FY 2020
LUK proudly showcased artwork from over 40 clients at the Fitchburg Art Museum as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations. Those who participated in the show were asked to consider our 50th Anniversary tagline of “Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future� while making their artwork. LUK believes art has the ability provide a powerful outlet for expression and healing. Featured across this annual report is a sample of some of the showcased artwork. 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Letter From Our Founder.............................................4 A Letter From Our CEO...................................................5 LUK’s Timeline...........................................................6-11 1970s.......................................6 1980s.......................................7 1990s.......................................8 2000s.......................................9 2010s.......................................10 2020s.......................................11 FY 20 Data...................................................................12 Stories From Our Community.......................................13 Highlights from 2020...................................................14 Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values.........................15 LUK’s Board of Directors...............................................16 LUK’s Senior Management and Leadership Team........17 Financials......................................................................18 Our Community Supporters..........................................19
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A Letter From Our Founder
“Our niche strategy was to be the place where people uncomfortable with other agencies could identify with.” - Punky Pletan-Cross
LUK, Inc. was birthed in the cultural shift of the late 1960’s/ early 1970’s; a time defined by the Anti-Poverty and Mental Health Movements and advocacy for Civil Rights, Women’s, and Reproductive Rights. From the beginning, LUK was an eclectic mix of businesspeople, educators, street people, and concerned community citizens. The core of our Hotline Training embraced the thinking of Carl Rogers and his nonjudgmental empathetic response to people. Those early values were critical in the evolution of the organization. The people who started LUK were committed to providing services in a nonjudgmental and non-traditional way, and to a population that at the time was perceived as not being in the “mainstream”. That included meeting people where they were, the idea that people are bundles of strength, people are capable of change, and that people have the capacity to make decisions if given effective tools. Carl Rogers used the metaphor of a mirror, to reflect to an individual what they were thinking and saying to assist them in coming to their own conclusions about what was best for them. Our niche strategy was to be the place where people uncomfortable at other agencies could identify with; where issues like race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, were not barriers to receiving services. LUK started before the right to universal access to birth control, thus the agency was active in finding physicians who would prescribe birth control and in referring women out of state for abortions. For those concerned about the contents of street drugs, LUK sent street samples to be tested by the Do It Now Foundation which was a system that assured anonymity to the person seeking the analysis. With a combination of support from the business and philanthropic community and educational institutions; we also had high street credibility from the very beginning. We were a resource to those most in need of service and least open to going to traditional service providers; meeting them where they were while authentically committed to assisting them without regard to who they were or their behaviors. Those remain hallmarks of LUK till this day.
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A Letter From Our CEO LUK, Inc. has changed in size and location since our founding in the early 1970s, but has not wavered from the Mission of the organization. The meaning behind LUK’s full name of Let Us Know is held dear to each and every staff member. The act of listening before responding is essential to developing relationships with those we serve. Our staff are taught to suspend judgment and to understand the circumstances which prompts a person or a community to reach out for help. We recognize that to request help is sometimes a herculean effort for a person and our response must be genuine and empathetic to alleviate any inherent shame a person may feel. We approach our work with active curiosity and a belief that individuals and communities have strengths and our job is to provide a safe space where potential can grow. The organization has evolved over time, but remains in touch with the needs of our community. We value our relationships in the 65 cities in towns of Central Massachusetts. We believe in the benefits of using traditional and nontraditional methods to reach people. While we offer the safe space of our offices, we also meetpeople virtually, in their homes, or on the street. We feel privileged to be welcomed into the homes of those we work. We understand that the struggles that people face are often fueled by challenging life experiences. The work we do is demanding and draining, but the reward of witnessing people grow is worth every moment! We also recognize that helping requires a team of people working together. LUK cannot do our work without partnering with organizations, funders, health care agencies, schools, and natural supports of families.
“Our job is to provide a safe space where potential can grow.� - Beth Barto
What does the future bring for LUK? We commit to continue our learning on how best to meet community needs and use the collective wisdom of our staff, the people we work with, and the community to innovate and adapt. Thank you for supporting us over the years. We hope our annual report, reflecting back on our 50 year journey, will continue to inspire our partnership with you.
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Operational Budget = $150,000
1970
Staff = 20
Office Locations = 1
1975
LUK founded in 1970 as the Let Us Know Crisis Center, Inc., by a pair of VISTA members, Punky Pletan-Cross from North Dakota and Ric Whalen from Connecticut with a number of community members
1978
LUK purchases a house at 99 Day Street in Fitchburg to become the main office
LUK begins providing foster care services
1970s 1972
LUK expanded operations as a 24-hour, seven day-a-week crisis hotline
1976
LUK begins Survival Skills, an adventure-based experiential learning program for youth
1970 - Kent State Shooting, 1972 - Nixon elected President, 1973 - Roe v. Wade, 1974 - Nixon resigns, 1976 - Carter elected President
Operational Budget = $1,300,000
1980
Staff = 50
Office Locations = 1
1982
LUK opens its first residential treatment program, LUK 2
1989
LUK hires bilingual staff, to provide case management in Spanish
LUK implements home-based services as part of the Intensive Family Intervention program
1980s 1982
LUK establishes independent living services for young adults, 16-21 years old
1985
LUK starts the LUK Family Training Institute in partnership with Fitchburg State University
1980 - Reagan elected president, 1986 - Chernobyl, 1988 - Bush elected president, 1989 - Fall of the Berlin Wall
Operational Budget = $1,574,249
1990
Staff = 75
Office Locations = 1
1992
LUK opens T-House for pregnant and parenting teens and their children
1995
LUK becomes a licensed substance abuse clinic
LUK begins providing Peer Leadership programs
1990s 1991
LUK becomes a licensed behavioral health clinic
1993
LUK’s Horizon House opens, providing emergency placement services for youth ages 10-18
1990 - Mandela freed in South Africa, 1992 - Clinton elected President, 1992 - First text message sent between phones, 1999 - Columbine
Operational Budget = $6,400,652
2002
Staff = 150
Office Locations = 3
2005
LUK begins its Mentoring Program, pairing children ages 6-17 with positive role models
2009
LUK is selected as the Lead Agency for the North Central DCF Office
LUK begins providing in-home services for children & families through CBHI and partners with CHL to implement Families & Communities Together (FCT)
2000s 2004
LUK implements its first evidence-based treatment model as part of the Moving On program
2009
LUK’s becomes a Category III site of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and implements the Central Massachusetts Child Trauma Center
2000 - Bush elected President, 2001 - 9/11, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina, 2007 - iPhone unveiled, 2008 - Obama elected President
Operational Budget = $17,331,791
2010
Staff = 239
Office Locations = 5
2018
2011
LUK begins Project Shine, addressing leadership skill development and promoting positive relationships for girls
LUK opens its most recent satellite office in Boylston, totaling five offices throughout Central Massachusetts
LUK begins The Compass Network to provide low barrier access to runaway and homeless young people
2010s 2010
LUK is awarded a Drug Free Communities grant to support the Gardner Community Action Team
2012
LUK starts providing Maternity Group Home services for pregnant and parenting young people in addition to housing homeless youth throughout Worcester County
2010 - Haiti earthquake, 2012 - Sandy Hook Shooting, 2015 - Same-sex marriage legalized, 2016 - Trump elected President
Operational Budget = $ 21,107,751
2020
Staff = 278
Office Locations = 5
2020
2020
LUK implements telehealth services
LUK implements FY20-FY24 strategic plan including six priorities to enhance services to our community
LUK demonstrates its commitment to advocacy by forming the LUK Advocacy Advisory Board
2020s 2020
LUK’s CMCTC receives funding to re-open as a category III site of the NCTSN and expands to include Early Childhood Education
2020
LUK celebrates 50 years of providing services to the community
2020 - Women’s March, Coronavirus Pandemic, ‘Fed Up’-risings, Biden elected President with Kamala Harris as first female Vice President
FY 20 Data Although this year was met with unprecedented challenges, during Fiscal Year 20, we reached over 160,000 individuals through community activities.
94%
96%
of consumers said they got the help they needed
97%
of consumers said they got the help they wanted
of consumers expressed overall satisfaction with LUK
Our consumers are residents from all over Massachusetts. Our services, programs, and offices are located in Central Massachusetts, with the majority of consumers living in Worcester and Fitchburg. Worcester
Fitchburg
Leominster Gardner
25%
25%
11% 6%
Other (Worcester County) Other
29%
5 new programs and services
Building Resiliency in Youth and Caregivers, DDS College Navigation, Developing Resilience And Well-Being, Street Outreach, Students Taking A New Direction
18% We are dedicated to improving the lives of youth and their families. The range in ages of our consumers is reflective of that commitment. A little over one-third of our consumers are between the ages of 5 and 11.
12%
18%
16%
31%
5% <5 12
5-11
12-14
15-17
18-25
25+
4%
Stories from Our Community
From a Volunteer “I work with the Mentoring program and can’t thank the staff enough for their support and commitment to matching youth with adults in the community who simply need someone to listen and understand.” - Kelly Johnson
From a Consumer “I have changed a lot since I first came to LUK. I am more mature since I’ve had to learn to do things on my own. I feel more confident in myself…” - TIL Services Consumer
From a Former Employee “I was part of the LUK family for 10 years and loved the rewarding work I did with families. LUK is full of employees who love to help others and make a difference in the community!” - Loree Nauman 13
Highlights from 2020 Last year at this time, who would have guessed that 2020 would be filled with illness, unrest, stress, and anxiety? The past year has seen untold changes, from bouts of quarantine and isolation to accessorizing with masks, from rising hate crimes and civil unrest and calls to reallocate funds for mental health services. Life as we knew it is gone and we have yet to establish a “new normal”. 2020 has tested our strength, but LUK has risen to the challenge! On March 18, 2020, LUK trained over 200 staff to provide telehealth services, and our staff got busy! Since that time, we have conducted 16,511 telehealth sessions and 3,098 telephonic sessions. Staff have maintained family connections via technology when in-person visits were not an option. Staff have connected with children with developmental delays with virtual games, dance parties, and other activities. Youth have connected with each other using video; our Peer Leaders created and published video messages to prevent youth substance use and suicide. Participants in STAND (Students Taking A New Direction) channeled their energy into activism through art by creating a Black Lives Matter sign for the front of LUK’s Main Office. 2020 was also LUK’s 50th anniversary. We celebrated with a virtual event with remarks from our founder and CEO, a digital scrapbook, and an awards ceremony. These are just a few highlights from 2020. We’ve been tested and we’re ready for whatever 2021 has in store for us! 14
Our Mission
Our Vision
To challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.
We partner to create communities where all people are safe, healthy, and resilient.
Our Core Values QUALITY: Providing strength-based services that are flexible, creative, and individualized. SELF-EMPOWERMENT: Respecting and encouraging each individual to realize their strengths and intrinsic worth. RELATIONSHIPS: Engaging individuals and their communities with passion, commitment, humor, integrity, and tenacity. COMMUNITY: Collaborating with each other and the people we serve to identify and respond to needs. COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE: Promoting continuous learning. LEADERSHIP: Demonstrating responsible risk-taking and innovation. JUSTICE: Striving for social equity for the people and communities we serve. CELEBRATING DIVERSITY: Embracing the concepts of cultural humility and cultural responsiveness. STEWARDSHIP: Assuring quality services are available, accessible, effective, and sustainable.
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Board of Directors Ryan McGuane, President Advent Financial Consultants Brenda Buckley, Treasurer IC Federal Credit Union Lois Barry, Clerk Community Volunteer Charlie Desourdy Markley Group Nehcole Felix Felix Consulting Co. Carol Jacobson Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce Barbara Nealon Heywood Hospital David Roth 4theCause Marketing Dave G. Southcotte, Sr., Esquire Erb & Southcotte Tony Fields Cleartech Group Rick Harmon, Jr.* Axsun Technologies
*Joined Fiscal Year 21 16
Senior Management and Leadership Team Beth Barto, Chief Executive Officer Thomas A. Hall, Chief Operations Officer Michael J. Roberts, Chief Financial Officer David Hamolsky, Clinical Director James Cassidy, Director of Human Resources Cassandra Foley, Director of Community Engagement & Support Services Brigitte Ferrante, Director of Administration Darruenee Vann, Lead Agency Director Kelsey Cadran, Director of Information Maurie Bergeron, Director of Transition to Independent Living Services Melissa Murphy, Director of Community & Family Support Services Melissa Richardson, Director of Integrated Care Partnership Michele M. Morrissey, Director of Community Placement Paul Charette, Behavioral Health Services Director Sona Klimowicz, Director of Residential Services Tricia Bethune, Clinic Director
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Financials
REVENUE
Contributions and Grants 3.40% Direct Federal Gifts 0.24% Grants 5.76% Other 0.44% 3rd Party Billing 14.32%
Financials listed below are for Fiscal Year 20, unaudited. REVENUE: $20,994,546 State and Local Program Grants and Fees $15,916,332 3rd Party Billing $3,006,762 Direct Federal Grants $1,211,531 Contributions and Gifts $51,049 Grants $715,255 Other $93,617 ASSETS: $9,232,201 Cash, Receivables, and Prepaid Expenses $6,946,250 Property and Equipment $2,237,872 Other Assets $48,080 LIABILITIES: $5,575,397 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses $4,604,598 Long-Term Debt and Other Liabilities $423,111 Current Portion of Long-Term Debt $144,636 Deferred Revenue, Capital Leases, and Other Liabilities $403,053 NET ASSETS: $3,656,804 Without Donor Restrictions $3,488,748 With Donor Restrictions $168,056 Occupancy 7.04% EXPENSES: $20,891,051 Employee Compensation and Related Expenses $14,001,620 Program Expenses $4,423,895 Occupancy $1,471,779 Direct Administration, and Other Expenses $993,757
Program Expenses 21.17%
Employee Compensation and Related Expenses 67.02% 18
State and Local Program Grants and Fees 75.81%
EXPENSES Direct Administration, and Other Expenses 4.75%
Our Community Supporters
8 out of 10 of all donations came from individual donations from members of the community.
Individual Donors 13.5%
Corporate Sponsors 18.8%
Funding Sources
Corporate Donations 67.7%
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) • Department of Developmental Services (DDS) • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) • DESE Bureau of Nutrition (BoN) • Department of Mental Health (DMH) • Department of Public Health (DPH) • DPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) • Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) • Department of Youth Services (DYS) • Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) • Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA) • Office of Attorney General (AGO) Maura Healey United States Federal Government Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) • Department of Health & Human Services, Family & Youth Services Bureau • Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) • Department of Housing & Urban Development • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Additional Funders Amelia Peabody Foundation • Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) • Citizens Energy • City of Fitchburg • City of Gardner • Commonwealth Corporation • Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts • Digital Federal Credit Union • Fuller Foundation • Greater Worcester Community Foundation • The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (THFCM) • Heywood Healthcare Charitable Foundation • Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP) • Mass Service Alliance (MSA) • Reliant Foundation • United Way of Central Massachusetts • United Way of North Central Massachusetts • Worcester Together • Various Public & Commercial Health Insurers •And Countless Local Businesses and Individuals Like YOU! 19
545 Westminster Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 Telephone: 978-345-0685 Fax: 978-345-3602 www.LUK.org
All of the artwork featured in this annual report was created by LUK consumers for our 50th Anniversary.