GROWING THE FUTURE Annual Report
ANNUAL REPORT Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc.
20 21
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents 3
MISSION + VISION
4
A LETTER FROM OUR CEO
5
OUR CORE SERVICES
6
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
8
HEALTH + NUTRITION
13
ENERGY
17
CHILDREN
23
HOMELESSNESS
25
VETERAN SUPPORT
29
VOLUNTEER REPORT
33
FINANCIALS
OUR MISSION
Helping people develop skills to become successful and build strong communities OUR VISION
A thriving community where all people have the opportunities for success
3.
The last twelve months have been a period of tremendous growth at HACAP. We expanded our service area by adding three northern counties, previously served by Operation New View Community Action Agency – Dubuque, Delaware, and Jackson. In addition to the community action programs, we also were awarded funding to provide Head Start services in that three county area. As the COVID-19 Pandemic continued to affect our lives, more families were being impacted financially and the demand for our services increased. Not only did we see returning families come back for assistance, but families who had never before reached out for assistance were coming to us to get help. Last year we served 16,400 households, more than the previous year. I am proud to say that we rose to the occasion, identified needs in the community, mobilized our resources and delivered new programs to meet the needs of fragile families. Our team members and volunteers work so diligently to provide impactful services to our clients, delivering them with dignity and respect. You are a very resilient force and are what makes HACAP the wonderful organization that it is.
A NOTE FROM OUR CEO
Greetings,
Thank you to each and every one of you - you are champions! I look forward to the future and the great opportunities we can offer to the families and communities we serve!
Thank you,
Jane Drapeaux
Chief Executive Officer
4.
OUR CORE SERVICES HACAP focuses on five initiatives which provide solutions to locally identified issues and are comprised of over thirty different programs focused on individual self-sustainability.
1. 2. 3.
HEALTH + NURTITION
4. 5.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
CHILDREN
5.
HOMELESSNESS
VETERAN SUPPORT
In 2021 16,412 families were served. This is a 5% increase when compared to 2020.
LEADERSHIP TEAM CORPORATE TEAM Jane Drapeaux, Chief Executive Officer Mitch Finn, Deputy Executive Director Jim McGoldrick, Chief Financial Officer Jason Fisher, Human Resources Director Keri Burian, Agency Development/Human Resources Manager Chris Ackman, Communications & Volunteer Engagement Manager Whitney Sanger , Creative Communications & Development Director David Hagen, Data Outcomes Specialist
DIVISION DIRECTORS Christi Regan, Early Childhood Programs Director Kim Guardado, Food Reservoir Director Dan Rauser, Housing Stabilization Director Diana Strahan, Family & Community Health Alliance Director Heather Harney, Regional Housing Director
PROGRAM MANAGERS & COUNTY COORDINATORS Danielle Rodriguez, Johnson County & Linn County Outreach Director Ron Axtell, Dubuque County Outreach Director Linda Lough, Benton County Rural Senior Services Director RenElla Crawford, Washington County Operations Director Ronelle Clark, Jackson County Center Coordinator Deb Hamblin, Delaware County Coordinator Julie Finn, Jones County Coordinator Sandy Gilbert, Energy Assistance Supervisor Christene Langmann, CACFP Homes Coordinator Dani Pershing, 1st Five Coordinator Amy Becker, Paces to Quality Manager
Over 325 diverse team members, represent HACAP, including 136 new hires this year.
6.
THE BOARD OFFICERS John Brandt, President RaeAnn Gordon, Vice-President Wayne Manternach, Treasurer Lynette Jacoby, Secretary
BOARD MEMBERS Kaitlyn Love Karen Breitbach Bruce Adams Carrie O'Connor Bob Yoder David Thielen Laura Roussell Sunshine Candler Ron Collins John Schlarmann Kyle Milroy Nancy Foley Leah Rodenberg Katelyn Wolfe Melanie Nollsch Rick Primmer Steve Pace
7.
With the pandemic, the derecho and the economic uncertainties, the year has presented challenges and opportunities. HACAP has responded in very supportive, creative and compassionate ways.
John Brandt
Board President
Health + Nutrition 8.
Native prairie grasses have roots up to ten times longer than most turf grasses. These roots help them withstand the wind and erosion and reach water deep in the earth during droughts. In short, it makes the grasses more resilient. Like prairie grass facing dry conditions, during the last 18 months we've had to dig our roots deep and grow more resilient in our work to ensure the people we serve have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive. We made staffing changes designed to help us better meet the needs of our community. A fulltime volunteer coordinator oversees all our on-site volunteers and works with community groups to create meaningful engagement opportunities. Two new Regional Partnership Coordinators (RPC) started working in all seven counties to perform community assessments, engage with partner agencies, and build connections so we can respond to community needs as they arise. The RPCs are planting seeds to grow deep roots in all seven counties while recognizing that each community is different and has unique assets and challenges. Access to nutritious food is essential for families to thrive, but it isn't the only challenge many families face. Families who face food insecurity often face impossible choices between competing financial priorities - food, rent, medication costs, childcare, transportation - the list goes on. This fall, we started developing resources to help our partner agencies address the clients more holistically.
A NOTE FROM OUR FOOD RESERVOIR
Greetings,
Someone seeking assistance from a food pantry might also qualify for SNAP or be able to get help with winter energy bills. We can help clients have the opportunity to succeed by providing them with wraparound support. Another piece of this holistic approach is through partnerships with healthcare providers. A grant opportunity has allowed us to pilot a program at Mercy Medical Center to screen patients in specific departments for food "insecurity and connect them directly with food or resources as needed. When we think about addressing root causes of hunger we cannot ignore the role government policies play in helping families thrive. During the pandemic, the USDA removed barriers to SNAP access and by looking at their newly released food-insecurity data we can see that the policy changes worked. Fewer people reported experiencing food insecurity than projected because of the assistance they were able to receive. There is an opportunity for food banks, partner agencies, and supporters to continue to advocate for policies that address root causes of poverty. We are all learning in our own lives what our "new normal" looks like. Our work as a food bank is no different. We are leaning into these new opportunities to grow and change to help build strong communities filled with nourished neighbors. As we move forward together we extend a huge thank you to our volunteers, donors, and partners for all that they do to help feed people. We can’t wait to see what we can do together in the future!
9.
Kim Guardado
Food Reservoir Director
FOOD RESERVOIR ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMUNITY Leah Rodenberg Ashley Balius Tim Getty Ann Hearn Jay Larson Scott Wilson Jasmine Wu Jon Buse Jenna Lovass STAFF Jane Drapeaux Kim Guardado Angie Albright Allyn Glenn-Angell Tyler Mills Taylor Glanz
Distributed enough food for 10 Million meals Expanded the Inclusively Appropriate Foods Program
“I’m proud to work alongside community members on the HACAP Food Advisory Council to educate and advocate for solutions to address food insecurity in our communities. The HACAP Food Reservoir has been crucial in supporting families in crisis during a pandemic and a natural disaster. We are very fortunate to have HACAP in East Central Iowa, partnering with over 165 local agencies to serve families in need.”
Leah Rodenberg
Council President
10.
11.
11. 11.
VACCINATION CLINICS
2
CLINICS AT HACAP CORPORATE
" ADDITIONAL CLINICS WERE HELD AT MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES, KERNELS GAME, AND URBAN WIC OFFICE 12.
Energy conservation 13.
Meet Tammy
A Dubuquer
Tammy Lynch, Dubuque Native, is the true definition of a Dubuquer. With roots that date back over 100 years ago, she and her family have called Dubuque home for as long as she can remember. Tammy shared stories of the old days including a general store her family once owned and her extended family creating both a prosperous and sometimes difficult life here in Dubuque. Tammy recalled many of her life experiences in Dubuque including being one of the first graduates from the “Getting Ahead In A Just-Gettin’-By World” Program that brought her to volunteer at the Circles Initiative for many years. In addition Tammy has served on the Washington Park Neighborhood Association, specifically the Safe Trick or Treat Program and has brought these skills and resources to other neighborhoods in which she resided. She continuously expressed her love for the people in this community, and shared when someone is in need, she is there. Just as she is there for others she indicated HACAP, once Operation New View, has been there for her in the same way. She sees HACAP as a great organization to help working families without judgement. She recalled hard times when her grandmother, mother and now her needed a little boost to get by, especially with heat bills rising during the frigid midwestern months. Currently she resides in a home that is over 100 years old and participates in the LIHEAP Program, which assists with meeting the costs of home heating, Tammy stated “I would be really struggling with the heating bills if it were not for the assistance I receive”. In the past Tammy has also utilized many additional resources that have been offered by HACAP, including rent reimbursement, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA), fans & air conditioning, Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), food resource referrals, personal hygiene products and more. Tammy continued to share her positive experiences in the community and offered final words of wisdom for others who may be struggling. “If you need it, ask for it. Don't be ashamed when you fall back on hard times, everyone has been there and no one needs to feel ashamed because it's part of life. There will be a time when you can give back too, whether that be through volunteering or by being a good friend or neighbor.”
14.
AVERAGE LIHEAP AWARD PER HOUSEHOLD
$460.00
9,821 HOUSEHOLDS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED ENERGY SERVICES
15.
$6,191,676
DOLLARS AWARDED FOR ENERGY
IN 2021 HACAP PROVIDED EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR
1,535 FAMILIES TOTALING $1,491,499
AVERAGE WEATHERIZATION SPEND PER HOUSEHOLD
$4,543 16. 16.
Children 17.
Head Start/Early Head Start is a leading early childhood program in the nation. Such recognition and excellence doesn’t occur by chance. It is the result of caring and dedicated parents and guardians, it is our young children, and it involves our community partners and the committed and valued HS/EHS Team Members. I believe strength of the HACAP HS/EHS lies in the collective talents of our trained and dedicated team members working with our enrolled children and families. This could be a team member who has been with us for a matter of weeks or the team member who has had over 36 years of making an impact in HS/EHS. Strength comes from the deeply embedded 25 community partners. These partners are school districts, local child care centers, the three AEA’s that serve our nine county area, Visiting Nurse Association, Public Health, and local non-profits that support our mission and growth of the HS/EHS program. Strength comes from believing and knowing we make a difference in the lives of our children, the families and our communities.
A NOTE FROM HEAD START
Greetings,
October 1, 2020 we had the honor to begin providing Head Start services in the counties of Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson Counties. We gained 190 more Head Start slots and 49 more team members. We are thrilled and excited to grow from providing HS/EHS in six counties to now making a difference in nine counties. We grew from fourteen centers to twenty-one centers and partnership with school districts and child care partners grew from ten to thirteen to offer 937 HS/EHS slots in the HACAP HS/EHS service area. The last eighteen months have shown to all of us how strong and resilient we are. We approached each situation with open thoughts and minds. Planning for how to best meet the needs of our children, families, staff and communities. We will continue to watch, learn and grow with one another and our communities. I am proud of the HS/EHS and so grateful to be able to call them Family.
Christi Regan
Early Childhood Programs Director
18.
HELPING OUR FUTURE LEADERS GROW. “The Head Start program has allowed the possibility of returning to work and offering a reliable and stable service. We have used the referral for the HACAP Financial Advisor and have been able to start the home purchasing process thanks to his help and assistance.
Thank you for having such an amazing program! I truly don’t know where we would be without this program.”
Anonymous Provided Head Start services in three additional counties Nine new Head Start locations which support eleven classrooms 19.
Meet Abdulaziz
Proud father
In 2012 Abdualaziz and his family moved from Jordan to Iowa and had big dreams for their family. We are proud to be a part of that journey in achieving their dreams. While his wife, Soa Abdallad, is enrolled as a student, pursuing her medical degree, Abdulaziz drives for Uber and cares for his children. Over the course of 10 years HACAP has had the opportunity to watch their four children Leen, Motaz, Lilian and Mahmoud grow while in the Head Start classrooms. Today all children are thriving, happy and doing very well. Abdulaziz spoke of his children with such pride and stated that he believes that each child started off on the right foot at Head Start. He felt he owed much of his children's success to the staff at the Waterfront campus, especially Ms. Lisa, a Head Start teacher that has been with them since the beginning. Abdualaziz's favorite thing about Head Start is how flexible they are, and the open communication. He also expressed his appreciation for the Arabic food, teachers, and the kindness each staff member has shown to their family. Beyond that, they are enjoying the connections and relationships built with other students and parents of Head Start.
"For the first time in 7 years, we have money to go back and see our family, things are so good for us and this could not have happened without you guys."
Diversity in the Classroom
WATERFRONT CAMPUS, CHILDREN'S HOME LANGUAGES 44 ARABIC, 3 SPANISH, 2 FRENCH, 1 CHINESE
44 الطالب 2 étudiantes
3 estudiantes 1 學生們
20.
This past year has been a year of transition and change to blend two quality programs into one. This change has given the families in our service area a stronger, more powerful support system in providing the assistance and services they are in need of.
Brenda Sullivan,
Assistant Head Start Director
21.
22. 21.
Homelessness 23.
FAMILIES SERVED 250
393
SERVED IN 2019
SERVED IN 2021
“The hard work and dedication HACAP’s homeless services team has provided over the last 18 months continues to astound me. Access to affordable housing is a growing gap in each community we serve. This team has embraced
the challenge full on in very trying circumstances and works endlessly on obtaining and maintaining housing for those most vulnerable in our community”
Heather Harney
Housing Stabilization Director
24.
Veteran Support 25.
MEET BRITTNEY, Meet Brittney
Veteran + Mother
Brittney is a veteran, mother of five and a community member navigating her life back home. Brittney joined the service in 2008 as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Maintainer. While this was a new journey at the young age of 21, she was no stranger to the life of service. Both of her great grandparents, her grandparent and her uncle all served for our country. n 2012, Brittney returned to civilian life and began mapping out her life back home. While the road was difficult at times, Brittney navigated it with strength that is to be commended. While life seemed to move forward like a well oiled machine for many years, just like many, Covid-19 took a toll on their families life. As she juggled life as a mom and wife during a pandemic, past trauma from the service began to surface. When the burdens became too much to bear, she reached out for help. Through the support of a veteran counselor and HACAP team - she began working on her own health while creating a new future for her and her children. With HACAP support she was able to find a new home that she could feel proud of and a network to support her through every step. These vital services have provided her time to heal by allowing her the opportunity to continue to do what she prides herself in most - being a mother. Her vehicle is now safe to drive, as HACAP helped ensure she had brand new tires and a reliable source of transportation. Her new home fits all her families needs and she is beginning to build back the life she always dreamed of, while taking care of what matters most, herself.
“I feel empowered, I feel refined and I feel a little more wise. As you go, you have to fail a couple of times to know that you're really succeeding.” 26.
GROWTH IN NUMBERS
$685,702 40% 365
Dollars spent for Supportive Services for Veteran Families(SSVF)
More individuals have been served this year in our SSVF and Veteran Services Programs compared to pre-pandemic enrollment
Individuals served through SSVF
Serving those who served us!.
27.
28.
Volunteer Report 29.
VOLUNTEERING IN ACTION
Each volunteer at HACAP is a tiny piece of the puzzle with a large purpose in making change. Without their amazing hearts, generous souls, and skills beyond compare, HACAP and our community would be substantially less connected and enormously less beautiful.
6,910 Volunteer Hours
WHERE DO PEOPLE VOLUNTEER? OPPORTUNITY CENTER 9.4%
HEAD START 4.1%
HEALTH ALLIANCE 9.3%
SENIOR DINING 17%
FOOD RESERVOIR 59.3%
30.
"Success Center students gain valuable employability skills while volunteering at HACAP. They are proud of their work and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from helping the community."
Amy Schrader
Linn Mar High School Success Center
31.
The community action promise..... Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
32.
Financials 33.
34.
HACAP.ORG
