Laurel House Annual Impact Report FY21.22

Annual Impact Report

TABLE

Dear Friends,

To say this was a historic year for Laurel House would be an understatement.

As many of you know, we held our ribbon cutting ceremony for our new Safe Haven Center in June of 2022. This ceremony marked the completion of more than ten years of planning and two years of renovation!

I had the privilege of being there to emcee the event, participate in pictures and meet supporters and donors. But the fact is, there were countless others who saw this project through from the start. I just happened to be there at the culmination of a lot of hard work by staff, past and current board members, and the support of elected officials. The leadership of our Executive Director, Beth Sturman, was instrumental in bringing it all together.

What makes it real (drives it home) are the comments of Laurel House’s clients who say they feel safe there. Or the fact that ardent supporters of the project are awestruck or even teary eyed when they tour the facility. Laurel House will be able to serve more families with the new center, provide more counseling, and do so in a new, modern, safe environment. As of June 30, 2022, Laurel House has raised over 92% of the $3.5 million campaign goal. Thank you to all the donors, both individuals and organizations, that made this Capital Campaign a success!

Laurel House also continues the successful operation of our Thrift Stores, who also had banner, recordbreaking years. Both Marian’s Attic (King of Prussia) and Laurel’s Loft (Lansdale) were hugely successful thanks to the patronage of our supporters and community. These proceeds go directly to supporting the services and programs Laurel House offers.

Our satellite office and counseling facility, Nicole’s Place, moved to a more accessible location in Huntingdon Valley and continues to provide crucial information and services to Eastern Montgomery County. Thanks to the staff and volunteers that make this possible.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our first ever Virtual Gala. While we made the difficult decision to pivot from an in-person Gala to a Virtual Gala, it was a huge success. This success would not have been possible without the hard work of key staff and board members. Thank you to everyone who attended our 2022 Gala. We are looking forward to our in-person Gala in April 2023!

While we continue to face challenges, whether staffing, affordable housing, or the unknown, the management team and staff at Laurel House continues to impress in navigating the ever-changing environment. The support of our community stakeholders continues to be crucial to our success.

I would like to sincerely thank our staff of over 50 individuals. Without their dedication, Laurel House would not be the premier organization that it is today. I would also like to thank our volunteers, who total roughly 150, for the time they dedicate to supporting the mission.

And lastly, I’d like to again thank our supporters, donors, and advocates. Without you, we could not support the staff, programs, and services crucial to our clients.

Wishing everyone health and happiness,

Respectfully,

Brian Taylor President of the Board

SAFE HAVEN CENTER OPENS!

On June 2, 2022, Laurel House held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its newly relocated and expanded emergency shelter, the Safe Haven Center. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony marked the completion of more than ten years of planning and two years of renovations on a $3.5 million building project that will provide emergency shelter and support services to victims of domestic abuse and their families. The Safe Haven Center, a 9,000-square-foot facility, will provide increased capacity and accessibility to on-site services, including a 24-hour hotline, crisis response, legal advocacy, individual and group counseling, case management, and programs for children. As of June 30, 2022, Laurel House has raised over 92% of the $3.5 million campaign goal.

AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS

In February 2022, Nicole’s Place at Laurel House relocated to the campus of Gloria Dei Church in Huntingdon Valley. Gloria Dei Church has been a valued partner of Nicole’s Place since the office opened and actively promotes healthy relationships in their congregation and the community at large. We are excited to work more closely with new office mates from the Growth Opportunity Center and build and strengthen partnerships with other community organizations that regularly work with Gloria Dei. This new location will offer more office space for counseling and case management, additional flexible space for group counseling, and community meetings, and the ability to host more training! The indoor and outdoor spaces are calming and grounding and offer clients a chance to sit and reflect in nature or let their children play outside after a session. Importantly, our new location is accessible via public transportation (both bus and train), providing more options for our clients to reach us safely.

Hotline calls were answered by trained advocates

Transitional housing families

Families living in the community were provided Thanksgiving dinner

nights of safe shelter were provided to 137 victims of domestic abuse and their children

hours of counseling were provided to 354 victims of domestic abuse

STRATEGIC PLAN JUNE 2022 – JUNE 2025

This past year marked the first year of Laurel House’s threeyear Strategic Plan. The plan provides a road map for the agency that will keep it centered and serve as an umbrella for all agency activities. The Board of Directors and staff will review progress quarterly and will review and update the plan annually as needed.

This current Strategic Plan is comprised of seven strategic priorities. These priorities support the agency’s overall mission and provide direction to allow Laurel House to grow and develop for the future.

YOUR IMPACT

Thank you so much for being there during this crazy pandemic and time over the past few weeks. Without your help, my family wouldn’t be surviving right now. Knowing there is such kind, selfless, empathetic, compassionate people in this world helps many of us, including me, in a time of need and healing.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. My son and I were overwhelmed when we received the gift cards. I cannot begin to express how much this meant to us. It brought me happy tears and muchneeded financial relief this year to help out with Christmas gifts and items we needed for our home.

YOUR IMPACT

I knew it was time to get out. The last time he hit me, I was out of school for four days because of how bad it was. Days later, Laurel House came to my school to present on Healthy Relationships. I went up to the advocate and said, “I need help.” She got me help and connected me with a counselor and the DART team.

The DART team held my hand through the court process. After I left, I was harassed and stalked, and my life was threatened. I was terrified going through the court system, but I remember Laurel House would hold my hand through it and made sure I had the support I needed. During my junior and senior years, I went to Laurel House after school to get individual and group counseling. I always knew I had someone in my corner. I couldn’t be more grateful to Laurel House for them helping me.

I’m hopeful I can overcome the difficulties I’m experiencing. I used the gift cards towards rent which was a huge blessing, and the household donations you gave me are going a long way (so nice to have toilet paper!). Words can’t begin to properly thank the angel team at Laurel House and everyone you have connected me with. I am so grateful for the continued support and likely would not have had the chance to rebuild and become whole without it. You guys are and continue to be amazing. Thank you for going above and beyond for me. I continue to struggle, but knowing I’m not alone makes all the difference.

Penny Satell Berman

Carla Clanagan

Lynn Doerr

Janell Fabiano

Dana E. Greenspan, Esq. Mary Griffith-Alfarano

Angela Ko, CPA

Kathryn Koller Dr. Colleen Lelli Richelle Payne Duncan Reed Diana Scott

KEY STAFF

Executive Director: Beth Sturman

Deputy Director: Stacy Dougherty

Human Resources Director: Barbara Warliga

Senior Director: Tina Quinci

Director of Shelter and Housing: Melinda Himes

Director of Counseling: Ashley Thompson

Director of Counseling Emeritus: Minna Davis

Staffing Highlight

In February 2022, Laurel House reinstated the position of Deputy Director. Stacy Dougherty, who previously held the role of Director of Community Outreach, was promoted to this position. In addition to supervising the Director of Shelter and Housing, the Director of Community Outreach, Nicole’s Place Manager, and the front desk position at the Outreach and Administrative Office, she also manages the agency’s government grants and client database.

Laurel House is recognized by Charity Navigator an organization that evaluates nonprofit agencies. Laurel House has received the highest (4-star) rating for consecutive years by Charity Navigator since 2018.

IN HER OWN WORDS

P.O. Box 764 • Norristown, PA 19404 Office: 610-277-1860 • 24 Hour Hotline: 1-800-642-3150 www.laurel-house.org

Laurel House is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, charitable organization as defined under the Internal Revenue Service code section 501c(3). Tax exemption entity ID 23-2172743. Please consult with your professional tax advisor as to what deduction may be available to you. The official registration and financial information of Laurel House may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

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