a home kids · the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of god, working...
TRANSCRIPT
a home for homeless kids
2017 Annual Report
MissionCovenant House Florida provides shelter and services to children and youth who are homeless or at great risk.
Wewillmakeeveryeffortto reunitekidswiththeirfamilies
Wewillcollaboratewithcommunity agenciesandorganizationsandactivelyparticipateincommunityeffortstoimprovetheconditionsoffamiliesandchildren;and
Wewilladvocatewithandon behalfofyouthtoraise awarenessinthecommunityabouttheirsuffering.
Our mission is based on faith, incor-porating our individual and shared spiritualities, and the belief that all children and youth have a right to love, respect, and genuine concern.
This mission permeates all of our activities: We who recognize God’s providence and fidelity to His people are dedicated to living out His covenant among ourselves and those children we serve, with absolute respect and unconditional love.
That commitment calls us to serve suffering children of the street, and to protect and safeguard all children. Just as Christ in His humanity is the visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so our efforts together in the covenant community are a visible sign that effects the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.
Principles
Immediacy Kids come to us in crisis. Immediately and without question, we meet their basic human needs — a nourishing meal, a shower, clean clothes, medical attention, and a safe place away from the danger of the street.
Sanctuary
Our Fort Lauderdale and Orlando shelters are a sanctuary for homeless youth. The kids who come to us are often frightened and mistrustful. We protect them from the perils of the street. Youngsters can grow only when they feel safe and secure.
Value Communication
Lying, cheating, and stealing are common survival tools on the street We teach kids by example that caring relationships are based on trust, respect, and honesty.
Structure
Kids on the street never know how they will get their next meal or where they will sleep. We provide a regular schedule that gives them the stability they need in order to focus on the future.
Choice
Young people often feel powerless to control their lives, and fall into a self-defeating cycle of failure. We encourage kids to believe in themselves.
2
Services
Street outreach by foot and van
Shelter care: nourishing meals, clean clothes, and a safe place to sleep
Counseling, case management, and therapy
Referrals
Health services at on-site clinic in Fort Lauderdale
Family reunification whenever possible
Substance abuse treatment and aftercare
Teen parent education
Education: classes toward high school equivalency (General Educational Development)
Job readiness training
Life skills instruction
Transportation assistance for local referrals, job searching, and return home
Pastoral ministry in Orlando: voluntary spiritual guidance
Transitional housing for adolescents bridging into independent living
Drop-in center in Orlando
3
Dear Friends,More than 1.5 million young people have found peace, hope, and a second chance at Covenant House since our first shelter opened 45 years ago. We are more than an organization that cares for kids in 31 cities across six countries. We are a human rights and human dignity movement for forgotten kids across the Americas. We are their voice and their love.
Too many of our kids have heard repeatedly the same message in their short, painful lives. “You don’t belong. You don’t fit in. You’re no good.”
When a kid hears that over and over, they internalize the message and believe it’s true. They believe they’re unworthy. They don’t hope for tomorrow. They don’t aspire, don’t dream, and don’t realize how precious and beautiful they are in the eyes of God.
That’s why your support of this mission is so important. You not only help us provide for the immediate needs of our kids – you give us the chance to show them love. You give us the chance to show them their dreams and hopes and lives matter. You let us show them they are beautiful in our eyes and God’s eyes.
On behalf of all our kids, and the thousands more alone on the streets, thank you for caring. God bless you, God bless our kids and God bless this house.
Sincerely,
Kevin Ryan President Covenant House International
A Word from Covenant House Leadership
Kevin Ryan 4
Dear Supporters,Covenant House Florida has offered a lifeline for at-risk youth for 32-plus years, providing more than 38,000 young people with the respect, love and support needed to build hope-filled futures.
Hope for the future is often difficult for street kids, many of whom have experienced heartbreaking realities:
Nearly 43% of homeless young males and 39% of homeless young females have been assaulted with a weapon while living on the streets;
35% have a history of foster care and nearly half have aged out of the foster care system;
Nearly 20% have been victims of human trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation;
Nearly 40% are LGBTQ and face disproportionate dangers on the street;
Between 45% and 60% struggle with serious mental health and/or addiction issues;
Nearly 60% have not completed high school or earned an equivalency degree; and
32% have attempted suicide.
These young people show up on our doorstep downtrodden and beaten. We methodically pull them up to a better place, starting by meeting their immediate needs – shelter, healthcare, food and safety. We then help them address their deeper issues through services ranging from mental health support and substance abuse treatment to education services and workplace development. Ultimately, it is our hope to help them turn the corner from homelessness to independence.
We offer our heartfelt thanks for your support of our efforts.
Sincerely,
DavidGrabosky JamesM.Gress Board Chairman Executive Director Covenant House Florida Covenant House Florida
David grabosky
James M. Gress
5
Graduating Seniors
Five teenagers proudly earned their GEDs (General Education Diploma) through Covenant
House Florida’s GED program, partially funded by The Jim Moran Foundation.
Execs on the Streets
Fort Lauderdale’s Executive Sleep Out for Homeless Youth raised $225,000, thanks to a generous Salah Foundation match of $100,000. Forty executives slept out, including Chris Roehm (pictured).
Year in Review Fort Lauderdale
Lifetime Achievement
Executive Director Jim Gress was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award from Leadership Broward for 30+ years of service at Covenant House Florida. Gress is pictured with Jeff Cato and Jan Vrins, Covenant House Florida board member.
Christmas Cheer
Lissette Viera, front right, has engineered Christmas cheer for Covenant House Florida kids for the last 20 years. Lissette and her friends and family host the holiday celebration with all kinds of gifts for the youth.
Racing to Help Youth
The 8th Annual 5K on A1A hosted by the Young Professionals for Covenant House Florida brought in $40,000 and attracted 800 runners and walkers. Pictured is the team from Headlights Depot.raduatingSeniors
6
Fashion Police
Approximately 30 Ultimate Software team members took on the daunting task of organizing and sorting a room full of donated clothing to ensure that each resident was properly outfitted, both for work and leisure. The organization also donated $5,000 to build a new closet to keep all the donations in good order.
First Real estate Sleepers
The inaugural Real Estate Sleep Out attracted 40 real estate pros who raised $50,000 for Covenant House Florida. The event,
chaired by board member Scott Sherman, attracted teams from multiple real estate firms, law firms and title companies.
Behind the Masks
The Young Professionals for Covenant House celebrated Mardi Gras with colorful masks, sparkly beads and an evening of great fun at Lulu’s Bait Shack. Pictured are Young Pros board members Christine Molloy, Camilla Daza and Brooke Berkowitz with Covenant House Florida’s Cassie Urbashich.
Vision of Change
Vision of Change representatives generously volunteered their time and resources to make over the Covenant House Florida
conference room with deep cleaning, fresh paint, new window treatments and a new television.
All is possible
Covenant House Florida’s Mission Possible Luncheon featured guest speaker Tiesha Dyer, a former Covenant House Florida resident. Tiesha was an angry, aggressive teenager without hope when she came to the shelter. She left as a strong young woman determined to take control of her future. Tiesha is now a mother of three and a successful attorney.
7
Featured in Z Land
Z88.3 showcased the good work of Covenant House Florida on its “Making a Difference in Z Land” radio show. Z88.3’s Suzanne Lynn (left) and Shadow (right) are pictured with Covenant House Florida’s Tamara Chaumley and Maria Shorkey.
Year in Review Orlando
New Grads
Eight program participants from Covenant House Florida in Orlando beam with pride after obtaining their General Education Diploma. Thank you Scott McCallum, APR, Director of Government Affairs from Charter Communications, for serving as a commencement speaker for this important event.
Orlando Sleepers
Fifty-five volunteer “sleepers” participated in the Sleep Out for Homeless Youth Executive Edition at Covenant House Florida in Orlando, raising nearly $150,000 to support the vital services it offers.
Super Fit Supporters
The team from SUBU CrossFit took to the pavement to sleep out for homeless youth. They raised nearly $35,000 doing Burpees for Bucks.
Student Sleepers
Students from University of Central Florida slept out to show solidarity for homeless youth. Covenant House Florida Executive
Director Jim Gress and Covenant House Florida Board Member and UCF Vice President Dr. Chanda Torres are pictured with UCF students.
8
Covenant House Florida Orlando
Candlelight Vigil Shedding Light on the Plight
of Homeless Youth
9
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalentsGrants receivableBequests and other receivablesPromise of contributed use of buildingPrepaid expenses and other assetsInvestmentsDue from ParentProperty and equipment, net
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
LiabilitiesAccounts payableAccrued expensesCapital leasesDue to Parent
Total Liabilities
Net assets:Unrestricted:
UndesignatedInvested in property and equipment
Total unrestrictedTemporarily restricted
Total Net Assets
$ 985,257423,689
8002,070,240
52,697-
238,2891,454,031
$ 5,225,003
$ 101,873390,152
33,706-
525,731
1,205,1111,420,3252,625,4362,073,8364,699,272
$ 5,225,003
$ 556,394602,077
27,420-
49,203240,196
-1,482,990
$ 2,958,280
$ 90,787353,865
51,44042,017
538,109
588,0051,431,5502,019,555
400,6162,420,171
$ 2,958,280
Statements of Financial Position Year Ended June 30, 2017
2017 2016
10
Support Us!Covenant House Florida relies primarily on partnerships from individuals throughout Florida to reach out and respond to troubled youth. The public can help by:
Making a financial contribution by vis-iting www.covenanthousefl.org, calling 954-568-7914 or mailing your gift to 733 Breakers Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.
Donating essentials, especially hygiene supplies, baby items, and new clothing. Most Covenant House Florida youth wear adult sizes, and they need casual items like jeans and sneakers plus busi-ness attire for job interviews and work.
Volunteering their time. Opportunities are available in both program and sup-port areas.
Following us on Facebook (facebook.com/CovenantHouseFlorida) and Twit-ter (twitter.com/CovHouseFL).
Text-to-Give! To donate $10, text the word HAVEN to 85944 and the dona-tion will be added to your phone bill.*
*A one-time donation of $10 will be billed to your mobile phone bill. Messaging and data rates may apply. Donations are collected for Covenant House Florida by mobilecause.com. Reply STOP to 85944 to stop. Reply HELP to 85944 for help. For terms, see www.igfn.org/t.
Government SupportU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Services Network of Central Florida Broward County Community Partnerships—HIP Broward County Housing Finance and Community Development Orange County Housing and Community DevelopmentU.S. Department of Health and Human Services ACYF—Family and Youth Services BureauU.S. Department of Homeland Security Emergency Food & Shelter Program of Broward County Emergency Food & Shelter Program of Orange CountyCareerSource Central Florida Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Florida Department of Children and Families BBHC - Broward Behavioral Health CoalitionBroward County Community Partnerships Children’s ServicesBroward Sheriff’s OfficeCity of HollywoodCity of Pompano BeachCity of Oakland ParkOsceola County Children’s ServicesBroward Healthy Start CoalitionUnited Way of Broward County
Orange CountyHousing and Community Development Division
11
Donald & Ruth Campbell Fund, a charitable Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County
Donald J. Harris Charitable Fund of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Dusseault Family Stewardship Fund, a donor advised fund of Fidelity Charitable
Eugene F. Merkert Charitable FoundationFedExFidelity Charitable Gift FundFifth Third BankFlorida Business Travel AssociationFlorida K Of Charities, IncFlorida Utility Trailers, Inc.Food Management Associates, Inc.Francis A. and Adeline M. Sines
Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward
Friends of ChildrenG&G Woolner Charitable FundGene and Collette Herman Family
Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward
Give with LibertyGlobal Sales Resource IncGloria Rosenzweig Charitable Fund
of the BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund
Gulf Coast Community FoundationH.I. Foundation IncHeadlights DepotHealth Foundation of South FloridaHeidi Schaeffer Charitable Fund of
the Community Foundation of Broward
Helen Skoronski Fund of the Givewell Community Foundation
Hickory Global Partners LLCHillsdale FurnitureHobbs FoundationHospitality Human Resource Assoc.
of BrowardHumanaInsurance Center of Central FloridaItalian Terrazzo & Co. of BrevardJames A. Ruppe FoundationJet Harbor IncJoffran Inc.John G. Bull Fund of the Community
Foundation of BrowardKasatec LLCKlaussnerKuka FurnitureLadue Realty Limited Liability CompanyLawrence J. Snyder Memorial Fund
of the Community Foundation of Broward
Libra FoundationLocal Independent Charities of
AmericaMaitland Presbyterian ChurchManatee Community FoundationMargaret McCartney & R Parks
Williams FoundationMiller Charitable FoundationMiller Construction Co.National Property ManagementNetwork for GoodNewcomers Club, IncOrlando Sentinel Family Fund, a
McCormick Foundation FundPeacock Foundation, IncProgressive FurniturePrudential FoundationPublix Super Markets CharitiesR C Cox McFarlane FoundationRichard W. Higgins Charitable FoundationRipley EntertainmentRiverwalk Fort LauderdaleRobert O. Law Foundation, Inc.Rockefeller FoundationRosemary D Larson ScholarshipSchwab Charitable
Our Generous Donors*
Wells Fargo
The Colonial Plaza Wells Fargo team selected Covenant House Florida for a $1,000 Community Connection grant. Pictured is Branch Manager Joshua Peña, Associate Executive Director Maria Shorkey.
AccentureAIG Matching Grants ProgramAll Saints Catholic ChurchAmerican Endowment Foundation-
Anonymous FundAmeriprise Foundation Anna M. & James L. Kirk Foundation, Inc.Apopka Family Medicine IncAshley FurnitureAtlas RoofingAxiom BankAyco Charitable FoundationBernatchez Family FoundationBob and Donna Wahlert Donor
Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Boyle Family Charitable FoundationBrinkley Morgan Attorney at LawBroward Couny Bar AssociationBTS Realty CorporationCarpenter Contractors of AmericaCathleen McFarlane Foundation, Inc.Children’s Opportunity GroupChurch by the SeaCity FurnitureCommunity Foundation of BrowardCommunity Foundation of
Collier CountyCommunity Foundation of
Greater DubuqueConitex Sonoco Inc.Coral Springs Community Chest Daniel Reid FoundationDisney Worldwide Services, Inc.
12
Seminole Hard Rock HotelSherwood SoutheastShowroom Logic Holdings, LLCShutts & BowenSinging for ChangeSt. David’s Catholic ChurchStandard FurnitureSteven & Carisa Jones Family Fund,
a Charitable Donor Advised fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County
Stiles CorporationSun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a
McCormick Foundation FundSunbeam Television CorporationSuncoast Contractors Supply Inc.Synchrony FinancialT & G ContructorsThe Batchelor Foundation, Inc.The Benevity Community Impact
FundThe Byrnes Family FoundationThe Catherine L. & Edward A. Lozick
FoundationThe Chatlos FoundationThe Chesley G. Magruder
Foundation IncThe Clinton Family FundThe Do Unto Others Charitable Fund
from Vanguard CharitableThe Geo Group Foundation, Inc.The Hinman FoundationThe Hultquist FoundationThe J&V Meyer Ayco Charitable
FoundationThe J. Lawrence and Barbara B.
Wilson Chartiable Fund from Vanguard Charitable
*This listing includes corporations, foundations and organizations that donated more than $1,000 in 2016-2017. We sincerely apologize for any errors or omissions.
The Jim Moran FoundationThe John Murray and Eleanor M.
Stritter Foundation, Inc.The June & Julian Foss FoundationThe Lagomarsino FoundationThe Lawrence E. Ruf Charitable
Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation
The Nancy & Pablo Lorenzo Fund of the Ayco Charitable Foundation
The Salah FoundationThe TJX Foundation, IncThe William R. Watts
Foundation, Inc.The Women’s Club of CasselberryThomas P. and Patricia A. O’Donnell
FoundationToll Brothers
Young Pros
The Young Professionals for Covenant House, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Covenant House Florida, raised $80,000 for the organization in fiscal year 2016-17. Executive Director Jim Gress (center) is pictured with Michelle Zimmer, Tom Wenzel, Jamie Salmasian, Brooke Berkowitz, Carly Riggio, Laura Albertini, Crissy Arseneau, Christine Molloy, Stacy Babb, Cassie Urbashich, Camilla Daza and Elisha Moody.
UBS Financial ServicesUnited Way of Broward CountyUniversal FurnitureUniversal Orlando Foundation Basic
NeedsValencia College Foundation, Inc.Vanguard CharitableVecchitto Family Charitable FundWAF HomesWalmartWalsh Family Fund, a donor-
advised fund of Fidelity Charitable
Walt Disney World ResortWoltz Family Charitable Fund
Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund granted $50,000 to Covenant House Florida’s Independent Living program in Orlando. Lisa Jacobsen, Charitable Giving & Communications Manager with the Orlando Sentinel (center), is pictured with Covenant House Florida Executive Director Jim Gress and Associate Executive Director Maria Shorkey.
13
Stat Snapshot
Crisis Shelter
Number of Admissions 884Number of Kids Admitted* 591Days of Care 22,614Average Sheltered per Night 62Number of Days Average Stay 23
Fort Lauderdale
Gender*
53%Boys
47%Girls
<1%Transgender
64%Black
21%White
12%Multiracial 2%
Bi-racial1%Other
<1%Asian
<1%American Indian
Race* Ethnicity*
81%Non- Hispanic
18%Hispanic
<1%Unknown
65%18-20 years
25%6-17 years
10%0-5 years
Age*
Where They Came From
83%BrowardCounty
7%Miami-Dade County
5%Palm Beach
County2%
Other Florida areas
3%Out of State
Serving the Youth of Fort Lauderdale
Health Services
Number of Clinic Visits 3,090
Crisis Shelter (CS) Walk-Ins
Days Open 365Total Visits 734Average Daily Visits 2
Rights of Passage (ROP)
Number of Participants 24Days of Care 4,552Average Sheltered Per Night 12
Outreach
Street Counseling Contacts* 682
*Unduplicated
14
Crisis Shelter
Number of Admissions 293Number of Kids Admitted* 230Days of Care 10,792Average Sheltered per Night 30Number of Days Average Stay 40
OrlandoStat Snapshot
Community Service Center (CSC)
Days Open 366Visits* 326Total Visits 2769Average Daily Visits 8
Gender*
58%Boys 41%
Girls
1%Transgender
50%Black
36%White
10%Multiracial
1%Bi-racial
2%Other
1%Asian
Race* Ethnicity*
66%Non- Hispanic
34%Hispanic 85%
18-20 years
15%0-5 years
Age*
Where They Came From
68%OrangeCounty
12%Osceola County
6%Seminole County
8%Other Florida
areas
6%Out of State
Serving the Youth of Orlando
Rights of Passage (ROPAL)
Number of Participants 59Days of Care 10,555Average Sheltered Per Night 29
Outreach
Street Counseling Contacts* 188Total Street Counseling Contacts 869
*Unduplicated
15
Board of DirectorsDavid Grabosky
ChairmanT & G Constructors
Jan VrinsVice-Chairman
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
Dr. Leonard Bass, Valencia CollegeMatthew Brennan, Iberia Bank
Michelle Clark, GoConvergence AgencyLavern Kelly, KNA Services
Mark Knott, T & G ConstructorsDonald J. Lunny, Brinkley Morgan, Attorneys at Law
Christine Molloy, Accenture, President, Young Professionals for Covenant HouseJosh Polsky, Bernstein/Polsky, P.A.
Susan Selimos, AccentureScott Sherman, Tricera Capital
Patrick Sniffen, Signature Flight Support and ASIGKen Thirtyacre, President, Toll Brothers
Dr. Chanda Torres, University of Central Florida
Legal CounselDouglas M. McIntosh, Esq., McIntosh, Sawran & Cartaya, P.A.
Executive DirectorJames M. Gress
Thank you to all the youth and young adults who agreed to be photographed for this annual report. And many thanks to our photography partners, BD Photography, Downtown Photo and Kara Starzyk Photography.
Orlando
Covenant House Florida5931 E. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32807Phone: (407) 482-0404
Fax: (407) 482-0657Toll-Free: (800) 441-4478
Fort Lauderdale
Covenant House Florida733 Breakers Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304Phone: (954) 561-5559
Fax: (954) 565-6551Toll-Free: (800) 683-8338