Helping our Neighbors Thrive Helping our Neighbors Thrive
IMPACT REPORT 2023
Our Mission
At Dorcas Ministries, we help our neighbors thrive by providing financial and food assistance, training and coaching, client advocacy, a platform for people to make a difference, and a best-in-class thrift shop for our community.
COMPASSION
Our Values DIGNITY INNOVATION STEWARDSHIP
Leadership
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andy Ferrell
Barbara Bostian
Bryan Huffman
Anne Shambley
Bob Bradley
Carol Himes
David Coulter
Don Hamilton
Gordon Sinclair
Jimi Clemons
Lynette Yawn
Robyn Powell
Sasha Gomez
Scott Schneider
Tamara Bowles
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
André Anthony | Chief Executive Officer
Alger Faber | Chief Finance & People Officer
Mark Helwig | Vice President of Operations
Jill Straight | Vice President of Community Services & Advocacy
Shelley Hobbs | Senior Director of Marketing & Communication
Leigh Ann Miller | Senior Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships
Erica Brower | Executive Assistant to the CEO
Leadership Message
Dorcas Community,
As we reflect on this last year, we want to take a moment and thank each of you - volunteers, donors, staff, community partners, and board members - for your continued faithfulness and dedication to Dorcas. We could not serve our neighbors well without your support.
Last year, we provided more services to more individuals and families than ever. This was only possible through our record-breaking Thrift Shop revenue, generous donors and community supporters, and volunteers who continue to show up everyday and make the magic happen at Dorcas. By the end of 2023, many volunteers who served before the pandemic returned along with many new faces, and we reached the number of volunteers who served before COVID-19.
Dorcas continues to be a leading nonprofit in the Triangle area and beyond, and the Dorcas Thrift Shop is one of North Carolina’s most popular thrifting destinations. In 2023, we received Maggy Awards (fan-voted) for the sixth consecutive year for Best Nonprofit and Best Resale Clothing Store and a Cary Diamond Award for Best Resale and Consignment Store.
As we move through 2024, we do so with excitement and great expectation for what’s to come as we continue to support our neighbors and help them thrive!
Best regards,
André Anthony Andy Ferrell Chief Executive Officer Board Chair
Community Impact 2023 Snapshot
6k neighbors impacted
2.2k families served
29k services provided $2.7M+ assistance provided
| $1,364,804
| $1,130,297
| $49,218
| $41,519 Childcare | $34,316 Healthcare | $10,227
Other | $10,864
TOTAL: $2,731,230
Susan and her 3 children were suddenly forced to vacate their apartment due to a mold infestation. With no other immediate options, Susan moved into a nearby hotel. She could not afford to pay both the hotel rent and save the necessary money to move into another apartment. To make matters worse, as a preschool teacher, Susan would only receive one more paycheck before her summer break started.
Susan came to Dorcas seeking help during this crisis situation. She was enrolled in our Emergency Housing Program where we paid her hotel rent while she saved and made arrangements for permanent housing. Without this support, she was looking at the grim reality of living in her car with her kids. After a couple of months, Susan had saved enough to pay a security deposit. Dorcas assisted with her first month’s rent, and she and her 3 children were able to successfully move into an apartment.
Retail Operations
$3.97M+ total revenue 250 cars drop off per day
1.4M+ items sold
Volunteerism
780(as of 12/31) active volunteers
$1.6M+ value of volunteer time
88,563 total volunteer hours
$708,365 financial gifts $53,000 grants
Year In Review
January
• Received the Cary Living Diamond Award for Best Resale and Consignment Clothing
• Dorcas Pantry launched “Taco Tuesday” meal kits monthly
• Dorcas Thrift Shop grossed over $300k for the first time ever in one month
February
• Dorcas Bookkeeping Certification Cohort with Wake Tech launched with eight participants enrolled
• Formalized Advocacy key issues: Transit, Housing, Voter Education, Living Wage, Pet Advocacy, Food Insecurity
• Launched Volunteer of the Month
March
• Honored by 100 Women Who Give a Hoot as Q1 Recipient - $12k+
• Hosted Community Pet Day in partnership with Wake County Animal services (hundreds of cats and dogs received shots and check-ups) as part of our Pet Advocacy
April
• Won 3 Maggy Awards (Best Nonprofit, Best Resale Clothing, Social Media Honorable Mention)
• The Dorcas Pantry formed new partnerships with the Downtown Cary Farmers Market and Black Farmers Market to receive fresh produce
May
• Dress for Success Triangle Boutique provided outfits for Dorcas Bookkeeping Cohort participants for upcoming interviews and new jobs
• Dorcas Community Services received the highest number of applications to date in a single month (363)
June
• We hosted the Dorcas 55th Anniversary Sale Event with food trucks and over 250 customers in line when the doors opened
• Dorcas Pantry had a recordbreaking month, providing over $100k in food in one month for the first time ever
July
• Christmas in July food drive was a huge hit with local churches & community partners hosting drives and donating over $27,000 in food during the month
August
• Dorcas Thrift Shop had a recordbreaking sales month - $362,618 in ONE month!
• Dorcas Branding and Style Guide was published
September
• Dorcas Volunteer Orientation and Onboarding Program launched
October
• Launched new website: DorcasNC.org
• Largest ever Annual Dorcas Picnic with over 200 staff & volunteers plus their families in attendance
November
Dorcas Thanksgiving Breakfast was back in person for the first time since 2019 with a record number of sponsorships
• Annual Turkey Palooza distributed over 100 Thanksgiving meal kits to clients, including a turkey, a bag of side dishes, and a large pie
December
• Participated in Downtown Cary’s Gifting Tree Project and the Cary Christmas Parade
• Annual Christmas Extravaganza provided Christmas meal kits for clients, including a turkey, a bag of side dishes, and a large pie Dorcas Shop Online launched
• Season of Giving ended raising over $295,000
• Dorcas Biotech Cohort graduation – four students passed the final and received their certification
Strategy Roadmap 2024-2026
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1
Grow Unrestricted Revenue
BIG QUESTION:
How can we innovatively diversify our revenue streams while staying true to our mission and maximizing the impact of our existing resources?
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2
Serve Deeper
BIG QUESTION:
How can we deepen our impact within our current service area, enhancing both efficiency and reach?
STRATEGIC
PRIORITY 3 Prepare to Expand
BIG QUESTION:
What strategic steps and frameworks need to be in place for us to effectively extend our services beyond our current service area, while maintaining quality and mission alignment?
STRATEGIC PRIORITY
4
Increase Brand Awareness
BIG QUESTION:
How can we significantly amplify our brand presence and effectively communicate the value and impact of our services and retail operations to a wider audience?
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 5
Be an Employer of Choice
BIG QUESTION:
How can we transform our organization into an ‘Employer of Choice’ by enhancing employee satisfaction and efficiency through improved compensation, benefits, technological advancements and streamlined processes?
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 6
OptimizeEngagementVolunteer & Expertise
BIG QUESTION:
How can we revolutionize our volunteerism program to effectively onboard, strategically recruit, and fully utilize the expertise of our volunteers for maximum impact?
