2016 Annual Report

2 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPORT

RELEASE THE FEAR'S BRIDGING POSSIBILITIES FOR Inspiring & empowering kids with the tools to make better life choices.

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"Thank You For Helping Us Realize If We Face Our Fear, Our Hopes, and Most of All, That Our Dreams... Are Possible" J.B. Age 16

2016 BOARD AND ADVISORY DIRECTORS HONORARY CHAIR

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Honorable Greg Stanton

Dr. Francisco J. Alatorre - Asst. Professor Criminal

Mayor, City of Phoenix

Justice, New Mexico State University

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Susan Kotnik – Chair V.P. Avnet

Scott Tate – Co-Chair Triton Technology

Sara Greenwold – Secretary Southwest Wine and Spirits

Jeff Quincey – Treasurer Peoples’ Mortgage

Don Dolin Arizona Department of Education

Joan Howell Retired, Elementary Education

Dan Gerelick Avnet

Rachel Frazier Johnson, Esq. Rachel Frazier Johnson Law

Angela Lowry Pure Insurance

Nicholes A. Ashjian, Esq Charles F. Myers Law

Jolea Kid Avnet

NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Dino De Concini David Gonzales, US Marshal Nancy Hendrich Rev. Rebecca McClain Kellianne P. Miley, M.Ed. Joni Sledge

Rich Bauer Kirk Baxter Miguel Berstegui Steve Church - former President, Avnet Gina Clark – special Education, Creighton School District Heidi Fogelsong Terry Goddard – former Attorney General, State of Arizona Hon. Phil Gordon – former Mayor, City of Phoenix Paul A. Gosar – Office of US Congressman Billie Jo Herberger David Howell Scott Jacobson Paul Johnson JoEllen Lynn Hank Marshall Kathy Munson Bridget Pettis - WNBA Dr. Derrick Platt –Deputy Juvenile Court Administrator RJ Shannon Tom Simplot - former Council Member, City of Phoenix Brenda Sperduti Meredithe Stefanowitz, M.Ed Kim Sterling-Heflin.

Thelda Williams – Council Member, City of Phoenix Gerald Richard, III Daniel Valenzuela – City of Phoenix EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Robert J. Miley, CEO/Founder KEY STAFF Michelle Aldridge, Internal Coordinator Sara Davirro, Program Coordinator

Release the Fear, Inc.™

PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 - info@releasethefear.org - 602-818 6959

Wow! In 2016, Release the Fear turned twenty-one years old. It’s amazing how time flies. We have accomplished so much, seen so many positive outcomes with disadvantaged and at-risk youth and adults throughout Arizona and beyond. Over these past two decades, our programs have helped thousands of youth to become more empowered to combat social pressures and to make better life choices. Thanks to your help, in the last two years alone we were able to double our numbers served. Our evidence-based curriculum draws on art, music and communication to teach problem-solving skills and conflict resolution while fostering self-worth and a positive way of thinking.

We believe there is no such thing as a bad kid—they just have not found their gifts yet. We are helping them do that. And results of our program are promising. A recent three-year longitudinal study, conducted by the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, of 928 youth participating in a Release the Fear workshop, showed an 11 percent reduction in recidivism. Currently, in Maricopa County there are more than 100,000 youth who do not work or attend school. Through Release the Fear and the efforts of our highly trained facilitators, we continue to provide the inspirational workshops to youth and young adults in schools, juvenile detention facilities and jails, and we hope to help these youth find hope and a sense of purpose to achieve a brighter future.

Here are a few of the gifts that have come our way in the last few years:    

Designated a Character Education provider by the Arizona Department of Education 2016 Governor’s Arts Award recipient for Arts and Education Drawn the attention of the White House and the National Endowment for the Arts And being asked to be photographed with the Phoenix Suns NBA team!

People ask me, why do you do this? The answer is clear. It is when you see a frown turned upside down—when you see participants come into workshop, arms crossed, blank looks on their faces, and then, that moment of transformation—a sense of accomplishment, a glimmer of hope, and a beginning to see that they matter. And we are fortunate to see it time and time again.

I recall one attendee who was reluctant to speak, let alone share. She attended two or three workshops and slowly began to open up. Nearly a year later, I saw her again. She had turned her life around, and she had summoned the courage to share her story in front of an audience of eight hundred people. She described her journey, ending with her new path—she was studying to become a biophysicist. She told me how much Release the Fear had meant to her, and she wrote a letter thanking us: I never thought that I’d come this far. I always thought that I’d be forever stuck in a downward spiral, trying to commit suicide, and being a brick wall. I finally came to Florence Crittenton, where I was helped by the Release the Fear program which showed me that I am much more than an individual. I am someone—I am great, powerful, loved, amazing, worthy, and a leader.

This is one example of the kinds of gifts we receive on a weekly basis. You cannot put a price tag on these kinds of gifts. We have received tremendous recognition in the past twenty-one years, and the stories of change—told by those we help—are the ones our team and I are most proud. We’ve only just begun. On to the next twenty-one!

Thank you all for believing,

Robert J. Miley, CEO/ Founder

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O

ur supporters having been leaving their mark on the future of our community and the world

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2016 DONORS Guardian Angels $10k - $100k Arizona Department of Education

Margaret T. Morris Foundation

AVNET

Maricopa County Attorney General's Office

Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation

National Endowment Association

Herberger Foundation

Pendergast Elementary School District

JW Kieckhefer Foundation

Rob and Melani Walton Foundation

Littleton Elementary School Dist. #65

Michael and Cindy Watts

Champions $5k - $9,999

Believers $1k - $4,999

Genesis Academy

Executive Council Charities

Murphy Elementary #21

Ira and Cheryl Hintzen Gains

Privilege Underwriters, Inc.

Sara Greenwold

Wells Fargo Foundation

David Howell John F. Long Foundation Streetlight USA

Enablers $500 - $999 American Endowment Foundation

Charles J. and Kathleen Munson

Heather Benson

Cookie Serrano and Jane Hill

Brian Bogert

Kathleen Serrano

Wendy Drew

Alicia and Roger Shiel

Daniel Gerelick

William Soroka

Roxanne S Hamilton

Stateside Presents, Inc.

Jacqueline and Neil Harris

Jared and Michelle Van Arsdale

Sue Kotnik

Dr. Delwyn and Diana Worthington

Robert J. Miley and Fran DuAime Friends $50 - $499 AmazonSmile Foundation

Faith Knight

Eva P. Ayala

Marcus Kobrin

Richard Bestwick

Tracey Kramer

Lori Brugggeman

Dorothy Kret

Matt Cardenas and Noelle Plillips

Kroger - Fry's Food Stores

Mary Lou Carpenter

Arthur and Sue Matori

Barbara Cates

Cionne McCarthy

Donna Cavedon

Candyce McCaslin

Steven Church

Russell and Dayna Murdaugh

Sue Davis

Richard and Dana Naimark

Rebecca Even

Mayon and Nichole Neal, Jr.

Jack Fields III

Brian Nelson

Patricia Fisher

David Ochsner

LaBelle B. Forstrom

Jean Pahlke

Gold Group, LLC

Michael Patterson

W. Shane Guilliams and Charles L Miller

Mary Ann and Calvin Rezznico

Rex and Beverly A. Gulbranson

Megan Ryan

Jill A. Hamilton and Debbie Swanson

Nolan Ryan

Mary Howlier

Jennifer Lind Schutsky

Rachel M. Johnson

Curtis J. and Sharon Stetter

Cathy Jones

Susan Svitak

Clifford Jones and Susan Serrano

Dr. Patricia Thorpe

Dr. Joan Kelchner and Jim Trocki

Trinity Cathedral

Terri Kellen

Kerry Vonda

Bobbi Kiese

ADJC/RTF PARTICIPANT RECIDIVISM RATE COMPARISON

An average of 450-500 Arizona youth per year have found themselves in secure care or behind the fence at Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC).

A three year longitudinal study was conducted between 2012 and 2015 with 928 youth who participated in the Release the Fear program.

The above graph displays the ADJC recidivism average from 2011-2013; The percentages reflected show the difference between those who have attended an RTF-Bridging Possibilities Workshop either in secure care or while on parole within the community, and those who have not.

Youth Inspired – Ten Year Study

For ten years, Release the Fear has had the opportunity to interact with over 9,500 underserved and disadvantaged youth; these youth now know they have a life purpose. They know their wishes and dreams can come true. They know they are worth it and that they matter!

Our evidence-based curriculum has helped troubled kids in schools, jails, detention, and treatment centers. Through the creative processes of art, music, and communication, we teach kids cognitive behavioral skills to build self-esteem. They learn tools to help them succeed in school, with conflict resolution, and to address peer pressure, and bullying.

Between the years 2007 and 2016, Release the RTF-Aggregate % Increase 2007-2016

Fear’s surveys have shown a constant improvement in participant’s pre workshop survey vs. post workshop perceptions of themselves.

In addition, during the years of 2012 to 2016, Release the Fear has contributed to an overall improvement of youth’s self-reported willingness to assist another if bullied. Despite a decline of reported leaning’s about proactive options to prevent being bullied, their consistently remained over 78 percent.

Demographics by Year

2016 Workshop Participants and Survey Results 1975 Students participated in 101 Bridging Possibilities Workshops & 3 Discover U Afterschool/Summer Camps Demographic Breakdown: Male = 53.37% Female = 46.63% Ages 9-49 2016 Pre/Post Survey Results:  93.79% discovered something new about themselves  91.83% discovered something new about classmates and friends  65.85% Per compared to 89.06% Post realized that they are not alone in their fears

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88.49% Pre compared to 98.23% realized that they can make their dreams a reality 92.22% learned something to help them deal with bullying 84.57% stated they would do something if they saw someone being bullied

Partner Schools and Facilities Arizona Call-A-Teen Youth Resources (ACYR) Adobe Mountain Juvenile Facility Amberlea Elementary School Canyon Breeze Elementary School Canyon State Academy Career Success High School Children’s First Academy Copper King Elementary School Desert Horizon Elementary School Desert Mirage Elementary School Durango Juvenile Detention Facility Estrella Vista Elementary School Florence Crittenton Girls Ranch Franklin Police & Fire High School Garden Lakes Elementary School Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith & Family Hamilton Elementary School Kennilworth Elementary School Kuban Elementary School Littleton Elementary School Pendergast Elementary School Phoenix Collegiate Academy Quentin Elementary School Rio Vista Elementary School Southeast Facility Juvenile Detention Center (SEF) Sequoia School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Sonoran Sky Elementary School Southwest Leadership Academy Streetlight USA Sullivan Elementary School Sun Valley School Sunset Ridge Elementary School Terros Community Workshop Terros Cope Coalition U-Turn Foundation Villa De Paz Westwind Elementary School

3 workshops 17 workshops 1 workshop 1 workshop 2 workshops 1 workshop 6 workshops 1 workshop 2 workshops 2 workshops 2 workshops 3 workshops 4 workshops 1 workshop 1 workshop 1 workshop 6 workshops 6 workshops 5 workshops 4 workshops 1 workshop 2 workshops 5 workshops 1 workshop 1 workshop 3 workshops 1 workshop 1 workshop 3 workshops 6 workshops 1 workshop 1 workshop 1 workshop 1 workshop 1 workshop 1 workshop 1 workshop

62 participants 255 participants 9 participants 20 participants 30 participants 10 participants 93 participants 12 participants 36 participants 37 participants 30 participants 51 participants 80 participants 18 participants 7 participants 36 participants 131 participants 163 participants 109 participants 74 participants 11 participants 55 participants 114 participants 5 participants 16 participants 45 participants 6 participants 24 participants 34 participants 133 participants 11 participants 15 participants 38 participants 38 participants 23 participants 14 participants 12 participants

2016 Discover U Summer Camp June - July 2016 RTF Pre/Post Survey Results

OVERALL PERCENTAGES 66 Students (3 Summer Camps) Male 29% Female 71% – Youth Ages 9-21 88% discovered something new about themselves Pre 60.3% compared to Post 82.7% realized that they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 89.3% compared to Post 97% realized that they can make their dreams a reality.

91.7% learned something to help them deal with bullying.

89% stated that they would do something if they saw someone being bullied.

Pre 34% compared to Post 57% feel that they can Relax and Breathe All the Time.

Pre 43% compared to Post 61% think making healthy food choices helps them achieve dreams.

Pre 86.3% compared to Post 93.3% think about Nutrition and think it can help them feel good.

Pre 77.3% compared to Post 92.3% like how they feel after exercise.

Florence Crittenton – 32 Students Genesis Academy – 10 Students Pendergast – 23 Students

Genesis City Academy 10 Students participated in 1 Summer Camp with the following demographic breakdown: Male = 60%, Female = 40%, Ages 14-21 Pre/Post Survey Results     

100% discovered something new about themselves Pre 70% compared to Post 100% realized they are not alone in their fears Pre 90% compared to Post 100% realized they can make their dreams a reality 100% learned something to help them deal with bullying 80% stated they would do something if they saw someone being bullied

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Pre 40% compared to Post 60% feel they can Relax and Breathe All the Time Pre 52% compared to Post 74% think making healthy food choices helps them achieve dreams Pre 80% compared to Post 100% think about Nutrition and think it can help them feel good.

Pre 80% compared to Post 100% like how they feel after exercise

Florence Crittenton Girls Ranch 32 Students participated in 1 Summer Camp with the following demographic breakdown: Male 0%, Female 100%, Ages 12-17 Pre/Post Survey Results     

65% discovered something new about themselves Pre 50% compared to Post 65% realized they are not alone in their fears.

Pre 82% compared to Post 95% realized they can make their dreams a reality.

75% learned something to help them deal with bullying 95% stated they would do something if they saw someone being bullied

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Pre 18% compared to Post 50% feel they can Relax and Breathe All the Time.

Pre 25% compared to Post 35% think making healthy food choices helps them achieve dreams Pre 79% compared to Post 80% think about Nutrition and think it can help them feel good.

Pre 64% compared to Post 90% like how they feel after exercise.

Pendergast Elementary School 23 Students participated in 1 Summer Camp with the following demographic breakdown: Male = 48%, Female = 52%, Ages 9-13 Pre/Post Survey Results     

96% discovered something new about themselves Pre 61% compared to Post 83% realized they are not alone in their fears Pre 96% compared to Post 96% realized they can make their dreams a reality 100% learned something to help them deal with bullying 92% stated they would do something if they saw someone being bullied

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Pre 44% compared to Post 61% feel that they can Relax and Breathe All the Time Pre 52% compared to Post 74% think making healthy food choices helps them achieve dreams Pre 100% compared to Post 100% think about Nutrition and think it can help them feel good Pre 88% compared to Post 88% like how they feel after exercise

Inspiring and empowering thousands of youth with the tools to make better life choices

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2010 – 2020 ACTUALS AND PROJECTIONS

*Growth rate projetions are base on prior years’ actual growth

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Inspiring and empowering thousands of youth with the tools to make better life choices

"It is amazes me how each one of the individual canvases created by people of different backgrounds, different eccentricities. Yet we all were able to come together as one."

M.C. Age 16

2015 - 2016 ASSETS & LIABILITIES COMPARISON

ASSETS Current Assets Total Checking/Savings Total Current Assets Fixed Assets Leasehold Improvements Office Equipment Total Fixed Assets TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES & EQUITY Liabilities Credit Cards Wells Fargo Credit Card New Total Credit Cards Other Current Liabilities Federal Withholding FICA-Employee FICA-Employer Medicare-Employee Medicare-Employer State Withholding Total Other Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Total Liabilities

Dec 31, 16

Dec 31, 15

$ Change

353,848.11 353,848.11

222,661.68 222,661.68

131,186.43 131,186.43

8,453.46 1,394.83 9,848.29 $ 363,696.40

8,453.46 1,394.83 9,848.29 $ 232,509.97

$ 131,186.43

1,065.20 1,065.20

1,497.71 1,497.71

(432.51) (432.51)

186.00 506.77 506.77 118.52 118.52 111.25 1,547.83 2,613.03 2,613.03

1,497.71 1,497.71

186.00 506.77 506.77 118.52 118.52 111.25 1,547.83 1,115.32 1,115.32

$

Equity Restricted Funds Construction - Office Remodel Non-liquid Assets Program Total Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds YTD Net Income Allocation Net Income

$ $ $ $

Total Equity TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY

$ 361,083.37 $ 363,696.40

263.84 9,848.29 233,640.98 243,753.11 117,330.26 (130,071.11) 130,071.11

$

$ $ $ $

263.84 9,848.29 131,388.60 141,500.73 89,511.53 (90,994.66) 90,994.66

$ 231,012.26 $ 232,509.97

$

$ $ $ $

102,252.38 102,252.38 (39,076.45) 39,076.45 39,076.45

$ 130,071.11 $ 131,186.43

2016 – 2017 BUDGET COMPARISONS

2016 - 2017 BUDGETS CONTRIBUTIONS In-Kind Contributions Internships Facility Support Staff ADJS Rent Accounting Web Master Other Professional Services In-Kind Contribution Total EXPENSES Automobile Expense Contract Labor Dues and Subscriptions Fund Raising Expenses Licenses and Permits Marketing Miscellaneous Office Supplies Postage and Delivery Rent Telephone & Internet Wages Insurance Liability Insurance Insurance - Other Bank/Interest Expenses Credit Card Fees Bank Service Charges Finance Charge Professional Fees Accounting Payroll Expenses Donor Tracking/Engagement System Grant Writing Website Development Website Hosting Quarterly Website Updates Building Expenses Building Repairs Building Maintnance Travel & Entertainment Meals Travel & Parking Workshop Expenses Workshop-Contract Labor Workshop-Facilitator Workshop-Supplies/Materials Total Expense Net Income

2016 ACTUALS $319,597.98

2017 PROJECTED $399,498.00

8,790.00 21,508.00 14,400.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 18,000.00 $65,098.00

$44,698.00

2,380.77 505.00 191.51 8,780.28 177.00 12,117.73 20.27 2,061.48 1,383.56 600.00 945.59 18,588.75

2,856.00 632.00 240.00 11,000.00 222.00 15,160.00 45.00 2,600.00 1,730.00 750.00 1,500.00 42,030.00

1,556.00 5,284.28

1,634.00 5,548.00

244.83 30.00 54.82

306.00 36.00 70.00

4,762.50 1,422.04

4,722.00 3,084.00 3,000.00 7,200.00 1,200.00 275.00 1,600.00

4,234.00 700.00 228.60

8,790.00 21,508.00 14,400.00

182.47

229.00 600.00

1,032.00 1,888.24

1,290.00 2,060.00

40,970.29 69,652.00 9,532.86 $189,526.87 $130,071.11

51,213.00 87,065.00 11,915.00 $261,812.00 $137,686.00

We learned something new, You have to go through a few hoops to achieve your Dreams.

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Release the Fear, Inc.â„¢ PO Box 3815 Phoenix, AZ 85030 - www.releasethefear.org - info@releasethefear.org - 602-818 6959