2023 Annual Report by Neighborhood House

1020 S. Matthew St. Peoria, IL 61603

Ph. 309-674-1131

Fax 309-674-1896

Board of Directors

Scott Strubhar – Chair

Emily Wilburn – Vice Chair

Steve Gatton – Secretary

Brooke Miller – Treasurer

Kevin Day - Past Chair

Tony Dodaro

LaKeisha Faggett

David Aduama

Jill Jackson

Mark Joseph

John Kaiser

Roberta Koscielski

LaTrina Leary

Jason McKee

Mandar Pattekar

Michael Riley

Diane Roe

Derek Roemer

Charlie Smith

Rebekah Stanley

Janette Summerville

John Sutherland

Samantha Ulrich

Kiran K Velpula

Emeritus Board Members

Mr. Dave Auer

Mr. John Sahn

Mr. Ken Hinrichs

Sen. George Shadid (Ret.)

Mr. Hank Jorgensen

Ms. Nancy Swords

Mrs. Alice Kieser

Mr. Robert Williamson

Letter from our President

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I am delighted to share with you the FY23 Annual Report for Neighborhood House Association. This past year has been filled with challenges and opportunities and I am proud to share the progress we have made in fulfilling our mission and to continue to feed, educate and empower those most in need.

As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of the resilience and determination demonstrated by our team, volunteers and clients as we navigated into the post-pandemic world. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to our success from our dedicated staff to our generous donors and collaborative partners.

In the past year, we achieved significant milestones that have furthered our mission to provide a safe environment, resources and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages. Some of our key accomplishments include:

Unveiling of our 125th anniversary history wall, which reminds us of where we have been and helps to 1 guide us as we look toward the future.

Completion of our outdoor learning space thanks to a generous donation by Byrne and Jones and a grant 2 from Rotary Club of Peoria.

Julie Bonar – President/CEO

Bryna Ryan – Chief Operating Officer

Alex Cheesman – Human Resources Director

Amanda Rassi – Development Director

Noah Palm – Development Assistant

Jim Schwindenhammer

Neighborhood House would like to recognize departing board members Mark Joseph, Kevin Day, Kiran Velpula, and John Kaiser for their years of outstanding service to Neighborhood House and our community.

Neighborhood House looks forward to welcoming new incoming board members

Tim Spears, Brittany Strickland, Dave Schaab, and Kari Clark. Thank you for sharing our passion for our community. Welcome to the team!

Adapting to a new school calendar and providing full day programming during fall and winter breaks for 3 District 150 students.

Re-opening of our first congregate meal site in Tazewell County, after being shut down since March 2020. 4

Conducted a day-long staff development retreat to take a step back from the day-to-day work and 5 rejuvenate the team.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the generous support of our donors and stakeholders. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability. As a testament to our responsible financial management, I am pleased to provide an overview of our financial performance on page 19 of this report.

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to our donors and supporters who have continued to believe in our vision and generously contributed to our cause. Your unwavering commitment has allowed us to expand our reach as we work to feed, educate and empower those most in need.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to our hardworking staff, board of directors and volunteers who embody the spirit of compassion and dedication in everything they do. Their passion for our mission is the driving force of our success.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to building on our accomplishments and addressing the evolving needs of the communities we serve. We will continue to provide a safe environment, resources and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages.

Your continued support is critical to our success. There are many ways to get involved and make a difference – from volunteering your time and skills to becoming a monthly donor. Together, we will continue to feed, educate and empower those most in need.

Thank you for being a part of the Neighborhood House family.

Julie Bonar

LEADERSHIP 3 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT BOARD &

STAFF

– Finance Associate Christine Bonds – Finance Associate Katrina Rogers – Meals on Wheels Director Amanda McCoy – Meals on Wheels Assistant

Ivory – Adult Services Director

Randall – Youth Services Director

Domaszewicz – Community Impact Director

Stahl – Kitchen Director

Legaspi – Executive Assistant

Jackson – Administrative Assistant/ Receptionist Staff Board & Staff 2 Letter from our President 3 Letter from our Board Chair 4 Judy Oakford Tribute 5 Programs at a Glance 6 Feeding Our Community 7 Meals on Wheels 8 Critters Meals on Wheels 9 Donations Make a Difference 10 Volunteer Opportunities 11 Seasonal Community Support Programs 12 Adult Education 13 Youth Services 14 RAGBRAI 2022 15 Saddle Up 2022 16 Food Fight 2023 17 Community Sponsors 18 Financial Summary 19 Our Values 20 Julie

Ericka

Patrick

Cara

Annette

Debi

Jennell

Bonar, President/CEO

OUR MISSION: To

provide a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life-stages.

Scott Strubhar, Board Chair

Letter from our Board Chair

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well. As we look ahead to Fiscal Year 2024, I look back on my opportunity to serve as Chair of the Neighborhood House Board of Directors with great pride and a humble heart. The Neighborhood House has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for thousands of individuals and families in Peoria and our surrounding communities. Our mission is to provide a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages. Through our partnerships with local and state agencies, generous donors, and countless volunteers, we have been able to continue to provide Meals on Wheels, Critters Meals on Wheels, Adult Literacy and Youth Education, and provide additional meals for children and families.

Through this comprehensive range of programs, we strive to address the diverse needs of our community. Because of the investment of time and resources into these critical programs, we have much to be proud of as we think about all we accomplished in FY2023. And, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the many individuals and organizations who have helped us along the way.

As we crawled out from the shadows of the pandemic, we were finally able to make a return to in-person fundraising events. As you know, these fundraisers are critical to our ability to maintain the programs we have become well known for. RAGRBAI, Saddle Up, and Food Fight were well attended and supported. In fact, Food Fight was a sold-out event. Be on the lookout for information for upcoming events. We’d love to have you join us.

Our leadership team, along with our staff, have been proactive in allocating dollars towards major projects that will help us continue our mission. A few highlights from last year include the completion of an outdoor space for older youth and adult learners, as well as starting up our new Digital Learning Center. In addition, our staff made the necessary adjustments to accommodate a new school calendar by offering full day programming during Fall and Spring Breaks. The team has worked incredibly hard to achieve our goals for 2023, and I’m happy to report that an Employee Satisfaction Survey indicates that they truly have a passion for what they do and look forward to continuing to serve our community for years to come.

On behalf of the Neighborhood House, I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our donors, supporters, volunteers, and those who simply cheer us on as we continue our mission. We’re incredibly proud of our 125-year history and invite you to join us in serving our community for 125 more. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

Scott Strubhar

A Lasting Legacy

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our longtime supporter, board member and fellow community advocate, Judy Oakford, has passed away.

It is impossible to put into words the full extent of Judy’s impact on the Peoria community. A true trailblazer, she shepherded our community’s volunteerism by her example and involvement in Neighborhood House and countless other local organizations. Her wide influence established roots that connect us all to ensure we are all working towards a common goal of community support.

Here at Neighborhood House, she will leave a void that could never be filled. Her tireless passion for supporting those in need cannot be matched, nor can her grace in her pursuit of resources. We will forever be grateful for her involvement and support of Neighborhood House and our community.

Judy’s family graciously allowed Neighborhood House to be the beneficiaries of her memorial contributions. The outpouring of support we have received in Judy's name has been simply incredible and speaks volumes to the number of individuals Judy impacted throughout her amazing life.

We are beyond grateful for this support and are simply in awe of how even posthumously Judy is continuing to make such a huge impact for Neighborhood House and our community.

We will honor her memory through our continued focus on mission driven community support.

A LASTING LEGACY 5 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT LEADERSHIP 4

MEALS ON WHEELS

Over 1,200 seniors were served meals

AFTER SCHOOL MEALS

Over 2,400 meals and snacks were served to kids

CRITTERS

YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAM

MEALS

Over 900 summer meals were served

PANTRY PROGRAM

Over 1,100 boxes were given away

SUNDAY MEALS

Over 1,600 hot meals provided by local churches and organizations

MEALS ON WHEELS

Over 170 pets fed

SANTA FOR SENIORS

1,000 bags of wrapped gifts were delivered

ANGEL TREE

Over 140 families were sponsored

VOLUNTEER

Had 300 volunteers donate over 1,670 hours of service

COAT DRIVE

Over 470 coats were given away

Feeding Our Community

FOOD PANTRY AND SUNDAY MEALS

Food insecurity and malnutrition is a continued issue that plagues many of the people we serve in our community. A recent study found the number of deaths by malnutrition has doubled from 2018 to 2022. (Reese, 2023) Lack of access to reliable healthy food leads to malnutrition, but so does poor eating habits.

Neighborhood House is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food and no one is going hungry. We are pleased to provide our twice-monthly Food Pantry and weekly Sunday Meal programs to support those in our community who face food insecurity and malnutrition. We see continued local community need with steady attendance in both programs.

We are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who consistently support our Food Pantry and Sunday Meal programs by volunteering every week. Their involvement makes these programs possible.

You can support these vital community programs through volunteerism and non-perishable food donations. To learn more or to support this program, please contact Noah Palm, 309-674-1131 ext. 300, noahp@nhpeoria.org.

OUTREACH 7 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT OUR IMPACT 6

Reese, Phillip (2023) “U.S. Malnutrition Deaths Have More Than Doubled”, KFF Health News, US News

Testimonial from Meals on Wheels Driver:

I deliver Meals on Wheels everyday Mon-Fri, I am retired. Meals on Wheels is about a faceto-face wellness check and supplying them with a hot nutritious meal. Many of these people have all had very difficult lives you can see it on some of their faces, but they are always appreciative of the daily hot meal, and short conversation. It gives me a lot of joy to chat with them for 5, 10 or 30 seconds, however long they want and whatever they want to talk about, and some want to chat for several minutes. have gotten to know many of them on a personal level and they have gotten to know me. Hopefully I share some positive thoughts with them and see how they are doing and feeling. They seem to appreciate those questions and genuine concern. Many of the people are elderly (but not all) sadly most it appears have either or both financial or physical challenges that they have to endure every day. It’s great in retirement to have this opportunity to help others, trying to bring a little joy into their daily lives. I’m also carrying on my parents’ tradition who delivered Meals on Wheels themselves in Ottawa Canada (where was born), for about 20 years into their 90’s. There is tons of joy in the world but unfortunately a lot of pain also. I believe the Meals on Wheels program at Neighborhood House in Peoria is a tremendous organization full of very caring people, and is trying to help close that gap a bit.

...Chris Holdham - God Bless

Nutritious Meal Delivery for Seniors

MEALS ON WHEELS

Meals on Wheels provides necessary daily nutritional support for homebound senior citizens in Peoria and Tazewell counties. However, Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal delivery service. The social contact for an isolated senior citizen is equally as important, and many of our seniors report that often the only person they see daily is our delivery driver. Our staff does an outstanding job developing relationships with our seniors to ensure they are able to spot changes in behavior and sometimes even health.

This past May we were able to open our first congregate meal site postCOVID for seniors in our program. This welcomed additional social opportunity for those seniors able to attend. One attending senior shared with staff that they hadn’t spoken to another person in over a month. We are grateful to be able to provide this additional resource to our attending seniors.

We are passionate about the well-being of homebound senior citizens, and with your support, we will continue to ensure they retain the comfort that comes with that familiar knock at the door.

Meal Delivery for Pets

CRITTER MEALS ON WHEELS

Neighborhood House delivers over 212,500 home-delivered meals annually to homebound seniors. Many seniors in the program have a pet that is extremely important to them. We understand the important role a pet serves in the mental health and life of a homebound senior who lives alone. Studies have indicated the ever-present loyalty of a pet reduces stress and physical suffering, enhances self-esteem, and, most importantly, combats loneliness and emotional isolation.

When delivering meals, we discovered our seniors were sharing their meals with their pet if they didn’t have pet food, causing the pet and the owner to not receive proper nutrition. With this in mind, we initiated the Critter Meals on Wheels program. Through this program, participants are able to eat their lunch, while we provide supplemental pet food for their animal. At the present time, we are delivering supplemental pet food to over 100 pets. With the support and donations we have received from individuals, as well as continued support from community partners, we have been able to support our seniors’ furry friends.

You can support this program through volunteerism and pet food donations. To learn more or to support this program, please contact Noah Palm, 309-674-1131 ext. 300, noahp@nhpeoria.org.

Testimonial

from Meals on Wheels Client Family:

We would like to thank all who pour their hearts into helping others. Your organization brought meals to our dad. My Mom had just passed and he went through a second heart valve surgery that proved to be so difficult in his recovery. He physically struggled for so long. Dad was a giver to his community for so many years… He loved to serve and I know he was so grateful for the work you all do. The meals you delivered in snow, rain, and sunshine were a blessing. Embrace your kind, generous hearts.

Social isolation impacts health as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

(Murthy, 2023)

Companion animals help combat social isolation.

OUTREACH 9 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT OUTREACH 8

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy (2023) “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation 2023”, The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community

Senior Citizen’s Meals

1 Month $110

6 Months $650

1 Year $1,300

Senior Citizen’s Pet Meals

1 Month $42

6 Months $250

1 Year $500

Food Pantry

1 Food Pantry Box $100

Adult Education

Monthly Lunch & Learn Sessions $100

1 Adult Learner’s GED Classes $120

Thank You for Supporting Neighborhood House

Your support is essential to our mission of providing a safe environment, resources, and education to empower our community to reach their fullest potential through all life stages. Every act of kindness helps us continue providing services through our many community support programs. Because of you, we are able to provide daily nutritious meals for local senior citizens and children. We also provide a safe after-school environment for elementary school students and have helped numerous adults through our adult education services.

Every donation, regardless of size, helps us make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Giving is easy, convenient, and secure. Your one-time gift or monthly recurring gift guarantees that our community will benefit from your generosity throughout the year. Neighborhood House offers a variety of ways to donate. We are sure we have an option that is just right for you! Please contact Cara Domaszewicz, 309-674-1131 ext. 243, carad@nhpeoria.org, to discuss giving options that work best for you.

SHOPPING TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

Did you know you can support Neighborhood House through your regular shopping at no additional cost to you?

Many corporate organizations have charitable giving that donates a percentage of your spending to the charity of your choosing at no additional cost to you. Programs like Kroger Community Rewards donate millions of dollars annually to local charities designated by their customers. As a non-profit, Neighborhood House qualifies and we would be thrilled if you would consider adding us as the beneficiary of this and other free charitable programs. Set up is quick and simple, and there is no additional cost to you. Visit the website below for step-by-step instructions.

Helping the Community through Neighborhood House

Many of our community support programs rely on volunteers and donations. This past year we had 300 volunteers donate over 1,670 hours of their time to help ensure our programs received the support they need. Thank you for making our programs possible. It is because of YOU that we are able to hold true to our mission and continue making a difference in the lives of so many right here in our community.

Neighborhood House is always interested in people who want to help their community and provides multiple opportunities through various programs at different times of the year.

Holiday Programs:

Coat Giveaway

• Santa for Seniors

•

• Angel Tree Family Sponsors

Other ways to get involved at Neighborhood House:

Scan here to support our life-changing programs.

Kroger Community Rewards

www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards

Program Amazon Wishlists

All of the Neighborhood House programs have a wish list of needed materials you can contribute. We greatly appreciate your interest in supporting our programs. Below is a link to a list of items that would help support each of our programs. If you wish to donate any of these items, they can be dropped off at Neighborhood House during regular business hours, Monday –Friday, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm. You can also anonymously support our programs by purchasing items off our Amazon Wishlists. Thank you for your support!

www.nhpeoria.org/giving/wish-lists/

Food Pantry Helpers

• Sunday Meal Servers

• Kitchen Helpers

• Yard Work & Landscaping (Spring through Fall)

• Indoor Organization Projects

•

• Adult Education Tutors

We need passionate people like you to help make our dream of a well-cared for community come true. Will you join us?

Please scan the adjacent QR code or visit our website if you are interested in helping at Neighborhood House, www.nhpeoria.org/giving/volunteer or call 309-674-1131 for more information.

Your contributions are making an impact! Follow us on social media to see the difference your volunteering and donations are making in the lives of our community.

@NeighborhoodHousePeoria

www.nhpeoria.org

Scan here to volunteer

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 11 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE 10

Seasonal Community Support Programs

ANNUAL WINTER COAT GIVEAWAY

For over 37 years, we have given away hundreds of new or gently-used winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to help prepare our community for the winter weather. This program relies exclusively on donations, and thanks to the generosity of the community, we were able to provide over 800 coats to local individuals and families. Thank you to all who donated and volunteered to make our coat giveaway possible.

SANTA FOR SENIORS

Through our continued partnership with UFS and new sponsorship from AARP of Illinois we are able to provide annual holiday gifts to over 1,000 local seniors within our community. The delivery of these gifts is done solely by volunteers and is a great volunteer opportunity for local organizations, groups and families. Thank you to all our volunteers who help ensure our seniors receive their gifts and feel cared for during the holiday season.

ANGEL TREE

Traditionally, it has been our pleasure to host our annual Toy Shop during the holiday season for families. However, as with most things, COVID dictated the need to adapt this program. We were glad to modify our outreach to an Angel Tree, which allowed us to continue to support families during the holiday season. We received incredible, positive feedback from both our Angel Tree families and family sponsors, who reported better connectivity to our participating families. We are excited to see this change create such a positive result for both participants and look forward to continuing to support families throughout the holiday season through our Angel Tree program.

To support these seasonal and holiday programs, please contact Noah Palm, 309-674-1131 ext. 300, noahp@nhpeoria.org.

Adult Education

Our adult learners are working towards their goals through our adult programming, including literacy and GED. These educational programs will also help reduce barriers for our clients seeking employment. Several of our clients are working hard to achieve their goals, and we are seeing them succeed.

We are proud to report we have had our first GED Graduate, and another has passed one of their GED tests!

We are beyond thrilled for our students’ success and are eager to support more students as they work to reach their goals, as well. Neighborhood House is happy to provide these free programs to our clients; however, we need your help to do it. Our adult education program needs volunteers to teach and tutor our students. All that is necessary is your willingness and time. We will equip you with the tools needed through our tutor training and support you every step of the way.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact, Ericka Ivory, erickai@nhpeoria.org, 309-674-1131 ext. 239.

NEW SPACES FOR LEARNING

This past year, we were selected as the recipients of the Rotary Club of Peoria grant, which enabled us to transform our outdoor space to better accommodate our adult learners and older youth. We are honored to be the recipient of the Rotary Club of Peoria grant, as well as a generous turf donation from Byrne & Jones Construction, which made this space possible. We are beyond grateful for their generosity and acts of service as Rotary Club of Peoria members came to help assemble and paint the furniture and materials for the space. Our clients are utilizing and loving this outdoor space for learning, quiet reading, and games. Thank you, Rotary Club of Peoria and Byrne & Jones Construction, for giving our clients this safe outdoor space!

Our education programs are also enjoying a new digital learning center thanks to funds provided by Community Foundation of Central Illinois and RLI Insurance. GED testing and all learning is moving increasingly digital, making it ever more important to ensure our clients are comfortable and familiar with technology. Teaching our youth how to be responsible and safe online is equally as important. Thank you, CFCI and RLI Insurance, for providing these resources to further our clients’ education.

EDUCATION 13 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT OUTREACH 12

Youth Services

AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS

For over a century, Neighborhood House has been providing resources and education to empower our community through all life stages. We are dedicated to supporting our local youth and families year-round with our After-School and Summer programs. In keeping with our tradition of adaptability, our youth programs added fall and spring break programs to accommodate new local school schedules. This change allowed us to serve more local children and families. It has been wonderful to see such good engagement from participants. Through each new and existing program, participating children receive educational support, fun activities, field trips, a nutritious meal, and a safe place to go each day. Your continued support enables us to help more children and families in this way.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact, Patrick Randall, patrickr@nhpeoria.org, 309-674-1131 ext. 244.

RAGBRAI 2022

This annual, week-long event challenges cyclists to travel a state-wide route across Iowa. Thank you to our entire Neighborhood House team for all your efforts riding, fundraising, and raising awareness for our Meals on Wheels program. You did an amazing job enduring all the challenges, weather, and "lessons learned" along the 2022 route. You not only pedaled 462 miles, but you also helped us make a BIG impact for our community and our programs by raising over $19,000!

Thank you to all who supported our riders this year! Even without pedaling, you are helping support Neighborhood House and making a difference for so many in our community. We are grateful for your support and commitment to our community.

In 2023, RAGBRAI will be celebrating 50 years of RAGBRAI with a 500-mile course, July 22 – 29, 2023. We have our largest team yet and are excited for another great year of fundraising for our programs. If you are interested in learning more or supporting our RAGBRAI team, please contact Cara Domaszewicz, 309-674-1131 ext. 243, carad@nhpeoria.org.

FUNDRAISING 15 www.nhpeoria.org Follow us on 2023 ANNUAL REPORT SUPPORTING YOUTH 14

Saddle Up 2022

Thank you to all who attended, sponsored, and supported our 6th Annual Saddle Up! Your support of Neighborhood House helped us raise over $27,000, allowing us to continue making a difference for so many individuals and families right here in our community. We hope you enjoyed the evening and the amazing music from Brushville. Congratulations to all our silent and live auction winners!

Congratulations to our 2022 Saddle Up Award winners for their outstanding support of Neighborhood House and the community we serve.

Mitchell C. Serafin Award – Teri Ehrenhardt

A.S. Oakford Award – Andy Huey

John Brock Award – Mark Joseph

FOOD FIGHT 2023

What a night! Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and participated in our 9th Annual Food Fight. We are astounded by your amazing support, helping us raise over $59,000, which will make a big impact for so many individuals and families in our community.

Special thanks to all 10 of our competing chefs for your continued support of Food Fight and Neighborhood House! Your participation made this event possible, and your donations to our auction helped us raise funds for our community programs. Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

1st Place - Golda Ewalt, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

2nd Place - James Hubbartt, Childers Eatery & Catering

3rd Place - Jon Scrivner, Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino

People's Choice - Amanda Pyle, The Cookery Inc.

We are continually amazed by our participating chefs’ talent as they create delicious dishes in just 45 minutes, utilizing the mystery bag items. This year’s mystery bag contained: chicken tenderloins, beef tips, dark chocolate, apples, pretzel rods, tahini, and 1 bottle of beer.

We are so thankful for all of your support and hope you will mark your calendar to join us again next year as we leap into our 10th Annual Food Fight, Thursday, February 29, 2024!