Pro Deo Annual Report 2023-24

Journey Together for Teen Wellness

2023-2024 Annual Report

Journey Together for Teen Wellness Building Relationships to Empower Teens in a Safe and Inclusive Environment Dear friends, As I reflect upon the past year, I am humbled and honored to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to Pro Deo Youth Center. The value you bring to the organization has been a cornerstone of our collective success.

Your selfless contributions of time, expertise and passion have helped us advance our initiative of providing free services to families right here in eastern Jackson County. This past year has been marked with milestones that have laid the foundation for a stronger and more cohesive organization.

Under the leadership of Tashari Reed, program director, Pro Deo served more teens and families in 2023-24 than ever before. In fact, 27 percent increase in number of unique teens registered.

This increase is a blessing and a burden as expenses also increased significantly. New programs were added in the spring of 2024 with the launch of a work readiness program to get teens employed in high wage jobs.

The due diligence phase of our affiliation with ReDiscover was completed in June 2024. The affiliation launched July 1, 2024, and Pro Deo became the prevention and early intervention arm of ReDiscover.

2 • Pro Deo Youth Center

While Pro Deo remains its own 501(c)3, the affiliation marks a milestone in how to sustain our services for years to come.

ReDiscover, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization, provides more outpatient behavioral health services than any other nonprofit organization in Jackson County, Missouri. In operation for 55 years, ReDiscover provides an array of treatment, community support and crisis services to more than 15,000 adults, children and families whose lives have been impacted by mental health and addiction disorders.

The capital campaign launched in November 2023 and is still going strong. Pro Deo is poised to expand programs, serve more youth, and create a model that can be duplicated in other communities. My ask is that you come along with us in our journey to build our capacity to serve even more families. If you have not pledged support for the Wesley Place, please reach out to me. I’d love to meet one on one with people who can relate to our mission and want to make a lasting impact in our community.

Pro Deo loves our community!

Dr. Elaine Metcalf Executive Director

growing our services impact by the numbers

The number of teens and families served continues to grow each year, with a 27% increase in families accessing our services during 2023-24, up from 112 in 2022-23. This is an impressive number of teens and families taking advantage of our free activities, tutoring, and counseling services.

Developing Teen Leadership Skills Student Ambassadors are responsible Pro Deo students who want to make a positive impact at Pro Deo and in their community. They represent Pro Deo at community activities and they serve as role models and friends to peers at Pro Deo. Student Ambassadors are expected to display these qualities: • • •

Responsibility Integrity Kindness

• • •

Mentorship Public speaking Leadership

As part of our capital campaign, Pro Deo invited funders from Truman Heartland Community Foundation to visit our teen center.

The ambassadors shared their stories with the visitors inspiring them to invest funds in the future Wesley Place.

143

4,793

unique teens served

hours of direct client services

27%

49% OF TEENS 54%

41%

living at or below poverty level

5%

White

Who We Serve

Black/African American

Current year aggregate data from self-reported client intake forms report the following at-risk behaviors (current or history):

Multi-Race

RACE

Asian or Pacific Islander Hispanic or Latinx

50

American Indian

40 Suicidal Thoughts

Sensory Processing

Bi-Polar

Aspurgers

Self Injury

Depression

Autisum

0

Anxiety

10

ADD/ADHD

20

PTSD

30

Mood Disorder

Did Not Disclose

47% of Pro Deo teens have self-disclosed mental health concerns According to the Afterschool Alliance, out-of-school programs provide a significant return on investment, with every $1 invested saving at least $3 by increasing youth’s earning potential, improving their performance at school, and reducing crime and juvenile delinquency.

Afterschool activities can have a positive impact on personal and social skills, including problem-solving, conflict resolution, selfcontrol, leadership, responsible decision-making, and self-esteem.

996

Removing Access Barriers

40 hours of 1-on-1

1,230 Pro Deo Check Ins

993

Rides Given

HOMEWORK HOURS

2,508

hours of Fun Friday & Summer Events

2023-2024 Annual Report • 3

How We Help with the Youth Mental Health Crisis FEEDBACK FROM 2023 PARENT/GUARDIAN SURVEY We asked parents and guardians why they are thankful for Pro Deo. Below are some of the top survey responses: Sammy really needed somewhere to go where he fit in.

Just taking the time for teens to have a good time with no pressure. They are a great source for teens like mine with depression and she is able to meet new people.

It’s a safe place for teenagers to gather.

My kids have been able to make friends with teens from other high schools in Lee’s Summit.

Through Pro Deo Arvana gets to experience different types of activities and opportunities to grow sociably.

Harry has an opportunity to relate to others his age.

volunteer impact Pro Deo’s success is in large part due to our generous volunteers and their efforts to better our community and the lives of our teens. We are so grateful to each and every one of them who helps us thrive.

134 service hours

logged by college interns

397 service hours

logged by adult volunteers

“I volunteer with Pro Deo Youth Center because I remember how difficult the teenage years can be. Pro Deo is the only organization I know of that meets teenagers where they are and offers any type of support they may need–from meals to activities to counseling to tutoring. It makes me feel good to give some level of help and support to these young people who have so much potential.”

Dave Aubuchon 2024 Amanda Wells Service Award 4 • Pro Deo Youth Center

Pro Deo launched a new website as a result of capacity building funding from the Children’s Services Fund Pro Deo Youth Center was pleased to unveil a brand new website featuring information about teen programming and support, as well as enhanced avenues to communicate information to the broader community. The website promotes and supports important initiatives like the capital campaign, events programming, resources and more.

From Curious Kid To Building Namesake: Wesley’s Impact On Pro Deo Youth Center Lee’s Summit Tribune, November 11, 2023 | By Robin Blakely Nonprofit leaders at Pro Deo Youth Center are raising $4.9 million in the next 12 months to construct The Wesley Place, a new building named for Wesley Walker, late son of Lee’s Summit residents Bob and Jane Rutherford.

Dr. Elaine Metcalf, Executive Director of Pro Deo Youth Center, said, “Wesley’s story is one of resilience and determination. The Rutherford’s decision to donate Wesley’s trust fund to Pro Deo jumpstarted our dream to build a state-of-the-art teen center. Their gift is now inspiring the community to help us build a brighter future for youth across the region.”

Visit https://tinyurl.com/4hatnd9y for full article.

Nonprofit Affiliation to Strengthen Youth Mental Wellbeing Discover and Pro Deo Youth Center have formalized their affiliation, effective July 1, 2024 to provide a stronger continuum of care for youth mental wellness in Jackson County, Missouri.

“ReDiscover has informally partnered with Pro Deo Youth Center over the last six years and this affiliation is an opportunity to strengthen our work together to meet the growing mental health needs of youth and families in our community,” said Jennifer Craig, President and CEO of ReDiscover. “At a time when the US Surgeon General has declared a youth mental health crisis, we want to be intentional about doing innovative work to support youth and families in our community.”

2023-2024 Annual Report • 5

Our Supporters 291 Nutrition & Energy Adam Rutherford Alpha Beta Eta Amanda Bush Amy Middaugh Andrea Shelby Andy & Angela Campbell Angela Lampton Turner Arbo Mediation & Consulting Arrowhead Electric Inc Ashley & Rob Nowell Barbara & Randy Stone Bob & Candy White Bobby & Christine Bushyhead Carl & Elaine Froeschle Cathy & Craig Vollmer Centric Construction Charlene Metcalf Chris Duke Clint Haynes Colin Litow Colleen & Jeff Fetz Dave & Anne Aubuchon David & Julie Fritz Dennis Haines Dessie Stafford Ed Cullumber Ed Steil Eileen Nash Emily Chapman Eric Abel Fidelity Investments First Federal Bank of Kansas City First Presbyterian Church Foxhoven Family Friedrich Family Gary Graham Grace United Methodist Women Hardesty/Macha Household Helen & Doug Hatridge Hilary Graves Hope & Art Davis Jacob Haynes Jan & Ron Carter Jan Nelson Jenni & Jake Edwards Jennifer Craig Jennifer Johnson Jennifer Muntzel Jensen Family Jeremy Wood Jodie & Thom Sabina Jody & Jeremy Springer Joe & Alicia Hyde 6 • Pro Deo Youth Center Joseph Timmons

Karen & John Schuler Karen Mitchell Karla Williams KC Communications & Media Matters Kent Ruehter Kiewit Engineering Group Inc Kim Fritchie Kimberly Metcalf Landon Gregory Memorial Scholarship Fund Laura & Kirk Doan Laurie & Mike Johnson Lee’s Summit Chamber Lisa Hibschman Lisa & Jody Williams Lydia Davis Mary Altman Mascot Junction, Inc. Melanie Adkins Michael and Cindy McMenus Mike & Ann Ditty Mike Arcuri Mike Marmo Morris/Curtiss Family Mr. and Mrs. Brokenicky Mr. and Mrs. Settle Mr. and Mrs. Stilley Nathan Morris New Covenant Community Church NextGen Wealth Paragon Star Paula & Mike Krogh Peratt Family Retirement Solutions Group Rob Binney Robert & Tricia Hile Rosalie & Robert Newkirk Sandy Morris Sara & Rody Taylor Sky Blooms Fireworks Smile Doctors Southern Bank SS&C Technologies St. Matthew Lutheran Church Stahl Family Foundation Steve & Susan Arbo Susan & John Newsam Susie & Dave Gale Susie & Dymon Wood The Horn Law Firm, P.C. Thomas Family Traci Fann Vanessa Higgins Weed Man/Turf’s Up Enterprises

Generosity Comes in Many Forms Take the people like you who buy from our Amazon Wishlist. Or groups like Advance Aesthetic Center, Beyond Wealth Advisers, Mazuma Credit Union, CBM, Inc., Lee’s Summit Christian Church, Illuminate Home Loans, and NorthPoint Foundation who give gift cards or items that directly benefit the teens, families and our organization. During 2023-24, this movement of corporate caring fueled Pro Deo to serve more and more families living in marginalized conditions.

Grants Business Contributions

Revenue $271,495

Fundraising Events Church Contributions Individual Contributions Monthly Contributions Board Contributions Third Party Fundraisers

Program Expenses Administration Fundraising

Expenses $327,080

Our supporters are the lifeline of the teens Pro Deo serves. Without people who “dig a little deeper” to come alongside us to do this important work, Pro Deo wouldn’t exist. Your generous donations make a tangible difference in the families in our community. Thanks for your kindness and generosity!

The People Who Make it Happen BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andy Campbell, Chair, Summit Ridge Academy John Beaudoin, Chair-Elect, KC Communications & Media Matters Jan Nelson, Board Secretary, retired LSR7 counselor Mikel Isaacs, Board Treasurer, Tooth & Coin Fred Lane, City of Lee’s Summit Kent Ruehter, True Environmental Andrea Shelby, KC Blues & Jazz Juke House Sara Taylor, KC Dumpster Christina Davis, Mo. Dept. of Transportation Jody Springer, Stone Amp SEO Amy Schield, Coaching/Consulting DRIVERS Dymon and Susie Wood Cliff Horton Charlotte Yates

STAFF Elaine Metcalf, Executive Director Melissa Ward, Administrative Director Vanessa Hickman, ReDiscover Community Relations Manager Tashari Reed, Program Director Kaylee Henry, Assistant Program Director Bethany Kosovich, Site Coordinator Monique Sheen, Program Assistant Tamara Scharfenkamp, ReDiscover Youth Mental Health Specialist CONTRACT STAFF Hunter Gale, Garden Specialist Arbo Consulting Hive Strong Consulting Creative Center of America Byrne & Pelofsky Associates Blume Video Marketing

TUTORS Amy Charpie Dave Aubuchon Sashi Gannavaram FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Cathy Vollmer Kelly McEntire Leslie Alford Jan Carter Cindy McMenus Traci Fann Shannon Pennington CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE Bob Glaser Haley Bowman Kris Pierson Ann Ditty Karen Schuler

2023-2024 Partners

Jett

MEDICAL INC

Lee’s Summit Sunrise Rotary Rotary Club of Lee’s Summit

2023-2024 Annual Report • 7

214 NE Chipman Rd. | Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 816.226.6806 | prodeoyouthcenter.org