2021 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Growth
BOARD2021-2022OFDIRECTORSCHAIR
Aleida I. Jacobo, Esq.
Bryan Green VICE CHAIR Richard McChesney SECRETARY / TREASURER Julio Torrado CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mission, Wesley House
and*DesigneeNoraChristopherAdamBrandenburgChamieCathyCraneDeemHernandezHendrixSharynLadnerPamelaLindnerKristenLivengoodJoyMcPetersKristinePabianMariaPierce*forSharynLadnerNoraHernandezHendrixRonaldRamsinghSusanSikichSharonToppino ASSOCIATE BOARD Karen LissetteNathaliaLockwoodMelliesEuniceMelnickJoPineQuinteroDavidSmithYvetteTalbottBridgetThorntonAmandaWillett FRIENDS OF WESLEY HOUSE Alice Calleja StephanieGeorgiaMonsalvatgeParks
We chose these labors for love cannot lose. We gather those whom need has made our own, for none are strangers to need, none refuse the warmth of home, and no heart can live disowned. These cherished duties mark our mission's truth.
BOARD Nancy Amsterdam Sean
Poem by Aleida Jacobo
Because we all have known the child’s perfect need for love, because we know not all are fulfilled, because we know our all corrects the paths of receiver and giver alike, this call to teach and restore our constant goal directs.
Foster
www.WesleyHouse.org 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the CEO
NurturingStrengtheningDevelopmentFamiliesCaseManagementParentingProgramFundraising&DevelopmentCommunityOutreachDonors&StaffFinancialInformation 242322161412111098642
Inez Martin Child Development Center
Healthy Families Monroe In Memoriam Home Licensing Staff
capacity to 39 beds. The Full Case Management Program is the top performer in the Southern Region and enjoys the staunch support of our Child Welfare Lead Agency, Citrus Family Care Network.TheKey West Woman’s Club and Lower Keys Medical Center continued their legacy of support for our Healthy Families program by putting on a wonderful baby shower for our Key West expectant families and, as a new expansion, our Key Largo families as well. Healthy Families has expanded its service area to the Upper Keys. For fiscal year 2021-2022, the program served 82 families with 122 children. Two families graduated from the five-year program this year.
2 www.WesleyHouse.org MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
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Wesley House CEO, Aleida Jacobo with the 2022 graduating VPK class at Inez Martin Child Development Center in May.
WHFS’s Administrative Departments are at the core of our organization and help support and expand our programs. We have long subscribed to the model of non-profit transparency and post our financial information on GuideStar.org where we are a Platinum participant,
esley House Family Services (WHFS) has joined the national trend toward a more active participation in the public life of our communities given the apparent decline in the threat of the pandemic. We have been able to augment and fully enjoy our fundraising events, such as the BeLighted Bike Ride and its new addition, the Holiday Village; the Valentine's Day Gala at its new venue – the Key West Coffee Butler Amphitheater; and the much-anticipated return of the Key West Mayor’s Ball. We are ecstatic with the success of our fundraising efforts. Our greater public presence has particularly benefited our diverse programs. The community was exceptionally generous in making our Holiday Adopt-a-Family campaign the most successful ever with over 100 families receiving substantial gifts and assistance.TheFull Case Management Program continues to shine, finalizing 25 adoptions, which is a new record for us. During this same period, we reunified 17 children with their biological families. WHFS recruited and helped license 13 new foster homes (including eight child-specific homes) which raised our
GrowthExpansion &
children successfully graduated from VPK this Theyear.Strengthening Families Program continued to provide in-home services throughout the County to 61 families which prevented numerous at-risk children from coming into care and allowed families to stay intact.
Inez Martin Child Development Center leads the way in Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) education for Monroe County and enjoys Gold Seal Status. The Center focuses on developing and enhancing age-appropriate skills for toddlers to five years of age. A total of 16
* The Strengthening Families program are families that are identi ed by DCF as in need of services and are at risk for some type of abuse or neglect. The goal is ensuring all necessary intervention strategies are in place to prevent the children being removed and keep the family intact.
* Newly licensed foster homes include ve traditional homes and eight child-speci c homes where the child is placed with a relative or friend.
the highest level of financial recognition an organization can obtain. Only the top half of one percent of non-profits nationally achieve that status. We also enjoy an Encompass Rating of 100 from Charity Navigator. WHFS is nation ally accredited through the Counsel on Accreditation and has been so accredited for the last 20 Ouryears.Human Resources Department has kept brisk pace with the challenging Monroe County job market and our great Information Technology Department gives us the tools to support our users and deliver solutions quickly. The Aleidafromwhenverycommunityvolunteers,shipDirectors,generositythecarryLargohaveoverwhelmingbringsthrilledtogrowththebuildingpurchaseperiodrecentasDepartmentDevelopmentissimplyamazing,evidencedfromourmostsuccesses.ThehighlightofthiswasofcoursetheoftheLionsClubinKeyLargoandcontinuedexpansionandoftheWHFSmissiontheUpperKeys.WeareatthepossibilitiesitandhumbledbythesupportwereceivedfromtheKeycommunity.WesleyHousecouldnotonitsmissionwithoutdedicatedsupportandofourBoardofstaffandLeaderTeam,colleagues,donors,partners,andtheatlarge.Wearethankful.Manyaretherewardsweworkrightlyandtheheart.I.Jacobo,Esq.
www.WesleyHouse.org 3
* Level II homes are traditional foster homes where the child or children do not live with relatives or friends. Level I are child-speci c homes.
* For pre-service training, seven candidates passed the certi cation exam. Three of the seven candidates that passed the certi cation exam belong to other Full Case Management agencies in Miami. Wesley House assists them with getting their sta certi ed quickly.
* For pre-service training, seven candidates passed the certification exam. Three of the seven candidates that passed the certification exam belong to other Full Case Management agencies in Miami. Wesley House assists them with getting their staff certified quickly.
128 17 25 3 31317 61 82122 55 16 25947 1600 Management.FullservedChildrenbyCase families!withreuniwereChildrenedtheir adopted!Children New completed.*trainingPre-serviceFullinfosterlicensedhomesMonroeCounty.*LevelIIFosterhomesinMonroeCountywithspacefor39children.*cyclesof program.*FamiliesStrengtheninginservedFamiliesour servedFamiliesin our Healthy program.*Familiesprogram.FamiliesHealthyinservedChildrenour graduatedChildren the VPK program at Inez Martin. classes.parenting16-weekcompletedFamiliesSupervisedvisitsforchildrenwiththeirfamilies.Childtransports.*ChildrenattendedInezMartinChildDevelopmentCenter. 8-weeksessions of Foster Parent Training Classescompleted. Fiscal Year 2021 –Statistics2022
* Two families graduated our Healthy Families program this year. Healthy Families works with the family from birth to age five. Once the child or children turn five, each family successfully graduates with a lifetime of skills for a strong parent-child relationship.
* Newly licensed foster homes include five traditional homes and eight child-specific homes where the child is placed with a relative or friend.
* The Strengthening Families program are families that are identified by DCF as in need of services and are at risk for some type of abuse or neglect. The goal is ensuring all necessary intervention strategies are in place to prevent the children being removed and keep the family intact.
* 1600 Child transports includes driving children to supervised visits, doctor, and dentist appointments, etc.
* 1600 Child transports includes driving children to supervised visits, doctor, and dentist appointments, etc.
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
* Level II homes are traditional foster homes where the child or children do not live with relatives or friends. Level I are child-specific homes.
* Two families graduated our Healthy Families program this year. Healthy Families works with the family from birth to age ve. Once the child or children turn ve, each family successfully graduates with a lifetime of skills for a strong parent-child relationship
4 www.WesleyHouse.org INEZ MARTIN CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Students at Inez Martin work on developmental activities that include creating patterns, counting, and sensory play.
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Children and staff get ready to perform at the 2022 in person VPK graduation ceremony held in May.
or more than 40 years, the Wesley House Inez Martin Child Development Center has continued to provide caring and supportive early childhood services to families in our community. Our program, which last year served on average 55 children daily from 2 – 5 years of age, encourages each child’s individual developmen tal needs. While focusing on age-appropriate skills such as fine and gross motor, emotional well-being, positive social interactions, language
This year we resumed our “in person” graduation program for the VPK class. The program was held at Inez Martin at the end of May with 14 of our 16 VPK students participating in songs and activities for their families. One of the graduate’s mothers, Juliana Hamouz, sent this message to our program: “Huge thank you to all the teachers and staff for a wonderful graduation cere mony! It was unforgettable for
students into kindergarten and up to third grade. Our students were selected for Language development, and thanks to their use of the Waterford Learning Program, they were very comfortable with completing the pilot assessment. Students exceeded the State’s “kindergarten readiness” score. We are delighted with the successful outcomes of our VPK students this year.
Our Voluntary PreKindergarten program (VPK) this year had 16 children successfully complete the 540-hour program. These VPK graduates will enter kindergarten in August 2022 with the skills they have acquired for success in their upcoming school years. Inez Martin VPK students partici pated in the Division of Early Learning VPK Assessment program for the pilot’s final year. This assessment, which is a web-based computer program of Language and Mathematics will follow the
www.WesleyHouse.org 5
&
and reading skills, and overall cognitive development, the primary goal is that each child who enters school is ready to learn and succeed.
us parents and very exciting for the kids. Adam said this morning that the party yesterday was amazing, and he had trouble falling asleep from all the excitement! He was very proud of himself, and we are very proud of him.”
Inez Martin is grateful for our partnerships with several agencies. The Star of the Sea Mission (SOS) provides our children with a hot lunch daily. The Larry Dion Foundation and private donors have allowed the continuance of our Backpack for Kids program now finishing its tenth year! We continue our partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade and Monroe for school readiness and Florida Voluntary Pre-K services. Other partnerships include The Knight Foundation, Klaus Murphy Foundation, United Women in Faith, United Way of the Florida Keys, and Key West United Methodist Church. Thank you to all our donors for their continued support of our programs here at Inez Martin!
Everyday!GrowingLearning
November 20, 2021
November 23, 2021
115 families receive Thanksgiving meals courtesy of Fury Watersports, Royal Furniture, and UM Experts.
August 31, 2021
he Healthy Families program successfully completed another year of serving the children and families of Monroe County. The program served 82 families totaling 122 children and graduated two families this year. Our expansion to cover the entire county continues to be a success and we have increased the number of families being served in the middle to upper Keys. The program also gained partnerships with local providers to include the Key Largo Library, United Methodist Church of Key Largo, and the St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Tavernier. With the support of these partners joining forces with the Key West Woman’s Club and the Lower Keys Medical Center, we were
prevention programs throughout the entire system of care for children and families.Healthy Families would also like to share with our community the great work that is being done by our amazing staff. Elizabeth Blanco, an employee for 18 years, is one example. Elizabeth said, "It has been wonderful to see so many families grow with their children, reach their goals and change their lives through our program, other resources, and programs in the community that make a difference. It takes a community working together to help achieve goals and strengthen families. I can't believe I get paid to help people and make a difference in the lives of others."
This past year, the Healthy Families program in partnership with the Department of Children and Families and Full Case Management, successfully imple mented and sustained program changes that included serving families with open child protective cases. This is a milestone for the Healthy Families program and a tremendous step towards enhancing
September 10, 2021
FuturesHealthyFamiliesHealthyequals
Yolanda Nogueras is awarded the Partners in Collaboration Award at the DCF Summit.
National Adoption Day at Aquarium Encounters of the Keys in Marathon - over 70 people attend!
able to provide our families with another successful Baby Shower event. Expecting mothers and mothers with infants were showered with many gifts that included handmade blankets, books, and many baby items to help give the babies a great start. We are extremely grateful for their contributions and look forward to our continued partnerships.
T
Graduation is held for the 1st C.A.R.E. Foster/Adoption Parent Training Class.
6 www.WesleyHouse.org HEALTHY FAMILIES MONROE
The Key West office hosts a Holiday Toy Store where families and caregivers can "shop" for gifts for their children.
Holiday Staff luncheon at Sunset Grille in Marathon. This is the first time the entire staff has met in-person since the pandemic.
Left page: Our first Upper Keys Baby Shower at St. James the Fisherman Church was a huge success!
December 8, 2021
December 3, 2021
Above: Baby Time Co-Chairs, Mary Kay Rich and Brenda Bodner showcase a handpainted canvas "spill mat". A Woman's Club member generously painted 18 mats to place beneath a high chair to make clean up at meal time easier.
December 10, 2021
18 diaper bags and hampers are packed full with gifts provided by The Key West Woman's Club, diapers from Lower Keys Medical Center, and our generous donors for the 2022 Baby Time Baby Showers.
Healthy Families family support specialist, Lila Tijerino, snuggles with a newborn baby at the Upper Keys Baby Shower.
Left photo: Expectant mother, Bellanira Rayo, and her daughter enjoy the fesitivities at the Key West Woman's Club Baby Time Baby Shower. She was extremely grateful and blown away by the generosity of the gifts she received!
WHFS distributes 2000 toys to five Keys nonprofits for the 2021 Holiday Helpers toy drive.
www.WesleyHouse.org 7 HEALTHY FAMILIES MONROE
December 14, 2021
WHFS holds the BeLighted Bike Ride and the first Holiday Village. Over 2000 bikes participate in the bike ride down Duval Street!
70 families and 122 children receive gifts from our Adopt-a-Family sponsors. A record year!
Norman Stikes
Norman
– Foster Youth
December 21, 2021
“He was a loving and funny foster Dad who made the sad days happier. I will miss him and his home with the chocolate cookies.” – Foster Youth
“He was a realist, a person who saw through the nonsense and got straight to the point with dignity and respect to take care of the kids in his home; he recognized it took a village to help families and he played a leading role.” – Tiffany Da Silva WHFS, CBC
Stikes was a quiet, nurturing, strong, supportive presence in the foster home he shared with his wife Lori. He selflessly cared for many of the county’s most vulnerable youth without complaint. Since 2012, Norm fostered more than 70 children from Monroe County who needed a loving, safe, temporary home. He and Lori often took these children in at a moment's notice. Together they provided them with structure, allowed them to heal, and helped them take their next steps in their journeys. They often cared for special needs children, large sibling groups, and those with fragile medical conditions. Every child that passed through their home was given a respite from the abuse and neglect that led them there. Norm helped all these children create better paths and opportunities for positive life experiences. He did not draw the line with supporting the children; he also supported the parents and modeled positive parenting behaviors demon strating that it takes a village to create stronger families. Sadly, in December 2021, Norm lost his battle with Covid and passed away. He leaves behind many people who remember him fondly for having lived out a calling. He took action to help others and made a true difference in this world for so many children. Wesley House Family Services is indebted to him for everything he has done for foster youth in Monroe County, and we will deeply miss him.
January 7, 2022
“I will always remember Norman’s influence on kids. He was a natural ‘dad,’ he lived that role, he was proud of the kids and really made a difference.” – Ben Kemmer, CEO, Florida Keys Children’s Shelter
WesleyBeloved House Foster Parent leaves a legacy of love and support.
Salary adjustments made for staff to reflect cost of living increases.
The Key Largo office hosts a Toy Store at St. Justin's Church, where families and caregivers "shop" for gifts for their children.
December 15, 2021
April 27, 1967 – December 20, 2021
December 17, 2021
8 www.WesleyHouse.org IN MEMORIAM
WHFS purchases the old Lions Club building in Key Largo for the new Upper Keys office.
“NormanDirectorwasoverall a kind man. You can tell he enjoyed his job and got along well with the kids. He was also very funny and could crack a joke in almost any way and is loved by many.”
“Mr. Norm was a great person and would always help me out if I needed it. Anytime I was upset or down he knew how to make me smile. Mr. Norm was and still is a big inspiration for me to become successful. I could always rely on him to make me laugh or just talk serious. He loved me and my siblings and always wanted us to succeed. He was a wise man and I wanted him to see all my accomplishments. Just know I will always miss you Mr. Norman.” – Foster Youth.
– Nicole Moynihan, WHFS QA Liaison
“Norm was a strong role model for the many children who entered his home. He treated his foster children, their biological families and community partners with the utmost respect. His compassion, baking skills and generosity will be strongly missed.”
parenting is different for every child and means meeting the individual needs of the child in front of you. These two foster families embodied quality parenting over the last year.
www.WesleyHouse.org 9 FOSTER HOME LICENSING
Key West Foster Parent C.A.R.E. class begins.
“Norm was a mentor to so many youths that crossed his path. He was a beacon of hope to those that lost their way. A strong tower yet a gentle giant that will forever be remembered and never forgotten.” – Kenneth Williams, WHFS Manager
40th Valentine's Day Gala held at The Coffee Butler Amphitheater, raising more money than previous Galas!
WHFS honors Phil & Nancy Amsterdam at the Community Foundation of the FL Keys Volunteer Luncheon.
February 14, 2022
“Norm was a compassionate foster parent and a mentor to our children. He was an example to all.” – Aleida Jacobo, WHFS CEO
February 24, 2022
Katelin personally drove the child from Key West to north of Orlando to meet the caregiver, truly above and beyond! She ensured that the child had all her belongings, and that she was there to directly transfer the child to her perma nent placement. Katelin remains in contact with the child and plans to visit her when she is back on the mainland.
“I feel immeasurable fortune to be part of the team with Norm that set up the foster homes in Key West. He was always a delight to work with and talk to. I will miss him terribly. Norm changed opportunities for generations to come. “
February 4, 2022
WHFS negotiates board rate increase for Monroe Foster Families.
February 2022
Quality
Andrea and Mark have worked diligently with a young man placed in their home to help him face serious physical health challenges. They created new, healthy patterns for him to continue once he is reunited with his father. They have supervised visitations with the birth father in their home. This allows Andrea to role model caregiving actions that include healthy eating and physical activities for the child and parent; ensuring the young man will continue to receive healthier care, and to allow the birth father to learn new parenting skills to keep his son safe.
“Norm was larger than life, and still somehow the gentle giant that supported so many children in their times of need. I always appreciated his sense of humor, and willingness to help any child who came through their door. He was nonjudgmental with the kids and allowed them to just be kids. Wesley House was blessed to have Norm, and he will be sorely missed.” – Megan Burgess, WHFS Foster Parent Coordinator
– Bryan Green, WHFS Board Chair
ImplementingQualityFosterParenting
Katelin received her very first placement the week before Christmas, and right before school vacation started. She worked with Wesley House to arrange for the child to travel with her for work as all the vacation camps were full, which took some creativity! She followed the QPI (Quality Parenting Initiative) philosophy of working with families towards permanency for children and worked with the planned permanent caregiver to transition the child.
10 www.WesleyHouse.org
Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) awareness begins.
WHFS Training Coordinator, Eric Fisher presents an all-staff seminar about de-escalating volatile situations.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
April 1, 2022
WHFS hosts The Key West Mayor's Ball, the culmination of the Key West Bicentennial celebrations.
Train, Prep, Grow
March 26, 2022
and the new case manager. This helps prepare the case manager to successfully guide families toward achieving their family goals.
In 2021-22, nine staff successfully completed the Child Welfare Case Management exam. Staff participated in over 2,600 hours of training last year. These trainings were delivered both virtually and in-person by Wesley House staff and specialists from other agencies. Wesley House has also been able to help other agencies in onboarding their frontline workers.
March 23, 2022
Staff development plays a key role in equipping and supporting all staff members so they can better serve the families of Monroe County.
WHFS participates in the Community Outreach event at the Key Largo Library.
April 4, 2022
Development at Wesley House looks at the needs of our agency, our frontline workers, and the families we serve to strengthen our delivery of program outcomes. Each program has unique training needs based on the role and requirements of the program. Our staff are experienced and well equipped to support, maintain, and strengthen the family unit while focusing on safety, well-being, and Trainingpermanency.schedules are dictated by the onboarding process and by changes in State statute, administrative code, and operating procedures. As a result, the training coordinator is part of regularly scheduled group supervision meetings. Training needs are identified in those meetings by both supervisors and frontline staff. The training coordinator then meets with supervisors periodically to follow up on training needs. The onboarding process also populates our training schedule. As new staff come on board, we schedule appropriate training courses. The trainings vary by position, with the most prominent being Pre-service Training for case management. Pre-service is a collaborative effort between the training department, human resources, case management supervisors,
Thanks to the ability to deliver trainings virtually, Wesley House has assisted other agencies in preparing new case management staff for their roles within those agencies. It has helped agencies get frontline workers to the field more quickly.
Coffee & Pastry meet 'n greets are held at each location to kick off CAP month.
Staff
Moving forward, training and coaching delivery will be both proactive and responsive. Proactive in delivering regular training on core skills and responsive in addressing the emerging needs identified by supervisors, quality assurance, and staff. Individual coaching has been added to the department’s tasks. This will allow individual staff members to address specific needs as they manage cases. Staff development plays a key role in equipping and supporting all staff members so they can better serve the families of Monroe County.
May 1, 2022
May 1, 2022
The program continues to maintain relationships with stakeholders and partners who help us to guide our families through difficult life circumstances. Our goal as we move forward is to gain more champions for change who will continue to enhance the quality of life for children and families of Monroe
Foster Parent Appreciation Month begins.
The Conch Republic CIA (Cuties in Action) donates $10,000 to the Conch Republic Foster Children's Fund.
www.WesleyHouse.org 11 STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
Royal Investiture is held at The Southernmost Hotel. WHFS staff member, Megan Burgess wins the title of Queen!
We continue to fully embrace the philosophy of empowering our parents to be the best, knowing that the outcome will render healthier children.
T he programFamiliesStrengtheningprevention
continues to pave the way for many families throughout Monroe County by providing them with in-home services. These services not only support the family’s stability but also ensure that the families are able to grow together. Our dedicated team of Master’s level clinicians are at the center of our comprehensive wrap-around service model. Our team, which consists of Family Specialists, a Case Manager, and a Parenting Specialist, works fiercely to ensure that every parent receives the full support and training they need to enhance their parenting skills.
The program successfully assisted countless families and children to improve their living situations by ensuring that they were provided with individualized tools and strategies to help their specific needs. This year the program assisted several families in obtaining permanent housing. Affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges for our families and with the support of our community partners they were able to stay in the community they love.
April 15, 2022
April 19, 2022
ThroughCounty.the generosity and support of our partners, the program had the opportunity to send a teenage girl to a specialized camp this summer. She will be able to experience something that many youths in her circumstances do not. She will glean memories and life experiences that will last her a lifetime. We are not only supporting this amazing young lady but also her grandmother who has taken on the charge of caring for her granddaughter in the absence of her parents. We continue to fully embrace the philosophy of empowering our parents to be the best, knowing that the outcome will render healthier children. We look forward to another year of serving our community in partnership with service providers, stakeholders, and community partners.
EmpowermentthroughGrowth
Wesley House relicensed as a Child Placing Agency by DCF.
CASE MANAGEMENT 12 www.WesleyHouse.org
This year WHFS decided to focus more on these life transitions and ask the community for help. We had three amazing youths graduate from high school and prepare to attend college with full scholarships sponsored by the State. WHFS threw “Trunk Graduation” parties to celebrate their accomplishments. The youths created their wish lists and we put them out to the community. Within a few hours, our amazing community fulfilled their wishes in their entirety! We brought the children into the office to celebrate their many accolades and sent them to school in style. All three youths are embarking on impressive paths, and we expect that they will continue to shine.
May 25, 2022
May 14, 2022
May 2, 2022
Aging out of foster care is one of the most daunting life transitions for youth turning 18. Several studies have shown that young people who are emancipated without legal or relational permanency are at greater risk for homelessness, low educational attainment, early parenthood, and high rates of unemployment. Wesley House Family Services works hard to help youth acquire independent living skills, gain access to college, arrange for housing in extended foster care, and set the course for their next chapter.
The Key West Woman's Club hosts annual Baby Shower for Healthy Families mothers.
One youth graduated from Key West High School in May 2022. Originally from a different county, this child made her way to Key West through the foster care system, where Wesley House placed her with a loving family. She now considers Key West home and has roots here. This youth is an outstanding athlete and has excelled on the Conchs’ basketball and track teams. She overcame many obstacles to graduate from high school, with the ongoing support
Aging OutFosterofCare
May 7, 2022
Inez Martin Child Development Center holds in-person VPK graduation ceremony.
Healthy Families Baby Shower is held at St. James The Fisherman Church in Tavernier.
C.A.R.E. class graduates three couples and two individual prospective foster families.
New Board Member Orientation held at the Key West office.
June 2, 2022
www.WesleyHouse.org 13 CASE MANAGEMENT
June 9, 2022
Wesley House offices close in observance of Juneteenth.
June 15, 2022
Key West "Trunk Party" for independent living youth attending college.
The third youth graduated from Coral Shores High School in May 2022. This youth was fortunate to have a supportive foster mother after overcoming abuses she endured prior to living in foster care. This graduate is excited to move on to the next chapter of her life and begin college this summer at Florida International University (FIU). She plans to live independently and explore the different opportunities offered through her university. This graduate enjoyed participating in wrestling and soccer while in high school. She also held a part-time job which enabled her to understand the value of work and fiscal responsibility. She also completed a financial literacy course, adding to her knowledge and how to make appropriate financial decisions. At FIU she plans to major in Psychology and become a teacher to become a role model for younger generations. Beginning college and moving away from home is a daunting challenge for any youth, not just those that are transitioning out of foster care. These youths are breaking through barriers proving that they are more than statistics. Wesley House is honored and privileged to have support ed these children in foster care. We are excited to send them off in style with the generous support of our community and with their fantastic trunks!
Out
Key Largo "Trunk Party" for independent living youth attending college.
of her dedicated foster mother and Wesley House. The graduate has worked hard to succeed and is excited to be attending Keiser University this fall. She plans to participate on the University’s track team and pursue a degree in SportsAnotherMedicine.youth graduated from Key West High School in May 2022. He has worked exceedingly hard at his studies, completing 11th and 12th grade credits concurrently to graduate in May. This youth has surmounted many barriers in life and has become a passionate, motivated, articulate young adult. His drive to achieve was supported by his dedicated foster mother and Wesley House. This graduate is ecstatic that his hard work has paid off and currently attends Valencia College in Orlando, where he lives independently and is pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management. After Valencia, he plans to attend the University of Central Florida.
June 20, 2022
W
esley House offers parenting classes as part of our wraparound program of services to empower families to be their best. Often our parenting classes are court ordered and we tend to focus on deadlines, timelines, statutes and permanency goals. Sometimes we lose sight of the best time to offer parenting services, meaning the time that is best for the parent and child. We expect growth on our own schedules, rather than when the parent is ready. We have learned to be patient and allow our clients to drive the process when the information becomes relevant to them. We have seen this with clients who complete the required parenting program, but later return asking for more support and education because it now has value and meaning for them in their current situation. Talk about growth and Takeinsight!for example, Rebecca, who completed parenting class when her daughter
14 www.WesleyHouse.org NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM
Again,life.
timing is everything and growth is inevitable. We had just implemented a new curriculum that provided hands-on guidance for dealing with all the behaviors that Rebecca was experiencing with her daughter. Rebecca learned procedures for handling everyday melt downs. She reported back that she was having success and that her relationship with her daughter was much more positive. She learned
was a toddler. She was confident in her ability to be a good parent and felt that a courtordered parenting class was an insult. She was intelligent and street smart, and successfully completed the program we offered at the time with no problem. Fast forward to a headstrong four-year-old throwing tantrums multiple times a day causing her to feel like a failure. Rebecca came back to Wesley House asking for concrete guidance to help her daughter learn to manage her problematic behaviors as they were having a negative impact on many aspects of her
& Timing is EverythingGrowth is Inevitable
Ellen would return each week to report some successes and to present another scenario to work on. She learned that parenting does not come with an instruction manual, and all parents have struggles. Most importantly, she knows that Wesley House is here for help andwww.WesleyHouse.orgsupport.
Take another mom, Ellen. She also took parenting when it was court-ordered, and her child was an infant. She thought that she would never use the information because her daughter would never be like those “naughty” children in the books. She added that her friends with older children warned her about giving her daughter everything she wanted, but she was sure her daughter would never act like those other “spoiled” children. Ellen called when her daughter was three years old and asked for parenting
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to plan for “high risk” situations and to role play with her daughter to show her the expected outcomes for each situation. Rebecca was brave and took on a birthday party and an excursion to the toy store, two situations that elicited huge tantrums in the past. She put her new knowledge to the best advantage for her family and no longer felt like a failure because she had the necessary tools to help with her family’s growth.
support. She gave multiple scenarios of how her daughter was controlling her life, and she felt resentful but also unaware as to how to resolve the problems. We tackled one situation at a time, giving Ellen the tools to assert herself as a parent and provide her daughter with much needed guidance and structure.
Morgan Smeraldi, WHFS Nurturing Parenting Program herno-nonsenseenvironment.Coordinator,Facilitatorconductsone-on-oneparentingclassesinanintimateandnon-judgementalSheoffersadvicewhichclientsgreatlyappreciate.
She put her new knowledge to the best advantage for her family and no longer felt like a failure because she had the necessary tools to help with her family’s growth.
Bike Ride had a record of 2000 bike riders that cruised Duval and Whitehead Streets. Our riders had everything from simple decorations to the extraordinary, including a three-piece train and Santa pulling a bike sleigh! Just before the ride began we held a "best bike contest" for 14 participants. It was a tough selection, but our celebrity judges, Mayor Teri Johnston with Board Members Adam Chamie and Sean Brandenburg, made excellent choices.
The majority of decorations were donated from the community and most were created by our talented staff. Our crème de la crème were two high-quality hand-crafted 8' tall nutcrackers created by Board Member Pamela Lindner and her husband George, shown in the photo to the right with Santa'sThehelpers.BeLighted
traditional lighted bike ride in 2021 and became the Wesley House Family Services' BeLighted Bike Ride and Holiday Village. The Holiday Village at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater was a family-friendly pre-party to the bike ride. It included 22 community booths providing free activities for the children, a local DJ playing Christmas music, a talented dance troupe, elves galore, and a visit from Santa to give The Village some holiday magic. It was the perfect event to get everyone excited for the holiday season.
We are excited about how we will expand this event in future years as a "must-do" to kick off the holidays!
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thanks to Board Member Pamela Lindner (pictured on the right) and volunteers Chomi Oropeza and Board Member Eunice Melnick (not pictured) for spending many hours creating the beautiful paper flowers we used as decorations at the Gala representing Love in the Tropics!
40 Years of Love in the Tropics!
In
our presenting sponsors. 2021 brings the end of an era, as the Amsterdams sold their beloved home and will now enjoy retirement! Board Member Joy McPeters and her husband Doug, along with Board Member Kristine Pabian and her husband Bob, enjoy the night. In the bottom photo, William and Victoria Marraccini glam up for the Gala! Top group photo, right page: Diamond Sponsor, UM Experts arrive in style with their guests, Bobby Glorioso, Jack McCarthy, Manny and Anita Garcia, Anne Marie and Matt Chapman, and AntwaanBottomTaylor.group photo, right page: Platinum Sponsor, Citrus Family Care Network had a great time with Hubert and Yinay Ruiz, Kimberly McGrath, Mallory Johnson, Leslie Vega, and Kimberly Grabert.Aspecial
This page: Nancy and Phil Amsterdam's Curry Mansion Inn were
18 www.WesleyHouse.org Annual Valentine’s Day Gala The Curry Mansion Benefiting Monday, February 14, 2022 Coffee Butler Amphitheater 6:30 - 9:30 pm www.WesleyHouse.org/ValentinesGala DEVELOPMENT
2022 we celebrated our 40th Valentine's Gala with the theme of 40 Years of Love in the Tropics! The venue was changed to the Coffee Butler Amphitheater to allow for more space for a post-COVID event. Patrick and The Swayzees kept the crowd on their feet all night long, despite the chilly temperatures for Key West! The guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Catered Affairs and trulyTechnologyprofitabletoGalashelpedThisfromevenWefromallowedauctiononcompetitiveplacedbidsournewonlinesystemthatgueststobidtheirphones.hadparticipantsbiddingevenacrossthestate!newtechnologytoexceedpastinfundraising,becomeourmostyearyet!aside,whatmakesthiseventspecial is the generosity of our sponsors and donors. We are blessed to have an event that continues to be so popular with such longevity in the community.
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20 www.WesleyHouse.org DEVELOPMENT
The Mayor's Ball
The Culmination of the City of Key West Bicentennial Celebrations
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The 2022 Mayor's Ball coincided with the Bicentennial Celebrations of Key West and quickly became the culmination of those events. Not only was Mayor Teri Johnston honored, shown at left with her wife Dar Castillo, we also honored 200 years of the past Key West Mayors! The extensive research for our visual display was made
possible by Betty Darst, shown below with some of the Mayor Featuredcutouts.onthis page
are Board Member Sean Brandenburg and his wife Julie, top photo. Longtime support ers of Wesley House, Dr. John and Alice Calleja. Board Member Kristine Pabian and Board Chair Bryan Green. Wesley House Development Coordinator Grace Epperly
and Board Member US Coast Guard Captain Adam Chamie. The Key West Junkanoos gave a lively performance to kick off the Bottomdinner!rightare Darla Snyder, Linda Walker, Board Member Nancy Amsterdam, Cindy Bensen, Board Member Kristen Livengood, Kelly Ryan, Kristine Pabian, and Mary-Lynne Price, all having a great time!
National Night Out
Board Member Joy McPeters and Board Chair Bryan Green show their support at the kick off breakfast on April 4, 2022.
Child Abuse Prevention Month takes place in April. This year, we held a kick-off meet 'n greet coffee and pastry breakfast at each of our offices and distributed small signs with pinwheels to 100 businesses throughout the Keys.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH 22 www.WesleyHouse.org
Board Members Cathy Crane, Yvette Talbott, and Pamela Lindner volunteer at the Key West National Night Out Wesley House tent.
Child PreventionAbuseMonth
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors, community partners, and law enforcement. This fun event takes place the first Tuesday in August each year.
The pinwheel is the national symbol which represents happy and healthy childhoods for all.
Key Largo Wesley House staff stay busy at the Upper Keys National Night Out promoting Wesley House and serving sno-cones!
Above, we created a peace symbol out of 230 pinwheels; representing one for each child in our care at the time. The peace sign was displayed on the Key West facade for the entire month of April.
Tony & Kelli Brown
Mel Fisher Treasures, LLC
Citrus Family Care Network Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Anne Marie & Matt Chapman
DarlaDouglasKristineEuniceMarracciniMelnickE.Pabian&JeannineSchrockSnyder&StephenK.BrennerTimothy&AnnitaTschanzRobertH.Warner
The WHFS Leadership Team: Scott Shores, IT / Facilities Manager; Angelica McCoy, Director of Quality Assurance; Tiffany Da Silva, Director of Community Based Care; Aleida Jacobo, Chief Executive Officer; Greg Wheeler, Chief Financial Officer. Not pictured, Christine Patterson, Director of Inez Martin Child Development Center.
John & Alice Calleja
Robert & Nancy Manly William
Thank you to our additional volunteers and donors who provide funding for programs, and events!
www.WesleyHouse.org 23 DONORS & STAFF
The entire Wesley House team at our holiday lunch, December 10, 2021, wearing their staff gifts - WHFS sun hats!
Larry Dion Foundation
Janice Friends
Charles & Janet Bengel
Our Partners & Major Donors
Fury Water Adventures
David & Karyn Brickner
Cuties in Action
The Sexton Family Foundation
PRIVATE DONORS
Ounce of Prevention Healthy Families Florida SOS Foundation
First Horizon Foundation
William & Elizabeth Entenmann
Key West Woman's Club
Florida Department of Children and Families General Board of Global Ministries
Monroe County Human Services Advisory Board
Nancy & Philip Amsterdam
Edward B. & Joan T. Knight Foundation, Inc.
PARTNERS
The Helmerich Trust
United Way of Collier and the Keys United Women in Faith
FOUNDATIONS & BUSINESSES 801 Bourbon Bar Amsterdam's Curry Mansion Inn Charley Toppino & Sons, Inc.
Dale & Susie Emerick
Lisa Helene Ferringo P.A LKT Services & Companies, LLC
Fred M. Klaus & Harold L. Murphy Foundation
Monroe County Sheriff's SAFF Fund Opal Key Resort
Lower Keys Medical Center Meisel Holdings, LLC
Deborah & Steve Henson
Carolyn Kostelny
Key West United Methodist Church
The Lookout Foundation, Inc.
24 www.WesleyHouse.org FINANCIALPROGRAMSINFORMATION Full Case InezHealthyFosterStrengtheningManagement,Families,ParentLicensing,FamiliesMonroe,MartinChildDevelopment Center ANDMANAGEMENTGENERAL AGENCY HOW WE USE OUR BUDGET Inez Martin Children's Programs$151,448 Inez ScholarshipsInezBackpackMartinProgram$7,000Martin$5,000Inez$95,850Martin Food Program Daily breakfast, lunch, and snack for every student! Two days worth of cereal, juice, fresh fruit and nutritious snacks are sent home every Friday. We provide enough food for our students plus their siblings. Becauseofyou! In fiscal year 2021 – 2022, the generosity of our donors and grants, made the followingThankpossible.you!
FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXPENSES BY PROGRAM FULL MANAGEMENTCASE HEALTHY FAMILIES MONROE INEZ MARTIN FAMILIESSTRENGTHENING Adoptions$25,790DentalCare$69,202 $15,880HelpersHoliday Assisting WHFS in addition to other community nonprofits. $122,943ProgramFamiliesHealthy Capital$202,608Projects $10,000ReliefCatastrophe Children'sConch$28,505RepublicFund Items that allow kids a sense of normalcy and fun! $20,000CampsSummer Funded through grants, we provide adoption services for children in foster care who cannot be reunited with their families. Often children in care have never seen a dentist, and require extensive dental work.
Wesley House has long subscribed to the model of nonprofit transparency and posts its financial information on Guidestar.org where it is a Platinum participant.
The agency is committed to maintaining an ongoing Performance Quality Improvement process to ensure that a high quality of service is delivered and that the agency mission, policies, and procedures are met or exceeded.
Wesley House Family Services is a not-for-profit agency designated 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Code. We are supported by state and local funders, as well as private support through generous donations from the community.
MISSION
To develop and encourage a more child caring community.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Special thanks to our staff who contributed their writing and editing to the annual report.
Wesley House has an enduring commitment to quality and adheres to the best practice concept of developing and implementing the most efficient and effective way of delivering services to the public “The Wesley House Way.” Wesley House is an accredited organization by the Council on Accreditation (COA). COA has long recognized that strong governance and management increase an organization’s capacity to deliver services more effectively and thus achieve improved client outcomes.
IRS EIN 59-0624461
Wesley House Family Services complies with state and federal non-discrimination laws and policies that prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. It is unlawful to retaliate against individuals or groups on the basis of their participation in a complaint of discrimination or on the basis of their opposition to discriminatory practices.
VISION
Consumer Services Registration # CH146
Key Largo Office
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
99451 Overseas Highway • Suite 200 • Key Largo, FL 33037
Key West Office
Inez Martin Child Development Center
1100 Varela Street • Key West, FL 33040
305.809.5000 | www.WesleyHouse.org
Promoting and enhancing the safety, well-being and development of children by educating, supporting, and meeting the needs of families.
Design by Grace Epperly.
1304 Truman Avenue • Key West, FL 33040