Annual Report
2018
PREPARED BY CROSSPURPOSE A summary of our program and community impact.
A Word from the Fo
Dear Friends & Partners,
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2018 was far and away the most catalytic year for our organization to date. At the start of the year, we were able to reflect back on six years of work in the community, in which we walked alongside over 400 individuals and families on their journey out of poverty. While we celebrated the victories represented by each one of our graduates, we knew that we had several problems to work out if we were going to sustain a quality, replicable program. The obstacles were many: our
program was too expensive and too long, too many Leaders were dropping out, our funding was limiting. While many people seemed to love the work we were doing, we knew that we needed to make a dedicated effort to move from being an average program doing good things to a great program delivering transformative results. During the first few months of the year, we spent countless hours analyzing program data, consulting
2018
ounders with experts, and brainstorming with our staff to identify and implement our best opportunities for growth.
By the time our first class began in April, we had made three significant changes. First, we shortened our program from a 12-month model to six months. The personal development portion of our program was streamlined from eight weeks to six, career coaching began upon acceptance into the program, and the community development portion of our program - weekly Family Gatherings - was introduced in the second week of class, rather than the second month. Secondly, we began to partner with an online career education provider. Not only did this better serve the interests of a shorter program, but this partnership also allowed us to offer a broader range of career paths to our participants, provide greater accountability during the job skills phase of the program, and lower our cost per participant. Finally, we started an alumni element to our programming for graduates who needed additional support, as well as for those who were ready to give back to the neighborhood. The results of these changes were dramatic. 167 Leaders began the program in 2018, the most in our program history. Graduation outcomes doubled from roughly 8-15 graduates per class in 2017 to more than 25 graduates per class under the new model. In our previous six program years, we cumulatively graduated 91 Leaders, but in 2018 alone, 87 of our neighbors successfully graduated, averaging $15.65/hour. Those who took
advantage of on-site career education via online providers were found to be 28% more likely to graduate than those who went off-site. Furthermore, the addition of the alumni association gave us insight into our long-term retention results. We were able to get in touch with roughly 81% of our 166 alumni; 94% remain employed at the same or better employment levels. Our alumni who graduated three or more years ago reported an average wage of $18.91/hr.
While improving our program, more changes were simultaneously happening behind the scenes. Program and staffing changes helped us to reduce our costs per participant by 36%. We were given a lease on a 16,000 square foot building for $1/year in the spring of 2018, and began a $2,750,000 construction project and capital campaign shortly thereafter. We have already seen the impact of a welcoming, accessible, and inspiring space in furthering our mission to abolish relational, economic, and spiritual poverty through career and community development.
“The bigger the change we hope for, the longer we must be willing to invest, work for, and wait for it.” ― Andy Crouch, Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling
As we reflect on both the triumphs and challenges of 2018, we couldn’t be more grateful for those with whom we share this journey. Whether you served as a volunteer, provided critical support services to our Leaders, hired one of our graduates, or gave generously to the organization, thank you for making 2018 our best year yet!
Humbly, Jason & Juan, CrossPurpose Executive Team
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Leader Story One day in late 2017, the CrossPurpose Recruitment Team was visiting a local correctional facility. They shared about the program with inmates who were soon to be released, encouraging them to apply. On their visit, they met Paul Myles, a twenty-something young man who soon to be was up for parole. He told them he had been in and out of facilities since he was twelve years old. Growing up in the neighborhood, he’d gotten involved with gangs, and due to his record had had a difficult time retaining a job. So, when the first class of 2018 began accepting applications, Paul, recently released and living in a halfway house, decided to apply. He said he wanted to become a Leader because, “I felt such a genuine sense of care from staff even before I joined the program.” Not only did he say he needed a change for his life, but that he truly wanted one.
and Jen around the room giving them bear hugs and smearing each of them with whipped cream. Paul graduated the program with a successful career in construction, and is enhancing his skills today by working towards a personal training certification. What really meant the most to him about CrossPurpose wasn’t the job though, it was, “the relationships and friendships I developed...without this program, I never would have met people who view the world differently than me. I saw true strength not just in others but also in myself that otherwise I would have never known.”
During the program, Paul learned the construction trade through the Master’s Apprentice Program. But, what most people remember about the winter class of 2018 happened one night at Family Gathering. After dinner, Leaders, Allies and Staff played a game before small groups began. On this particular night, Paul, a seemingly intimidating ex-gang member, got a pie in the face, and chased Jason Left to Right: Jen Janz, Program Director, Paul Myles, CrossPurpose Graduate, Jason Janz, Chief Executive Officer
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“I feel like I’m a very different person today than I would have been if I didn’t do CrossPurpose. I don’t want to even imagine who I would be apart from this family I’ve benefited so much.” - Stephanie CrossPurpose Ally 2018
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Ally Story During a routine visit to her local coffee shop, Stephanie met a CrossPurpose staff member in 2015 and was introduced to the organization’s community development work. A recent Denver “transplant”, Stephanie was hungry for opportunities to serve the city and signed up to volunteer as an Ally. At the time, the volunteer commitment was two years, but Stephanie didn’t miss a beat, and was soon matched with two Leaders in the program. Though she came ready to help address scarcity in Denver, she quickly discovered the abundance her Leaders had to offer. “I’m Puerto-Rican and I came from the East Coast and there was a lot more diversity there. Coming here, I realized I had a cultural & racial diversity poverty and it was really sweet to be with other Latinas...they felt like sisters in a way; we felt like we were at home with each other”. Stephanie also benefited from her Leaders’ experiences as lifelong Denver residents. “I was still pretty new to Denver at the time, so learning more about the city through the eyes of its natives gave me a deeper understanding of the history of Denver and the neighborhood I lived in. That really grew my love for things like racial reconciliation and cultural competency. I learned what it looks like to live here and not just consume the city, but live in relationship with people. I think it really transformed my view of how I live day to day, and what’s important in my life.” After her Leaders graduated, Stephanie found herself missing weekly Family Gatherings
and the community built with Leaders, so she became an Ally for a second time and continued to learn in a new, cross-cultural relationship. In 2018, the community development portion of the CrossPurpose program was reimagined as small groups of 8-10 Leaders and Allies, versus the former Leader-Ally pairing. Stephanie volunteered for a third time under this new model and loved watching the group build social capital together. Now beginning her fourth cycle as an Ally (a CrossPurpose record), Stephanie says she can’t imagine spending her Wednesday nights anywhere but at CrossPurpose. “There’s not a better way to spend your time,” she says, “I’ve developed deep friendships from this. I’m not coming in and contributing this wealth of knowledge and information. I show up, try to be humble and listen, and make friends. I feel like I’m a very different person today than I would have been if I didn’t do CrossPurpose. I don’t want to even imagine who I would be apart from this family - I’ve benefited so much.” Stephanie’s continued investment in the CrossPurpose program is rooted in her desire not only to challenge the culture of consumption she sees, but also to participate in a new kind of community, what we at CrossPurpose call reweaving the fabric of a frayed society. For Stephanie, there’s no question to the value of the Ally experience, “All races, all forms of wealth and poverty all in one room - where do you get that anywhere else in the city? Where people are friends and they care about each other - how could that not be a part of your dreams?”
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The Numbers at a Glance We’re proud to share an overview of our program impact this year. In 2018, we graduated more Leaders than ever before, resulting in one of the highest SROI results in our industry.
100%
of Leaders showed statistically remarkable growth in one or more job readiness targets.
87
167
CERTIFICATION SCHOLARSHIPS
PROGRAM GRADUATES
LEADERS SERVED
88 Leaders upskilled their credentials through a postsecondary certification.
A total of 88 Leaders completed the program, with wages averaging over $15/hr.
We served 167 participants who grew in their personal & professional development.
76
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Increase in Leaders reporting 7 or more close relationships from the start of the program to graduation.
1 on 1 Coaching Hours
1,231 Ally Volunteer Hours
14,080
28%
In 2018, we projected that for every $1 invested, there would be an $8.79 return back into society in ten years. The return includes wages earned, taxes paid, and a decrease in government benefits.
359%
Overall Wage Increase
$2.5M
Wealth Created in One Year
$8.79
Total Expected Social Return on Investment
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A Look at Financials
FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE 16% Administration
13% Fundraising 71% Program
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Net Assets
In-kind Donations - 3%
$133,783
$2,680,489
Individuals - 8%
Breakdown of Revenue
$334,614
Churches - 13%
$578,011
Total
$4,321,774
Businesses - 7%
$292,529
We are so grateful for the generosity of our CrossPurpose family. Thanks to you, more families can receive loving care and support on their journey out of poverty. With your partnership, we aim to grow the organization, and continue to fight poverty in our city for years to come.
Foundations - 69%
$2,953,460 Professional & Other Fees - 4%
$128,969
Breakdown of Expenses At CrossPurpose, we are committed to financial stability and integrity. We believe in recruiting and retaining a talented team to love our neighbors for the long haul. And we believe that CrossPurpose is growing into a best-inclass workforce development nonprofit that will help Leaders and their families leave poverty for good.
Occupancy - 4%
Technology - 3% $85,076
Fundraising Personnel - 10% $300,624
$136,953
Administrative Personnel - 9% $293,615
In-kind Donations - 6% $181,678
Marketing - 2% $76,660
Total
$ 3,161,790
Programs - 19% $587,064
Other - 3%
$106,957
Program Personnel - 40% $1,264,194
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Thank you for being a part of our family.
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