, services, and programs.

"Connections of Cumberland County taught me critical skills, such as time management and the importance of utilizing community resources. I learned that case management is a team effort, and when it's successfully "coordinated, it can change an individual's life."

Aly Spring 2022 Intern

Connect to Enterprise

Connect to Enterprise (C2E) reopened this past year with the support of volunteers and financial assistance from Morgan Stanley Our For Goodness Sake, SHOP! attended several markets and unveiled its very own website for sales. All this paved the way for the return of clients to our program for job training skills. Stay tuned for client success stories from C2E and in the meantime, please shop with us! Visit: shopconnectionsofcc.org to support our C2E clients and snag some great fashionable pieces.

Art Under

Our annual art auction hosted in August 2021 helped raised $31,000 for agency operations and Day Resource Center programs and services.

Photos:

Event attendee placing her bid at our silent auction.

Leslie Dysinger and Michael Pennink leading our live auction portion of the evening Chad Aultman of Scene5 Artistry volunteered to host a live painting activity

Children assisted Chad in creating his masterpiece that was later auctioned off during the live auction portion of our event.

87 pieces of artwork were donated and available for either silent or live auction throughout the evening.

51 artists participated in our 2021 Art Under the Stars art auction. Artists were from around the state of North Carolina.

$31,000 was raised in support of our Day Resource Center programs and services.

Christmas Giving

Each holiday season, we host our Christmas Giving program, and each year our community ensures our clients and their children have something under their Christmas trees. Thanks to the generosity of so many, 76 children received gifts in 2021. Gifts ranged from bicycles and clothing to books and board games. To add to the cheer, our Board of Directors hosted a hot chocolate and Christmas cookie bar for clients and children during gift pick up.

Home Sweet Home

In June 2022, Connections of Cumberland County launched our newest campaign, Home Sweet Home, in response to the increased need for the financial support required to stabilize our clients and their families. Our agency works to supplement the current need by assisting a family* with a percent of their current bill based on family size. We take into consideration the number, ages, and needs of children in the home when determining level of assistance. With the cost of living continuing to rise in our community, on average it requires between $600 $750 per household to alleviate homelessness and stabilize a family

When financially assisted, clients are required to actively engage in the following activities:

case management for at least 1 year to work toward improving their situation on a long term basis, not just eliminating the immediate crisis participation in employability programs if income is insufficient or client is unemployed

*While funding will be prioritized to assist single women with children experiencing or at risk of homelessness, in extreme cases, funds may be used to assist women without children in critical need.

To learn more about Home Sweet Home, visit our website: connectionsofcc.org/home-sweet-home

CLIENT STORY

Liza* and her young son came to Connections to inquire about support Liza is expecting her second child and is worried she will not be able to maintain housing without a job or childcare. During her assessment, Liza and her case management intern (CMI) identified the following needs: housing, employment, childcare, budget management, and legal advice. The CMI initially referred Liza to Legal Aid of North Carolina, NCWorks with N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions, and Partnership for Children of Cumberland County.

Since starting case management, Liza has secured a job with a local retailer and continues to work with NCWorks to complete schooling through them. After tackling her employment goal, Liza began working on her housing goal Connections' case management team continues to offer support and empower Liza as she works toward self sufficiency and stability for her and her son.

*Name changed to respect the privacy of the mother and child

Looking ahead

We hope you'll save the date for the below events and activities happening at Connections over the next several months. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date: signup-usa.keela.co/join-our-e-newsletter

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness

Several businesses will be participating in our 2nd annual Hunger and Homelessness Awareness during the month of November

Check out our awareness page for details on how to get involved: connectionsofcc.org/hunger-homelessnessawareness-week

YEAR END

CHALLENGE MATCH

Beginning December 1, we will host our annual Year End Challenge Match where funds raised through December 31 have the opportunity to be matched $1 per $1 up to $20,000 This means your gift can have double the impact in our clients' lives

Giving Tuesday

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 29 Our agency will be participating in Cumberland Community Foundation's Giving Tuesday Campaign This is a wonderful opportunity to have your gift amplified for a greater impact in our community Matching funds will be announced soon!

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and make a reality for single women and their children. Visit: connectionsofcc.org/homesweet home

Connections of Cumberland County collaborates with community resources to empower women experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to develop self sufficiency and enhance their children’s future.

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