Annual Report 2014

2014 Annual Report

Building better lives, brighter futures.

Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc. Serving Montana, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming

Our mission

We create solutions that change lives.

Our Kids Connect social skills group teamed up with Missoula Parks and Recreation last summer for a fun day at the challenge ropes course.

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To our

friends and partners

This year has been one of success mixed with disappointments.

Ultimately, we ended the year directly serving nearly 21,000 children and adults with disabilities and disadvantages, helping them toward better lives and greater independence. Organization-wide we finished 2014 with 59 service sites and 39 programs. The range and diversity of our programs continues to be a key strength for us in today’s fluctuating economic and regulatory landscape.

Perhaps the biggest success of 2014 was the completion of our Great Falls Building Campaign. The outpouring of support during this three-year project has been truly amazing and we exceeded the $6 million fundraising goal! Adults with disabilities and disadvantages in north central Montana now have the opportunity for a much brighter future, with access to state-of-the-art quality facilities and programs that can support their personal goals for independence.

On a somber note, our Idaho Children’s Case Management contract was terminated at the end of August, due to internal operational changes within Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare. Many of the families we served have expressed to us their shock and disappointment at this sudden turn of events. The loss of 800 families and 19 talented and committed staff members was painful for everyone in our organization.

An unusually snowy and prolonged winter resulted in lower than projected sales and donations at our Goodwill retail stores. Yet, retail continues to represent nearly 50 percent of our revenue, helping to balance the decline in government funding streams. We completed a major expansion of our Billings, Montana store this year and relocated the Great Falls store to a brand new, much larger location. Despite the slow winter months in early 2014, Goodwill stores ended the year with revenue and net income ahead of 2013 and the stores are well-positioned for a successful 2015.

We continue to deal with increasing operational costs and ongoing reductions in state and federal funding. Complex regulations and reimbursement procedures for Medicare programs require increased accounting and quality assurance staff. In addition, the redesign of

President and CEO Michelle Belknap

state waiver programs for individuals with developmental disabilities impacts the amount and type of services we are paid to provide and more support is needed to fill the gaps.

On the plus side, with increased income from our growing retail operations, and the fact that we remain free of debt, I feel confident in our continued ability to help more people with disabilities and disadvantages in our region to build better lives and experience a brighter future.

Warm regards,

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Impacting independence Adult Day participants enjoy a big, bright space in our remodeled location, with lots of room for activities, exercise and socializing.

Three years ago our services in Great Falls, Montana were spread across seven different locations. The aging buildings we occupied were limiting our ability to provide the best possible environment and program facilities for the people in north central Montana who desperately needed them.

We approached our partners and the community with a dream: turn the existing buildings into combined, stateof-the-art facilities where individuals could enjoy quality programs in a bright, cheery atmosphere, with equipment suited to their varied and special needs.

In late fall of 2014, the final phase of our dream became a reality. We completed the extensive, year-long remodeling of our former headquarters location at 4400 Central Avenue. Participants in our Adult Day, Life Skills, OutSources Unlimited and Career Designs programs now have access to modern, appropriate surroundings and a wider range of program choices all located under one roof.

Thank you to each and every one of the hundreds of generous individuals, businesses and staff members who joined in our vision and made it happen!

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Touching lives Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc. provides a diverse range of programs across the states of Montana, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. From our beginning in 1946, we have grown into a strong, Our goal is to ensure everyone financially stable human can realize their full potential. services organization.

We work through five core service areas to help people with disabilities and disadvantages build better lives and brighter futures.

In 2014 we touched the lives of nearly 37,000 people, from seniors and welfare recipients seeking job skills and employment, to children and adults with disabilities looking for help to grow, learn and live more independently. Our goal for the future is to ensure that everyone we serve can realize their potential and fulfill their dreams.

Our year in numbers: 20,970 people achieved greater independence through 39 programs across our four states 13,312 people turned to our workforce development programs to learn jobs skills 178,611 hours of assistance with medical needs and daily living tasks enabled 808 older adults to continue living independently at home 11,041 intensive therapy visits enabled 710 children with autism and other disabilities to learn, grow and participate more fully in life at home and at school 1,398 people were employed by Easter Seals-Goodwill in 2014 $29.5 million in salaries and benefits went back into the communities we served

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Reviving health and hope for Mikey

38 year-old Michael (Mikey as he is lovingly referred to) has faced many serious challenges since birth, including Hirschsprung disease, a seizure disorder and profound developmental disabilities. In the summer of 2014, Mikey came to Easter Seals Wyoming in an emergency placement, after issues of declining health and physical and emotional distress were voiced at his former provider.

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We immediately went to work to improve Mikey’s health and bring back his smile.

Mikey moved into his own room at our Snowy River home and began attending Easter Seals Community Support programs during the day. When Mikey arrived he weighed less than 85 pounds, was shy, withdrawn and slept often. His physical weakness kept him from interacting in many program activities and community outings.

After a few weeks in his new home supported by our staff, Mikey began to blossom. His appetite increased. He delighted in the variety of meals he was provided, and he started gaining weight. He is currently in the mid 90s, a weight he has not been at in years! In addition to weight gain, staff has trained and worked diligently to help Mikey improve his overall health and minimize complications related to some of his more complex medical needs. These days Mikey enjoys trips to the

ice cream store, music therapy, and These days, instead of sleeping in his room withdrawn from others, Mikey car rides around town. enjoys trips to the ice cream store, music therapy and car rides around town looking at the beautiful sights in Sheridan. When at our center, it’s common to see Mikey surrounded by his many new friends as he participates in exercise or plays on the guitar his aunt gave him.

On a recent visit, a Wyoming Department of Health supervisor, who has known Mikey for several years, remarked that he was “…overjoyed to see Mikey’s improvement.” He told our staff that he used to lie awake at night worrying about Mikey and that he couldn’t be more thrilled to see him thriving.

Mikey‘s mom has been particularly grateful for the changes she’s seen in the few short months since he joined Easter Seals Wyoming.

“I feel like I have my son back. I am only saddened that he did not come here sooner.”

Mikey is no longer weak and withdrawn and loves to join in program activities and community outings.

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Empowering achievement for Laura and Brent

Brent and Laura share a special respect and understanding for the people they serve every day in our Working Solutions program in Idaho. Both have walked in the shoes of the men and women who come through the doors. They look into the faces across the desk and see pieces of their own stories. Laura and Brent offer a special brand of hope to participants, proof of what’s possible when you learn to believe in yourself.

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Laura is a regional program manager for our Working Solutions program in Idaho. Over the past eleven years she has worked her way from office receptionist to a vital member of our leadership team.

The first time Laura came through the door, however, it was with reluctance and a sense of fear and desperation. A single mother of two young boys, she had just escaped from an intensely abusive eight-year marriage. “I left everything behind: my home, my car, any form It felt so good to be recognized of financial support, my self-worth, and my for my accomplishments. hope for a normal future,” Laura said.

At Working Solutions Laura found people who helped her create stability in her life. “The staff reminded me how good it felt to look beyond my circumstances and dream about a future,” Laura said. “They helped me set up a plan with steps and goals that inspired me,” she added. Her case manager helped Laura see how her skills and strengths were valuable.

When a Working Solutions front desk position opened up, Laura’s case manager encouraged her to apply. ”I jumped on the chance while keeping my fingers crossed that they would see what my case manager had seen in me, and what I was beginning to see in myself again,” Laura said.

More than a decade later, Laura has assisted many participants to realize their potential and celebrate their successes. “I am very grateful for every chance to serve our customers and am honored to be able to share with them what was shared with me in my greatest time of need….HOPE.”

Laura

Brent has worked as an employment and retention specialist at Working Solutions in Nampa for the past six years. His journey to Working Solutions began in 2003 when his spouse underwent extensive back surgery due to a degenerative disease and became unable to work. Brent became the sole provider, as well as a full-time caregiver. Trying to do both took an emotional and financial toll. Two years later they were forced to sell their home to avoid bankruptcy.

“This was devastating to me as I always had been able to take care of us, and now with his disability, I was unsure what the future held,” said Brent. After loading up their belongings and driving off with no idea where they would go, Brent and his spouse found their way to Nampa, Idaho.

After trying unsuccessfully for months to find work, Brent admits his selfesteem and self-worth were pretty much non-existent. It was when he went to apply for food stamps—a new low point for Brent—that he was referred to Working Solutions. “My self-respect fell even lower. I was scared and ashamed that I had to This was the miracle I so attend a program to make sure I was doing everything needed to happen.

I could to become self-reliant,” said Brent.

Brent

Shortly after coming to Working Solutions, Brent realized his referral to the program was the miracle he needed to restore his self-confidence and get his life back on track. Working closely with his case manager, Brent was able to find employment with a workforce services provider similar to Working Solutions. Brent said, “I worked there for a few years and then, when Working Solutions became the statewide provider of workforce services, I found myself employed with the organization that had changed my life.”

Looking back, Brent says that applying for food stamps and coming to Working Solutions was the best thing that ever happened to him. “Working Solutions gave me back my self-respect, the ability to take care of my family and the best job that I have ever had. It is beyond my privilege to provide our customers now with the same services that were a gift to me when I needed them most.”

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Creating opportunity for Ana

Ana’s family left Mexico when she was just five years old after someone attempted to kidnap her. “My mom was ready to leave—to go anywhere to keep me safe,” said Ana. They came to Salt Lake City, where Ana graduated from high school last year.

For many young adults like Ana, Goodwill is their first job after graduation.

“I applied for this job because a friend works here and I thought it’d be a good fit for me,” saying that she likes the fast pace and variety at in her job in the Millcreek Goodwill store. As a cashier, Ana has become more outgoing and confident. Being bilingual, she often sees the sense of relief on customers’ faces when she can speak with them in Spanish or English.

Ana has become more outgoing and confident.

Ana’s job is more than just spending money for a teenager. Right now, Ana is the sole provider for her mother and 11-year-old sister until her mother’s medical needs are met and she can return to work. “She is incredibly responsible and dedicated,” says Jose, the Millcreek store manager.

Ana is passionate about Easter Seals-Goodwill’s mission to change lives. “I really like it when I see someone who may be struggling to afford clothes and I see that Goodwill can help them.” Her experience working at Goodwill has affected her career aspirations. “Goodwill has shown me that I want to help others as a career and as a volunteer,” she said.

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Growing Goodwill

Our newest Goodwill location in Great Falls, Montana, opened October 9, 2014 to a long line of excited customers.

Our Goodwill stores continued to provide a high quality low-cost shopping option for customers in Montana, southern Idaho and Utah this year, while generating nearly 50% of the organization’s revenue.

More than 1.4 million shoppers made a purchase at our Goodwill stores in 2014. While taking advantage of great bargains and one-of-a-kind items, they helped us reach over $24.6 million in sales.

The Billings, Montana store underwent a major expansion and remodeling project in 2014. The store now boasts 17,000 square feet on the sales floor and a processing plant large enough to accommodate the increasing production and donation demands in this location. As part of the expansion we added a two-lane drive-thru donation center which increased our ability to efficiently handle the customer traffic at this location.

The largest project this year was the construction and move to a new 25,000 square-foot location in Great Falls, Montana. The new store allowed us to consolidate our processing plant and retail store into one location, greatly increasing efficiency and nearly doubling the size of the sales floor. Over 3,848 excited shoppers came out to show their support during the October Grand Re-Opening event. Opening day sales were the second highest in our history, behind last year’s re-opening at the new Missoula store.

With state and federal funding decreasing each year, the organization depends more and more on increased Goodwill revenue to help fill the growing gaps, make services accessible to more of the people who need them and help with program operating costs. In the coming year, we hope to open an additional store in Utah and will continue to search for the right real estate opportunities in our other markets.

Goodwill’s impact in 2014 2,683 people received job training and work experience

6.9 million pounds of goods recycled and kept from landfills

15.6 million pounds of donations received

1.4 million customers shopped in our stores

$169,826 contributed by customers who rounded up their purchases

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Building bridges for Hailey

After several months of PLAY Project therapy, designed to help children with autism improve communication and relational skills, Hailey (in pink) had her first ever playdate. It was a huge success!

When Tricia and her daughter, Hailey, began PLAY Project therapy with our autism specialist Kelly Melius, Hailey would only play next to Tricia, never really interacting with her. Hailey, who has autism, also didn’t interact with other children and had never been on a play date. After several months of progress, Kelly and Tricia felt it was time to test the waters to see how Hailey would engage with a playmate.

One afternoon Kelly brought her own daughter, Emma, to play with Hailey and the two girls played for hours, laughing and giggling. They shared a snack and even built a fort. According to Tricia, the whole time, Hailey’s face was lit up with a smile. Hailey took turns like she had known how to do it all along. She shared without fuss and even talked to Emma. Tricia said, “I was in awe. It was like watching two normal girls play like good friends.”

I had never seen Hailey so aware and so giggly.

“What stuck with me the most, and something I will cherish forever, was the message Kelly texted me shortly after they left,” said Tricia. It read: As we were driving away Emma says WOW, that Hailey sure is a neat kid! “Tears welled up in my eyes,” Tricia added, realizing that Emma had had just as much fun with Hailey as Hailey did with her. “I had been waiting for years to see that happen…all the hard work, determination and love that we shared with Hailey showed itself to the world that afternoon.”

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2014-2015

Board of Directors Cara Piccono - Board Chair Terry Hayden - 1st Vice Chair/Treasurer Scott Knutson - 2nd Vice Chair Michelle Belknap - President & CEO Dawn Mellinger - Secretary Robert Butcher Wayne Davis Pam Guschausky David Koga Russ Plath Pat Rice

Easter Seals-Goodwill clinical services help people stay as independent as possible and continue living at home.

Tausha Stoll Scott Wilson

2014 Financials Easter Seals-Goodwill is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the state of Montana, where our headquarters is located. We use our resources efficiently to serve participants in 39 different programs across Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. And, with 59 service sites and over 1,300 employees, our organization contributes significantly to local economies throughout the four-state region.

Goodwill Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,634,473 Our communities gave

Program Service Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,073,554 to Easter Seals-Goodwill

Government Contracts and Service Fees . . . . . . . $15,942,585 Public Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,262,784 Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,222,818 Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,136,214

Dollars Spent on Direct Program Services . . . . . . $50,155,254 Easter Seals-Goodwill

Education and Support Programs . . . . . . . . . . . $1,248,871 gave back to our

communities Service Purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $233,388

General and Management Expenses . . . . . . . . . $4,061,751 Fundraising Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $331,989 Program Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,104,961 Total Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,136,214

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Our

partners

Following is a list of contributors who made a financial or in-kind gift of $250 or more in support of Easter Seals-Goodwill between January 1 and December 31, 2014.

Ada/Elmore Employee Community Fund Danni Altenburg Anonymous Nancy Apple Jason and Shandi Asher Autism Council of Utah Dawn and Scott Banderob Michelle and Jim Belknap Judith Bennett Scott and Kitty Bergan Tim and Jennifer Bleymaier Diane Bodnar Wendy and Paul Boulter Charlie and Christie Briggs Rhonda Burrell Bob and Barb Butcher

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Marty and Brenda Byrnes Central Plumbing & Heating Chuck and Sally Cerny Connie Cleveland Bill and Christeen Collins William and Gloria Collins ConocoPhillips Contract Flooring CTA Architects Engineers Andrew and Wendy Davidson Ian and Nancy Davidson Wayne Davis Deer Lodge Woman’s Club Tamara Dimke Susan and Rick Dorr Greg and Jan Dundas Margaret Durham

Patti Engebretsen ESA Foundation Destry and Adrian Eskew Chelle Feist Mike and Kristi Fischer Mary Floyd Jim and Tracy Ganatos Trina Garza Laurel Gebo Pam Guschausky Guy Tabacco Construction Lori Hagen The Buggy Bath Car Wash #1 Terry and Teresa Hayden Herberger’s Jay Hettinger Larry and Nancy Hoffman

Abbey Hood Theresa Hopkins Alberta Hunt Immaculate Conception Church Intermountain Equestrian Center Intermountain Healthcare Jesse A. Cole M.D. Charitable Foundation Johnson Brothers Light & Sound Ryan Johnstone Kenco Security King of Glory Lutheran Church, Billings Knights of Columbus, Bishop Eldon B. Schuster Council Scott and Jennifer Knutson David and Laurie Koga

Mary Kunkel Mitch Lucking Robert Lynam Tom and Cherie Lyons John Martin and Vandy Damany Susie Martin Mary Mendenhall Moderne Cabinet Chuck Nilles Bob and Shelley Oksness The Pachek Family Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. Robert and Lana Papp Stephen Parker Dennis and Brenda Peterson

Mark Petroni Cara and Phil Piccono Russ and Susan Plath Richard Prittie Dan and Jackie Rice Patrick Rice Jaymie and Todd Rietmann Lisa Rippetoe Stewart and Marilyn Rose Carmen Runner-Sargent Safeway Foundation Schroeder Contracting, Inc. Mark and Judy Schulte Laura and Jason Schultz Jerry and Jim Schwartz

Kim and Greg Schweikert John and Marilyn Sheffels Mark and Karrie Sherman Father James Michael Sikora Laura and Eric Simonsen John and Sue Skees Tom and Carol Smith Roy and Nancy Souder Johanna South Shalene Sparling SSR Construction Tina Stevens Ryan and Tausha Stoll Sweet Tomatoes Restaurants Rod and Marilyn Thorne

Richard and Ila Thornton Laura and Dave Tompkins Transystems LLC Bob and Mary Lu Trowbridge United Way of Treasure Valley United Way of Utah County US Bank Jon and Katy Vanderhoef Jose and Martha Velasco Visual Impressions Janet Wade Scott and Val Wilson Tom and Linda Wolgamot Tammy Zubick-Munguia

Legacy Society members shown below support the future of Easter Seals-Goodwill through their estate plans. Please contact Dennis Peterson at 800-771-2153 for more information or to be included on this list.

Anonymous Susan Ball Ruth A. Battin Estate Bob and Jane Becker Michelle and Jim Belknap Saline Berge Estate Robert Bills Estate Jack and Bernice Burns Rick Cavuto Chuck and Sally Cerny Beatrice Conry Estate Jeanne S. Davidson Estate Esther Flegel Estate Dr. and Mrs. George and Diane Gelernter Theodore Giesler Estate Mary “Bette” Gilmartin Estate

Randy and Nora Gray Gregg and Donna Grummer Curtis & Lillian Hanson Estate Christine Hart David and Debbie Howard Betty Johns Mark Juras Janet Kentfield Estate Reina Kerr Estate Delbert and Francis Larter Charitable Trust Tim Lightbourne John Martin and Vandy Damany Mr. and Mrs. Don W. McKamey Jennifer Miller Ray and Laurie Mohney Mary Jane Newcomb

Bob Niebuhr Shelley and Bob Oksness Gary and Eulalie Ophus Juanita Osborn Estate Kendra Owen Dick Pachek Jeanne Parker Patricia Raymond Estate Mr. Richard Regruto Kathy Rice Patrick Rice Patti Rice Peter and Stella Rice Dr. and Mrs. Bruce W. Richardson Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Ann Marie Ruttenbur Ronald and Susan Scariano

David and Shirley Shane Dorothy Shaw Estate Dorothy M. Sheets Estate Everett Shuey Estate Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sirak Bill Tacke and Barbara Teberg Curtis Templin Charitable Trust Jim and Susie Twedt Ray and Rosemary Waters Ralph H. Watson Estate William Wicks Tom and Linda Wolgamot Winnie Wyatt Estate Cari Yturri

Many of our children’s therapy and enrichment programs are made possible through the support of our donors.

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Bonners Ferry

Behavioral Health & Family Services Children’s Autism Services Developmental Disabilities Services Early Intervention Goodwill Stores

Ponderay

Kalispell Choteau

Coeur d’Alene Kellogg St Maries Moscow Orofino Lewiston Grangeville

Helena

Deer Lodge

Highlands Hospice

Bozeman

Butte

Medallion Home Care/Personal Care Pediatric Therapy

Great Falls

Missoula

Payette

Billings

Sheridan

Boise

Meridian

SCSEP * Working Solutions *

Idaho Falls

Nampa/Caldwell Mountain Home

Blackfoot

Working Solutions (GIIN) ** WorkForce Development Center

Twin Falls

Pocatello

Burley

Logan Ogden Clearfield

Salt Lake City

Provo

* Indicates office locations–services are statewide. ** Services subcontracted with Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest.

Price

Cedar City St. George

Easter Seals-Goodwill provides

life-changing services

FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH • Autism Services • Early Intervention Services • Pediatric Therapy Services • Peer Connections

Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain Inc. 425 1st Ave. N., P.O. Box 2509, Great Falls, MT 59403-2509 Telephone: 406-761-3680, 800-771-2153

FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Center • Community Housing • Community Support Programs • Information & Referral • Organizational Employment • School to Work Transition • Supported Living • Supported & Community Employment

FOR JOB SEEKERS • Goodwill Stores • Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) • WorkForce Development Center • Working Solutions FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS • Adult Day Services • Behavioral Health & Family Services • Equipment Loan • Highlands Hospice • Medallion Home Care • Personal Care & Private Duty Nursing

www.esgw.org

Serving Montana, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming