2014 Annual Report
CHMO
CONNEXTION
Empowering Youth to Design Their Own Path — from Homelessness to Opportunity CONTACT US @
In this issue: Executive Sleep Out
Stan Musial Hall of Fame Gala
Transitional Living Program
Life Skills classes
Meet
OUR YOUTH
OUR IMPACT IN 2014 Each day Covenant House Missouri works to empower youth who are homeless and disconnected to design their own path from homelessness to opportunity. As we take a moment to reflect on FY 2014, we note the impact our programs, services and staff have had on the lives of youth across our community.
From Crisis to Safety The Crisis Program provides youth with safe, temporary shelter coupled with intensive support services to help them regain stabilization – the 1st critical step toward achieving self-sufficiency. - CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Covenant House Missouri
HELPED
317
HOMELESS
YOUTH
through the Crisis Program
45%
of these youth are from ST. LOUIS COUNTY
66% safe and stable of these youth were discharged to
HOUSING
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, For more than fifteen years, Covenant House Missouri (CHMO) has been a place of hope and direction for teens who are homeless and disconnected. Over the last year, CHMO has worked to solidify and define our next era of service to this often overlooked group of young people. In 2014, we completed our third year of a four-year partnership with the Deaconess Foundation. Through their investment in us as an Impact Partner, CHMO had the opportunity to make intentional investments in specific capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening the core of the organization. As a result of this work, we outlined a plan to bolster our Board of Directors by formalizing recruitment and nominating structures as well as being proactive in identifying gaps in diversity in terms of skills and talents in addition to gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. We also invested in the leadership of the organization by providing specific and intentional training opportunities for directors and managers to grow their skills and competencies in a way that fosters a feedback-rich culture. The team continues to meet monthly to discuss how to consistently incorporate best practices in our daily work. With the help of our Board of Directors, volunteers, staff and the youth we serve, Covenant House Missouri developed a three-year strategic plan to take us through FY 2018. The platform of the plan is a commitment to the mental health of the youth we serve. More than 50% of youth who enter our doors are impacted by a mental health issue – and we expect that number to continue to rise. Through expanded services, staff re-alignment and a shift to a clinical model of Trauma Informed Care, we will be more equipped to meet our youth where they are and support them more effectively as they design their own path to independence and opportunity. The plan layers in an integration of our education and employment services and expanding our residential services to include an Independent Living Program which allows older youth to live in the community with continued support from us. Through an education model that includes employment and mental health components, the youth we serve will have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and create a path to a long-term career. Because of friends like you, CHMO opened our doors to 5,855 youth in FY 2014 and maintained the highest rankings with the Better Business Bureau achieving 20/20 and ranked among the top 4% of charities across the nation with a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator for our 5th consecutive year. You are making a difference! Because of friends like you, the youth we serve are able to finally believe‌
They They They They
are not alone. are not invisible. do have value. do have a purpose.
Thank you for making a difference.
Board of Directors Paul Kindl, Chair President, Kindl & Associates Dave Ryan, Vice Chair Area Sales Manager, Audi of America Marty Neville Hereford, Secretary Partner, Armstrong Teasdale LLP Diane Compardo, Treasurer Principal, Moneta Group Rodney Gee Retired, Edward Jones Jim Klimt Vice President of Sales, Duke Manufacturing Jon Nienas Retired, US Strategic Accounts Lead, Monsanto Kathy Peterson National Marketing Director, Monsanto Colleen Raley Partner, Marketing, Edward Jones Vincent Sechrest Vice President of Network Services, SSE Dave Smith Retired, VirTrus Dan Woods Retired, Mallinckrodt
Senior Management Suzanne Wagener Executive Director Tammie Belk Sr. Director, Programs
Respectfully,
Lori Brandt Director, Support Services
Suzanne Wagener Executive Director
Kelly Hieronymus Director, Finance
2 COVENANT HOUSE MISSOURI - 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
Kristine Ramsey Director, Advancement
OUR IMPACT IN 2014 - CONTINUED Employment Services — are designed to prepare youth for the world of work and include an initial assessment, job readiness classes, expansive internship opportunities, career counseling and job placement.
Transitioning to Independence CHMO’s Transitional Living Program provides a stable and supportive living environment for youth while they work to develop the skills and tools needed to achieve adult independence.
THIS PAST YEAR,
85 YOUTH
47 YOUTH
OBTAINED
were served through the Transitional Living Program
94% of these youth
were successfully discharged to safe and appropriate living arrangements.
68%
established savings accounts
prior to discharge. Reaching Out Our Outreach Team works to help youth in crisis by patrolling identified streets and neighborhoods offering emergency assistance. In FY 2014,
1,433 who were on the street and at-risk were provided services. Our goal, however, is to prevent youth from becoming homeless
3,865 attending high-risk high schools or detention centers participated in our Runaway Prevention presentations.
Wrap-Around Support CHMO provides a comprehensive array of Support Services to youth living at CHMO as well as those from the community. In addition to individual and family counseling, medical services, and weekday developmental drop-in programs, we offer programs that allow youth to design their own path from homelessness to independence. HSE and Educational Services — includes adult basic education, tutoring, literacy education and HiSet (formerly GED) preparation, testing and certification. Upon enrollment, youth complete an initial assessment to determine their needs and develop a customized learning plan.
EMPLOYMENT
AFTER RECEIVING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
Life Skills Classes – daily classes are offered on a variety of topics including: assertiveness training, budgeting and banking, cleaning, healthcare and hygiene, home maintenance and repair, money management and personal safety.
HSE
51 LIFE SKILLS
services were provided to
89% OF YOUTH
CLASSES were taught to youth
classes and tutorial
post-test results show that
178 youth
INCREASED
40
YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR GRADE LEVEL
THEIR KNOWLEDGE on subjects such as budgeting, cooking and interviewing skills.
4 YOUTH EARNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY.* *Given the enormous challenge of obtaining a HSE for our youth who test on average at a 5th grade reading, writing and math level, CHMO measures progress by increasing grade level(s).
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: EXECUTIVE SLEEP OUT On February 26, 2015, 20 St. Louis executives and community leaders came together to shine a light on the plight of youth who are homeless and disconnected. Lead by Chairs, Jay and Marnie Williamson, and Honorary Chairs, Curtis and Amy Francois, the group raised more than $213,000 to support Covenant House Missouri. Thank you!
$213,000 RAISED STAN MUSIAL HALL OF FAME GALA Stan and Lillian Musial were passionate about the plight of homeless teens. For more than two decades, the Musials dedicated their time and resources to help give these youth a voice in our community. On January 24, 2015, more than 230 community members joined together for the 7th Annual Stan Musial Hall of Fame Gala raising a record $260,000 (net) to support the work of Covenant House Missouri. The event was chaired by Diane Compardo and Ron Wienstroer, The Compardo Team at Moneta Group. A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Covenant House Missouri Alum, Kane Peters. Kane spoke about his life before Covenant House, how his time at Covenant House profoundly impacted his outlook on life and sent him down a positive path that he designed. Today, Kane is a Navy corpsman stationed in Chicago. In his words,
“IF IT WEREN’T FOR COVENANT HOUSE, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT I WOULD BE ONE OF THE FOLKS YOU SEE ON THE STREET ASKING FOR SPARE CHANGE.” 4 COVENANT HOUSE MISSOURI - 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
“THE COVENANT HOUSE EXECUTIVE SLEEP OUT WAS LIFE CHANGING FOR SO MANY OF US. COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO STAND UP FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO VOICE AND WHO ARE TOO OFTEN INVISIBLE TO EVEN THEIR OWN FAMILIES.” — Curtis Francois
$260,000 RAISED
MEET OUR YOUTH — JONATHAN
key [ke]
NOUN: A small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, and that is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it.
ADJECTIVE: Of paramount or crucial importance.
VERB: Be the crucial factor in achieving. Have you ever really given much thought to the word “key”? We all know what a key is and we have several: for our cars, our office, our home, etc.
From being addicted to ...
NOW CELEBRATING 12 MONTHS OF BEING CLEAN From being a “drop-out” to ...
We know what the word means depending on how it’s used. However, have you ever really considered what it could represent?
EARNING HIS GED
Jonathan has been living at Covenant House Missouri for two years. Just the other day, he was walking around with an enormous smile on his face. In his hand was the source of his happiness ... a KEY … to his very own apartment!
UNDERSTANDING HE HAS VALUE AND A PURPOSE
For Jonathan, the key represented his journey. A long and hard journey that challenged him to change the “tapes in his head” fueled by the stereotypes those around him held about who he was and what he was – and was not – capable of achieving. His journey …
A YOUNG MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING BOUNDARIES AND HOLDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
From hearing voices to ...
And, from being homeless to ...
BEING AN INDEPENDENT YOUNG MAN WITH A KEY TO THE PLACE HE WILL NOW CALL HOME! Your support was key to ensuring Jonathan’s success … thank you!
From being told he was worthless and a “throw-away” to ...
From being a kid who was easily taken advantage of by “family and friends” to ...
MENTAL STABILITY
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HOW YOU CAN HELP?
IN FY 2014, OUR VOLUNTEERS
Your support empowers young people served by Covenant House Missouri to design their own path from homelessness to opportunity and independence. Learn more at www.covenanthousemo.org.
TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH WE SERVE!
Join Us
Follow our Blog. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. Volunteer Donating your time to tutor, conduct mock interviews, teach a class, be a part of our special events, or help out around the office – your time can have a huge impact!
Donate No matter the amount, your investment goes a long way…
DONATED 1,206 HOURS FUNDING GROWTH! 2014 Audited Financial Data
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS
$1,101,712
$58,776
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
SPECIAL EVENT REVENUE (NET)
$888,854
$358,854
COVENANT HOUSE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
INVESTMENT & OTHER INCOME
$841,000
$100
GIVES A YOUNG PERSON WHO IS HOMELESS A WARM AND SAFE BED FOR A NIGHT
$250
ALLOWS A YOUTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN STRUCTURED DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES INSTEAD OF HANGING OUT ON THE STREET CORNER
$1,000
SUPPORTS 10 YOUTH TO ENHANCE THEIR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS BY PARTICIPATING IN OUR 7-DAY EMPLOYMENT SKILLS CLASS
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$40,265 $3,289,461 TOTAL
$25
PROVIDES SEVERAL MEALS TO YOUTH IN CRISIS CARE
CONTRIBUTED SERVICES & MERCHANDISE
EXPENSES FUNDRAISING
$83,624 MANAGEMENT & GENERAL
$229,129 PROGRAM SERVICES
$2,875,461 $3,188,214 TOTAL
NET ASSETS = $2,997,872
MISSION
To serve suffering children of the street, and protect and safeguard all children … with absolute respect and unconditional love.
VISION
To lead change that challenges homeless youth to pursue a life of opportunity.
PRINCIPLES Immediacy Young people come to us in crisis and we provide for their basic human needs – food, clothing, a shower and medical attention – immediately.
Sanctuary We provide safety to protect our youth from violence and degradation.
Communicating Values We show our young people that caring relationships are based on trust, respect and honesty.
Structure We provide structure and reasonable expectations so our youth can focus on their futures.
Choice We help our youth make positive choices and encourage them to believe in themselves. Covenant House Missouri has more than 16 years of experience in providing quality services to youth who are homeless and disconnected. Learn more about our services at www.covenanthousemo.org.
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CONTACT US @ 8 COVENANT HOUSE MISSOURI - 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
Covenant House International Covenant House Missouri is part of a network of 21 sites spanning from Alaska to Central America that served more than 61,000 homeless and at-risk youth last year. Covenant House is the largest privately funded child-care agency in the Americas.
Covenant House Missouri 2727 North Kingshighway Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63113 314.533.2241 www.covenanthousemo.org