2023 Fiscal Year Oct 1, 2022 - Sep 30, 2023
Dear Friends of FIRC,
A letter from Brianne Executive Director
I am pleased to present to you our annual report for the 2023 fiscal year. It is with great pride that I reflect on the progress and achievements made by FIRC throughout the past year.
Despite the challenges presented by increased demand for services and decreased funding opportunities, I am pleased to report that our organization has maintained a strong financial position FIRC’s commitment to financial stewardship has allowed us to effectively manage expenses and maximize our resources
At the heart of our mission is the commitment to supporting Summit County’s local workforce and families I am happy to report that our programs and initiatives have made a significant impact on the lives of more than 12,000 community members Through FIRC’s four core program areas: Community Health, Food Access, Peer Support, and Financial Empowerment, FIRC assisted community members with applications for health insurance, provided fresh produce to each Food Market shopper, distributed housing scholarships, and connected parents and newcomers through peer support groups to build a stronger community. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, as well as the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders.
FIRC has finalized and adopted a new strategic plan aimed at addressing our community’s biggest challenges around food and housing insecurity. These efforts include external efforts such as improved programming and strengthening community collaborations as well as internal goals such as enhanced technology and positive workplace culture which will position us for long-term sustainability and growth Additionally, I am filled with optimism and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead as we complete the construction of the Sol Center in 2025
I would like to express my gratitude to each staff member, volunteer, Board Member, supporter, and community partner who helped FIRC this past year Your hard work, dedication, and passion are the driving forces behind our success Thank you for your continued support and trust. Together, we will continue to make a meaningful difference in Summit County.
Sincerely
Board of Directors
Thank you to FIRC’s 2023FY Board of Directors. Their unwavering support, dedication, and expertise has been instrumental to FIRC’s success. Not pictured: Laura Shriner.
Barbara Gibbs, Vice President
Michael Dudick, Treasurer
Kendra Carpe pper
Josh Blanchard
Howard Carver
Nick Doran, Member at Large
Scott Binder, President
Esteban Ortega
Pete Joyce
When basic needs are met, people can focus on being a parent, employee, and community member.
Canprovideupto$200worthoffreshproduceandgroceriesfora
MISSION
ACTION
DEMOGRAPHICS
Primary Language
Area of Residence
Race/Ethnicity
FOOD ACCESS
Food Market Visits:
26,378
Total Value of Food Distributed: $ 5,275,600
FIRC’s Community Food Markets provide options for fresh, healthy, and nutritious food; while also helping families stretch their budgets, save, and connect to additional community resources. The Food Markets provide access to no-cost groceries, household and hygiene items. We encourage all residents to visit once a week to receive up to $200 worth of groceries. To ensure the food system is grounded in equity and responsive to community need the FIRC Food Equity Coalition was created. The coalition has 12 individuals that drive community policy, and improve accessibility and choice for those utilizing the Food Markets. The Food Equity Coalition serves as our advisory board and leads change in our Food Markets.
FOOD MARKET STAFF
Food Market Manager
Food Market Supervisor
Food Market Associates
Nancy Higuera
Roberto Cortes
Alicia Mendoza
Sayra Alfaro
Mariela Pulido Wilson Calvijo
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
TOTAL APPOINTMENTS: 391
TOTAL INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED: 702
TOTAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE: $255,190
The purpose of the Financial Empowerment program is to assist households on their financial journey, set goals, and establish connections to community resources. Financial Empowerment covers rental assistance, financial wholeness planning, and utility assistance. This past year the FE launched two scholarship opportunities for the community, the Community Rental Assistance Program (CERA) and the Housing Justice Scholarship (HJS).
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT STAFF
Andrea North
Financial Empowerment Manager
Financial Empowerment Case Worker
Marily Garcia
Financial Empowerment Case Worker
Lucero Almeida
PEER SUPPORT
TOTAL VISITS: 2566
OTAL GROUP SESSIONS:
400+ Parenting tips sent out through text
Peer support services help individuals build social networks and empower them make positive changes in their lives.
Parents gain resources, increase knowledge of child development, develop positive parenting skills, meet other parents in this community, and strengthen their support network through visitations with our Parent Educators.
Other Peer Support Programs include Amigas Latinas Motivando el Alma (ALMA) and ACCION.
PEER SUPORT STAFF
Patty Garcia
Peer Community Supervisor
Cecilia Martinez
Peer Community Coordinator
Alma Almeida
Parent Educator
Martha Leyva
Parent Educator
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Community Health Navigators assist households with health insurance enrollment for the marketplace (Connect for Health Colorado), CHP+, Medicaid, and food assistance programs like SNAP, WIC & Free Reduced Meal Program (FRMP), education on how to use your insurance coverage, and assistance with health insurance issues. TOTAL APPOINTMENTS:
COMMUNITY HEALTH STAFF
Community Health Manager
Community Health Navigator
Staff Not Photographed
Jamie Alvarez
Community Health Navigator
Erick Hernandez
Community Health Navigator
Jackie Rodriguez
Hannah Gall
MENTAL HEALTH NAVIGATION
FIRC helps break down barriers and guide community members to the care they need, whether it is mental health support or a peer support program. Mental Health Navigators offer simple navigation and referrals to get locals connected to resources. This program was sunset in August of 2023 and was transitioned to Building Hope.
VOLUNTEERS
TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS: 3,757 TOTAL VOLUNTEERS: 348
VOLUNTEER STORY
In 2008 when the local economy took a turn for the worst, two local women, Kay Bullington and Becky Morgan combined their sewing talents and creativity to start making and selling reusable shopping bags made from donated fabric in the hopes of raising $400 to donate to the FIRC Food Bank.
The bag project, known as the “FIRC Bag Ladies”, has grown and is now lead by Shona David Osborne and over 40 dedicated volunteers As of June 2023, the FIRC Bag Ladies raised more than $250,000! The volunteers donate their time to sew many different products from shopping bags, travel purses, tuxedo wine bags, jewelry bags, yoga mat bags, cosmetic bags and many more. The average price per bag is between $5 and $20
To purchase your very own hand-sewn bag, visit the FIRC Bag Ladies throughout the summer at the Dillon Farmers Market.
CLIENT STORIES
COMMUNITY VALUE
We elevate one another by amplifying all voices, building resiliency, and strengthening relationships to achieve collective goals and a sustainable future.
- Summit County Neighbor of 2 Years
- Vecino del condado de Summit desde hace 3 años
- Summit County Neighbor of 10+ Years
Individual & Corporations: $3,765,186
Grants: $2,443,368
Capital Gains: $1,743,108
In-Kind: $1,151,116
Events: $211,375
Thrift Store: $131,288
Other: $111,100
*OF THE $9.5M TOTAL REVENUE:
A total of $3 9M was restricted for capital specifically the Sol Center that will be expended in 2024FY and 2025FY The $3 9M was made up of $1.7M earned on the sale of 2 FIRC owned properties and $2.2M in restricted Sol Center Donations/Pledges
2023FY Expenses*
$5,661,765
Direct Services & Programming: $4,282,419
Operational Support: $1,298,616
Fundraising: $363,510
*Note: Direct Services & Programing includes FIRC’s 4 core program areas: Food Access, Community Health, Financial Empowerment & Peer Support program as well as costs for operating FIRC’s Mental Health Navigation program through August 2023
