ANNUAL REPORT 2023 BUILDING HOPE, COMMUNITY, & CONNECTION
CONTENTS 1. Our Mission & History 2. A Message from the Board President 3. The Virtue Center’s Positive Impact 4. A Message from the Executive Director 5. Historical Timeline of Our Progress 6. Success Stories from our Clients 7. Profiles in Partnership 8. Fiscal Year 2022-23 Financial Overview 9-10. A Successful Building Campaign 11. How You Can Help
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OUR MISSION IS INFORMED BY OUR HISTORY
The terminology has evolved over time, but the essential mission of The Virtue Center remains the same: providing help and inspiring hope for people facing addiction and mental health challenges. Today, we talk about smashing the stigma of alcohol and drug addiction. When Richard Virtue founded the Norman Alcohol Information Center in 1972, he had battled his own alcoholism and worked with business, religious and civic leaders to identify and treat addiction as a disease. Such smash-the-stigma thinking was new in those days. Dick Virtue was truly a pioneer, and he continued his tireless work to build this local institution for 30 years. Today, having celebrated our 50th Anniversary, we’re energized by a fresh start in our new building, pursuing our mission every day to provide help and hope to those who need it.
BUILDING MOMENTUM
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A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT We all hear stories of people in crisis. Often, they hit painfully close to home. That’s why I’m pleased to report that help and hope are here, and here to stay. At 2457 Wilcox Drive in Norman, our new building stands as a testament to our community’s ongoing desire to help our neighbors who need it most. The life-saving work undertaken by Richard Virtue more than 50 years ago continues today. And as we move forward in our new building, The Virtue Center will be helping more people with more programs to combat addiction and improve mental health. Such a beautiful new building is a powerful symbol of positive momentum. Our people worked for decades in a dark, deteriorating old building, and today, they’re helping people in spaces designed to national standards to look and feel like an invitation to recovery and healing. So many people have contributed along the way, each for their own reasons, all with the common goal of help and hope. From temporary offices after we were able to sell our old building, we celebrated 50 years in our community last year as construction progressed at our new location. It occurred to me that a higher power was assisting us. We had three board presidents throughout the process; I’m the lucky one who is privileged to serve at this milestone in our history. Remember, this is simply a new beginning of what we intend to do for our community. We want our community to know we serve all ages, helping individuals and their loved ones to find recovery from addiction - even if it means connecting someone to another organization more tailored to their needs. In our new space, we also can now host group training sessions and offer prevention services on a larger scale. One way to help the Virtue Center is to let your friends and family know that help and hope are right here. Another way to help us is to become a financial donor. Because the need for help and hope is always here. Sincerely, Chris Moxley President, Board of Directors
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IMPACT AT A GLANCE
973 + 226 = 1 , 1 9 9
Adults received help and hope
Individuals and their families received help and hope
Adolescents received help and hope
23,639
CLIENTS SURVEYED REPORT
Clinical Services Provided
97%
MAKING POSITIVE LIFE CHANGES
92%
IMPROVED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Individual, Group, Family Therapy Education & Prevention Intensive Outpatient Treatment Assessments & Individualized Treatment Plans Peer Support & Case Management Teletherapy
ADULT DRUG OF CHOICE
Alcohol 36.3% Methamphetamine 27.5% Marijuana 15.6% Opiates 6.8%
ELIMINATION IN USE 100% OR REDUCTION
CLIENTS REFERRED BY:
48.5% self 27.1% courts 7.2% DHS
ADOLESCENT DRUG OF CHOICE
Marijuana 75%. Alcohol 16.7% Methamphetamine 2.1% Opiates 2.1%.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Our vision is that every person who is affected by addiction and mental health issues will heal and thrive. That’s why we’re excited to be in our new building in Norman, where we plan to serve more people and their families. The building is a product of our community’s longstanding commitment to helping others. We had it designed, built and furnished according to trauma-informed principles, established by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to create physical spaces that promote safety, well-being and healing. Now, our work begins anew. Over the course of more than 50 years, The Virtue Center has earned statewide distinction in the field of substance use disorder treatment. Now we will expand our service offerings to include stand-alone mental health services. This will enable us to help more people, in a more comprehensive manner. We want and need our neighbors to know what we’re doing. One way we’ll accomplish this goal is to open our new home to our community partners. Nonprofits, civic, business or educational groups will be welcome to utilize our meeting spaces. We believe it’s in everyone’s interest to increase awareness and reduce the stigma of addiction and mental health challenges. The more people who know what we do and what we can provide, the more people we can help. To that end, we will work even more closely with local schools. We can expand our prevention, early intervention and education efforts and serve more adolescents before their teenage issues become full-blown adult problems. Everyone who helped with our new building project contributed to a larger gift for our community. As stewards of this gift, we’ll be working to see that it brings help and hope to all who need it. Sincerely, Teresa Collado Executive Director
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HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF THE VIRTUE CENTER’S PROGRESS
1972 Richard Virtue, working out of his house, establishes the Norman Alcohol Information Center (NAIC). A businessman who had lost everything to his own alcoholism, Virtue found recovery in dedicating his life to helping others fighting addiction. 1973 United Way of Norman signs up as NAIC’s second public partner (St. John’s Episcopal Church being the first), answering Dick Virtue’s call for help in his mission to identify and treat alcoholism as a disease. 1975 Oklahoma Department of Mental Health makes NAIC the first outpatient treatment center in Oklahoma to receive state funding. This vital government agency remains our largest source of financial support. 1997 A former church building on Linn Street, just north of Norman’s Campus Corner neighborhood, becomes NAIC’s new home. NAIC first had an office space with a desk and phone at St. John’s and later in a small old house next to the church before moving to Linn Street. 2002 After 30 years as Founding Executive Director, Dick Virtue retires from his work at NAIC at age 80. He lives for six more years. 2017 The Virtue Center becomes NAIC’s new name. In celebration of the organization’s 45th anniversary, the board of directors votes unanimously for the change, honoring the life and work of Dick Virtue. 2020 A capital building campaign begins, with a goal to raise $4.3 million for a new building to house The Virtue Center – and enable expansion of substance abuse and mental health programs and services for the community. 2022 Construction begins at 2457 Wilcox Drive, The Virtue Center’s new home. The organization moves from its longtime home at 215 W. Linn Street into a temporary location at 2424 Springer Drive, next door to the site of the new building. 2023 Mission Accomplished! The Virtue Center is now in its new home, thanks to the support and generosity of our community. Our work is never done; after 50 years, we continue to provide comprehensive trauma-informed outpatient treatment services for substance abuse and mental health issues.
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THE HUMAN FACES OF HELP & HOPE The Virtue Center provides help & hope to hundreds of people every year, working to overcome drug & alcohol addiction as well as mental health challenges. There are many success stories which our clients are eager to share. We present a few examples here; the names are changed to protect their privacy.
The Virtue Center offers help & hope
One-on-one counseling is just a phone call away
SHE’S TURNING HER LIFE AROUND Stephanie struggled with frequent relapses, feeling exhausted to the point where attending therapy meetings at The Virtue Center felt impossible. Often, she would arrive in the parking lot just to leave again. But one day, finding the courage and support of her network, she walked into her first 12-step group meeting. All the fear, anxiety, and loneliness washed away. The Virtue Center became a safe space. “At first, I was only attending to get my court paperwork signed. But things changed; I loved that I wasn’t alone anymore.” Hours of sobriety turned into months. As she continued her recovery journey, she was able to accept assistance from The Virtue Center and other partner agencies. She found stable housing, gained the opportunity to see her son more often, and developed a brighter outlook based on help and hope.
DESPERATE FOR HELP, A TEEN GIRL FINDS IT A 15-year-old, suspended from school, was brought to The Virtue Center by her grandmother. The girl, evaluated by a therapist, was deemed suicidal. A translator was found to explain to the grandmother, who didn’t speak English, that it was vital that she take the girl to the Children’s Recovery Center, an inpatient treatment and psychiatric facility nearby. The staff at The Virtue Center secured a place for the girl at the Children’s Recovery Center making certain there was a translator there. They provided the grandmother with all the information necessary and followed up with the Children’s Recovery Center to make sure the girl arrived safely. The Virtue Center staff also informed officials at the girl’s school that she had been admitted to the Children’s Recovery Center. This story of a young life saved is a testament to the importance of a quick-thinking, well-trained therapist – and a loving grandmother.
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PROFILES IN PARTNERSHIP
UNITED WAY OF NORMAN When Dick Virtue started what would one day become The Virtue Center, one of the first things he did was enlist the support of the local United Way. That was 1973. They’ve been our partner ever since. United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Their vision is a community working together to make life better for everyone. At The Virtue Center, we’re aligned on these points. If you support the United Way, you’re helping The Virtue Center as well.
CLEVELAND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Our new building enables us to expand our presence in the community by opening our doors to more people. Example: the Cleveland County Health Department provides free health screenings each month, and we’re pleased to welcome them on such occasions. “This beautiful space will bring many services together under one roof,” said the Health Department’s Mary Bixler. “It is important to be inviting; to help people feel comfortable.”
NORMAN ROCKS Norman Rocks is a simple, if a bit unusual way, to bring our community together by sharing messages of love and kindness. These messages are painted on rocks, and they’re appearing all around Norman. Norman Rocks is the creation of Cindy Merrick, a longtime supporter and advocate for The Virtue Center. She has organized rock-painting sessions for various groups and the idea is catching on. Businesses, nonprofits, schools, parks, churches, healthcare facilities and others are distributing the rocks. The Virtue Center now has a stockpile of these rocks to offer our clients – a tangible piece of help and hope for everyone who wants one.
FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
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The Virtue Center is in strong financial condition. In fiscal year 2023 (the 12 months ended June 30) total revenues were $1.35 million, outpacing expenses of $1.32 million for net income of nearly $32,000. Total assets at June 30 were $4.8 million. Total liabilities were $258,000. Again in FY23, The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services was The Virtue Center’s largest source of funding. Other government agencies, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the state/federal Medicaid program, also were significant sources of funding for The Virtue Center’s vital work. Locally, the United Way of Norman continued a 50-year relationship supporting our programs. To grow our ability to serve our community, we have identified a need to increase our funding from individual donors, business and corporate supporters, and private philanthropic organizations. For more information, please visit: thevirtuecenter.org/donate.
CLIENT FEES 3%
OTHER 2%
DUI PROGRAMS 4% DONATIONS 6%
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS 9%
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES 51%
UNITED WAY OF NORMAN 9%
MEDICAID 16%
FY23 FINANCIAL INFORMATION FY23 Income: $1,347,975 FY23 Expenses: $1,316,369 Net Revenue: $31,606
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SPOTLIGHT ON A SUCCESSFUL BUILDING CAMPAIGN
We did it! And by we, we mean our entire community. Our home since 1997, a 1950s era building that housed our treatment services, was sold in 2020 as we embarked on a quest to raise $4.3 million for a modern, 14,000-square-foot facility designed as a therapeutic healing space that is safe and secure. We raised the funds, designed and built our new home, and now we’ve moved in at 2457 Wilcox Drive in Norman. We’re located along Interstate 35 and accessible via the Lindsey Street exit. This dramatically increases our visibility and provides easy access for our clients. The new facility will allow us to: Provide the professional, safe and welcoming environment that our clients have asked for and deserve. Treat more people and provide more comprehensive services to encourage life-long recovery. Offer an expanded Intensive Outpatient program that will allow our highest-need clients to remain home and employed while receiving life-changing treatment. Reduce any negative stigma in the way our community may view the disease of addiction and mental health challenges. This could cause more people who need help to seek it. A full list of our generous building campaign donors can be found at virtuecenter.org. Here, we shine the spotlight a few, with our profound thanks.
SPOTLIGHT ON A SUCCESSFUL BUILDING CAMPAIGN
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The Virtue Family In 1972, local businessman Richard Virtue, motivated by his personal history of alcohol addiction, ignited a grassroots effort that ultimately created The Virtue Center. He, along with a small group of community leaders, simply wanted to help people suffering from addiction.
"Celebrating the opening of the new building are Rebecca Virtue, Teresa Collado, David and Lynne Virtue"
Dick Virtue’s family, including his wife, Sue, and their four children, supported his labor of love for decades. His three living adult children all contributed to our building campaign. The ways in which they’ve sacrificed for this cause, all their lives, are known only to them. Virtue, indeed! Rotary Clubs of Norman Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million members who work actively to create lasting change for communities large and small. In Norman, our four local rotary clubs banded together in their annual fundraiser to have the proceeds, $100,000, donated to The Virtue Center building campaign. To all members and supporters of the Cross Timbers, Norman, Sooner and Legacy Rotary Clubs, we say thank you! The Mabee Foundation The trustees of the Mabee Foundation of Tulsa awarded The Virtue Center $655,000 toward construction of our new building, the largest single gift we received. But, before the Mabee Foundation would consider a request like ours, we had to demonstrate that we already had significant local support. In fact, we did. We raised 40 percent of the total project cost before submitting our application to the Mabee Foundation. This model has done untold good across the U.S., and it’s working today for us. Thank You!
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THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL DONORS
OUR CLIENTS’ ABILITY TO STRIVE AND THRIVE IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE VIRTUE CENTER’S GENEROUS SUPPORTERS. ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS, STAFF, AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THANK YOU.
“My mom and dad would be so proud! Keep going and never give up! -Rebecca Virtue, Donor & Daughter of The Virtue Center’s Founder
“I’m so happy for all of the people In Cleveland County to have a passionate organization like The Virtue Center.” -Jennifer Prince, Crossroads Youth & Family Services
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR ANNUAL SUPPORTERS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT THEVIRTUECENTER.ORG.
HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help us achieve even greater success by investing financially. Here are some ways your gift can make a difference: Annual Fund - Provide essential operating support so we can fulfill our mission. Corporate Partners - Support our programs through your business, and receive recognition. Planned Giving -Include us in your estate plans for long-lasting impact. Special Campaigns - Give to special initiatives that fund a range of programming and facility needs. In-Kind - Goods and services are as valuable and necessary as cash gifts.
It’s Easy to Give ONLINE MAIL
thevirtuecenter.org/donate
The Virtue Center
2457 Wilcox Drive Norman, OK 73069 CALL
(405) 321-0022
The Virtue Center www.thevirtuecenter.org NORMAN 2457 Wilcox Drive Norman, OK 73069 (405) 321-0022 PURCELL 310 W. Washington St. Purcell, OK 73080 (405) 527-9562 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 730 Norman, OK 73070