Winston Rhea 2022-2023 Annual Report

2022-2023 Annual Report

A Letter From Our Director

In 2022, we celebrated our first year in existence and secured our status as a 501(c)(3) organization as well as welcoming our first cohort of scholars. It has been a year of impact and growth. Through our efforts, and your support, WR has secured the grant amount for every scholar for the duration of their fouryear commitment. We exceeded our fundraising goal which enabled us to expand our 2023 cohort from two scholars, to three! This more than doubles our impact for the 2023-2024 school year!

This year, we also added a member to our board of directors, hosted three give-back nights and participated in GiveNOLA Day. These exciting developments would not be possible without the support of our donors and advisors. Winston Rhea exists as a low volume, high impact organization. Each scholar that enters our program receives more than just a scholarship, they are welcomed into a community of support. Each of our scholars receives individual mentorship that includes mental health services as needed, connection to career advice, biweekly individual check-ins, semesterly goal-setting meetings, and support for what they want their future to be. We are proud that 100% of our scholars are either enrolled in a college degree program or employed, with opportunities for career advancement. We are thrilled to introduce our three new scholars and continue our support of the 2022 cohort. We understand that everything may not go as planned for our scholars, but, like family, we will stick with them in the bad times and be there to celebrate the good times!

Daniel Harris

Co-Founder/Director

The Problem

More than 23,000 young adults will age out of the US foster care system every year. While every youths' circumstances are unique, the only constant is . These changes in schools, homes, mental health, caretakers, teachers and friend groups, to name a few, have lasting a lasting impact on those who experience foster care Unfortunately, the statistics are grave.

change

The Solution

Winston Rhea aims to extend a "safety net" to current and former foster care youths through mentorship and financial support towards their goals This flexibility and personalization is both a differentiator from other scholarship opportunities and is the hallmark of WR as a high impact, low volume organization. Both financial support and guidance are extended to assist with whatever is most important to the scholar and their goals, whether this is locating housing, purchasing furniture, general living expenses, trade certification programs, laptops, or down payment for a car. These are just some of the resources that non foster youth could receive from their guardians or family: resources that Co-Founder, Daniel, was blessed to have through Williams and Catherine .

consistent individual

in 4 of those that leave foster care will end up homeless within six months of exiting care.

of the males who exit care will be incarcerated before age 25

in 6

of the females who exit care will become pregnant before age 21

3 in 5 of foster youth move schools 7+ times from elementary to high school

3.4 Average Graduating GPA of the 2023 Cohort of Scholars

$500 Grant amount per semester per scholar

4 year commitment to each scholar

95 total donors

5 scholars to be supported during 23-24

130 anticipated scholar check-ins during the 23-24 year

100% of Board Members have donated

Winston Rhea annually pulls the national averages for young adults who spent time in foster care pertaining to college education, employment, housing, and income compared to Winston Rhea Scholars. In addition to national averages, Winston Rhea also receives constant feedback from our scholars on what they want out of their Winston Rhea experience

HS Diploma/ GED College Degree Adequate Housing Criminal Record NoFood Insecurity

National Average 73% 3% 75% 35% 30% Winston Rhea Currently 100% 80% CURRENTLYIN PROGRESS 100% 0% 100% Winston Rhea Goals 100% 50% 100% 20% 100%

Introducing Our 2023 Scholars

Jaiden Mangrum

Jaiden has been living outside of Lafayette, Louisiana over the last few years and will be relocating to her hometown of Gonzales, Louisiana. She will be attending Baton Rouge Community College and then plans to transfer to LSU. Jaiden aspires to become a lawyer and eventually a family law judge. She has a dream to help kids that have gone through what she has gone through.

Sean Perry

Sean is a recent graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, La. He will be attending LSU as a first-generation college student He will be pursuing a theater degree and dreams of being a multi-talented performer.

Ja'Maiya Raymond

Ja'Maiya is a recent graduate of Sophie B. Wright High School in New Orleans. La. She will be pursuing a nursing degree at Tallahassee Community College.

2022 Scholar Updates

Jen Vivanco-Mora

I am currently in my senior year of college at American Military University, and I have a 3.6 GPA. My major is Business Administration and as a small business owner, I am finding all the courses I take of significance to the success of my makeup artist business. I started my business, Vanidosa Beauty Studio, in November 2021 so that I could do what I love while continuing my education I will be completing my degree in December and am thinking of furthering my education with a nursing degree that will support cosmetic procedures in my business.

T'A dre Bivingsoodruff

time this summer and fall start a family of my own! I olling at Spartanburg ege in the Spring to work career in welding!

What's Next?

In the coming year, we hope to...

Secure additional funding to continue support of five current scholars, and add two new scholars for 2024

Establish a corporate sponsorship

Professional development for Staff

Submit at least 3 grant proposals

Invest in a high-interest account so that funds may grow

Host Supporter Appreciation Event

Assist with scholar internship opportunities and career development

2023 Board of Directors

Katie Steinhardt Harris

Co-Founder/Secretary

Catherine Rhea

Winston Williams

Derek Toth

Tom Ambrose

Thank You, Donors!

Kathleen Acomb

Margaret Acomb

Tom & Taylor Ambrose

Carol Asher

Tosha Bitho

Sebastien Bonnot

Alexandra Brown

Rachel Brown

Danielle Burke

Cody Cann

Amanda Cox

Chris & Laura Dalrymple

Frank Darden

Kayla DeLaughter

Clay & Louise Devlin

Dan & Susan Galligan

Will & Elizabeth George

John Hagerty & Susan Simons

James Hamblin

Daniel & Katie Harris

Richard Hayes

Abby Hemmilein

Julie Hood

Andrew Kepper

Jordan Kirsh-Clemenceau

Kraig Klosson

Catherine Kurucar

Jeanne René Lamson

Ren Manning

Cole Marquez

Jennifer Marsiglia

Emily McCrory

Ian McWilliams

Kelly Messier

Emily Morain

Jorge & Megan Morales

Katie Morton

Ainsley Nunez

Bayne Dickinson & Bev Ogden

Emma Catherine Rader

Patricia Resevic

Patrick Reynolds

Gordon & Catherine Rhea

Crystal Roa

Andie Rye

John Schaefer

Gail Schiffer

Pamela Skehan

Bill & Edie Steinhardt

Ed & Shari Steinhardt

Will & Lauren Steinhardt

Scott Steinhardt

Michelle Steinhardt & Mason Talbert

Jonnie Sutter

Karissa Todesco

Derek Toth & Ericka Stevens

Abby Wetsman

Winston & Melissa Williams

Rebold Family/Goldstein Family Foundation

Thank you to our Community Supporters