2012Annual Report

ver the past 130 years, West End has helped generations of Delawareans succeed inbecoming and remaining self-sufficient. Our long history of success has proven that given

the chance, individually and collectively people can overcome their challenges and reachtheir maximum potential.

In 1883, our founder Emily Bissell was determined to make sure that children had a safe place tolearn, play and grow. She also recognized that families were struggling to gain employment,maintain affordable housing and secure proper health care. She believed that German, Irish andItalian immigrants needed guidance and support if they were to integrate and become contribut-ing members of our society. Now successfully integrated into our community, they have beenreplaced by a completely new and different demographic.

Today — not unlike the late 1800s — families come to West End with dreams of a better life forthemselves and their children. Since that time, hundreds of thousands have come to West Endseeking our advice, programs and assistance to help make those dreams become reality. New initiatives like $tand by Me have enabled us to reach thousands of additional families throughsatellite locations statewide. In collaboration with United Way and the State of Delaware, we have strategically targeted low-income wage earners and are providing them with one-on-onefinancial coaching.

Youth continue to benefit from our strategy of combining supplemental education, socialization,and recreation as a pathway to success in college and the workplace. Our Carrera program hasshown that young people want a safe place where they can grow and avoid negative peer pressure.

For over a century, our programs and services have maintained a reputation for excellence and areboth sought after and supported by the public. Our volunteers and staff are continually lauded byvisitors, funders and consumers alike. Their passion and dedication to excellence is truly an inspi-ration to all. Staying relevant to the community continues to be a hallmark of our agency. Webelieve our programs must have real outcomes and our management of resources must bethoughtful and conservative.

Over the last 130 years, we have seen depressions, wars, and great social change, yet haveremained a cornerstone in our community. We also know that the past is history and we will bemeasured by our achievements today, tomorrow and into the future. There is nothing wrong withhistory repeating itself — we learn from past challenges and continue building future successes.

Agency DescriptionWest End Neighborhood House has been improving the lives of an eth-

nically, economically and culturally diverse community since 1883. In2012, the agency’s approx. 85 employees served over 9,000 individuals.

By employing a continuum of care approach to meet clients’ comprehen-sive needs and encouraging ultimate self-sufficiency, West End providesassistance through outcomes-driven programming, utilizing innovative

solutions to resolve complex social challenges statewide.

MissionThe mission of West End

Neighborhood House, Inc. (West End)is to help individuals achieve self-suffi-ciency, reach and maintain their maxi-

mum potential, and live responsibly andharmoniously in a healthy community

and complex world.

Paul F. Calistro, Jr.Executive Director

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$93,848collective reduction

in debt among West End

customers in 2012

“Before coming to West End, I would use

credit cards to buy whatever I wanted

whenever I wanted it. Now I think long and hard before spending money because I don’t want to be in debt.”

— Theresa

282number of West End clients who achieved

stable housing in 2012

Financial ManagementWhen she came to us in 2005 with over $10,000 in debt,Theresa was in need of a helping hand. Luckily, West End’sFamily Resources Program was there. With the help of herprogram coordinator and housing counselor, Theresa initi-ated a repayment plan and has since paid off her debt in full.But that’s not all…in just fourteen months she brought hercredit score up over 125 points and in December of 2012bought her very own house! Theresa is just one of the near-ly 4,000 clients who received financial management servicesthrough West End in 2012.

“Predatory lenders have devastating effectson our communities and I’m proud that

West End took the initiative to offer a safealternative to high-interest payday loans.”

— Gov. Jack Markell, On the unveiling of West End’s Loans Plus program

Services• Safe, Affordable Loan Products• Certified Personal Financial Coaching• Credit Report Review/Evaluation• Financial Goal Planning and Asset Development

HousingThroughout its history, West End Neighborhood House, incollaboration with its sister agency Cornerstone West, hashelped transform housing in Delaware. During the past 13years, over 59 million dollars in capital funds were generat-ed for renovations and newly constructed homes, and morethan 390 units of housing were developed for very low tomoderate income families. This infusion of capital has gen-erated private investment and resulted in the revitalizationof four neighborhoods in the City of Wilmington alone.

Services• HUD Certified Housing Counseling• Affordable Homeownership Opportunities• Individualized Services for New Homeowners• Home, Weatherization & Façade Improvements• Community Development

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Education & Employment

Carlos started in West End’s Education & Employmentprogram with an eighth-grade education, but was onlyreading at a sixth grade level. He also had a criminalbackground and no employment history. Nonetheless,he set himself the goals of earning a GED, findingemployment, and staying out of the justice system.

Thanks to guidance from West End staff, Carlos hassuccessfully completed customer service training andreceived a nationally recognized certification from theNational Retail Federation. He also advanced from asixth to a twelfth-grade reading level in only threemonths, found a job (which he has held for over sixmonths) and successfully passed the GED exam.

“The community is proud of the workbeing done by West End NeighborhoodHouse and its partners to help prepareour young people to make good decisions

today and in the future.”

— U.S. Congressman Mike Castle

Services• GED® Preparation Classes & Tutorial Services

• GED® Testing & Fee Assistance

• Job Placement Assistance & Training

• Customer Service Certification Training

• Transition Assistance to College & Advanced Training

• Case Management & Coaching

503number of West End

clients that advanced aneducation or grade level,

obtained a GED or transitioned to college in 2012.

153number of West End clients who obtainedemployment in 2012

“West End helped me to stayon a straight path and learnto set priorities in my life.It’s hard to explain all the

things the program has donefor me, but I can say that I

wouldn’t be where I am nowwithout West End. Theyhelped me get a job and a

GED and move away frommy old life where I was

going nowhere.”

— Carlos

Financial Highlights 2012

2012 WENHConsolidatedRevenue$4,943,821

61%United Way of Delaware 13%

Contributions 12%

Program Income 10%

Investment Income & Other 4%

Government Grants

Program Services

88%

Management & General 10%

Fundraising 2%

2012 WENHConsolidatedExpenses$4,943,821

Program Service Expenses (2012)

Youth Development

Education & Employment

Former Foster Care Youth

Financial Management

Housing & Community Development

$1,461,760

$880,674

$814,007

$806,030

$409,608

West End continues to focus on keeping administrative costs low. In 2012, 88% of revenuefunded our program services, while the agency kept management and fundraising expenseslow at 12%. In comparison, a study of similar sized non-profit organizations showed anaverage administrative cost of 19%.

Financial Highlights 2012

In 2012, Cornerstone West, through the West Side Grows Together initiative, spearheadedthe creation of a revitalization plan for the city of Wilmington’s West Side. The plan wasbased on the input of over 1,000 community members, residents, institutions, businessesand stakeholders. In only its first year of implementation, the project has attracted nearly$1,000,000 in funding, added two additional businesses to the district, and created 10employment positions.

2012CornerstoneWestRevenue$2,804,755

Other $5,212

Home Sales$1,148,900

Contributions$905,203

Government Grants $745,440

Program Services

92%

Management & General 8%

2012CornerstoneWestExpenses

Since 1999, Cornerstone West has attracted over $59,000,000 incapital investment for home renovation and construction, and hasdeveloped over 390 housing units for very low to moderate incomefamilies. This infusion of capital has also resulted in the revitalizationof three neighborhoods in the City of Wilmington.

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Serving Former Foster Care Youth

Melissa entered the foster care system at the age of 17. A vic-tim of physical and sexual abuse, she was also coping withthe death of her guardian. Unfortunately, the situation wasless than ideal in her new home, where she also faced mis-treatment.

Even after exiting foster care and moving into housingthrough West End’s Life Lines program, Melissa still foundherself haunted by fears of succumbing to the schizophrenia,severe depression and disability that plagued her mother. Shealso struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide, whichshe managed with medication and the support of mentalhealth professionals.

Despite these challenges - and thanks to assistance from theLife Lines housing program — Melissa earned her highschool diploma and is now safely housed and supported.Since entering the program, she has achieved mental healthstability, and this year will graduate from beauty school andreceive her licensure in cosmetology.

“Bright Spot Ventures will make a positive difference in the lives of fosterchildren transitioning to adulthood.

West End Neighborhood House has atradition of helping those in need and I am proud to see this new program inaction — giving these young studentswith bright futures the tools they need

to reach their next step.”

— U.S. Senator Tom Carper

Services• Transitional & Permanent Housing• Case Management• Crisis Alleviation• Advocacy• Vocational Training• Bright Spot Ventures Social Enterprise

9,000number of clients

served by West End in 2012.

150number of formerfoster care youthserved by WestEnd’s Life Linesprogram in 2012.

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Youth DevelopmentCJ Cochran never planned on going to college. Andalthough he wanted to join West End’s ‘AboveXpectations’ track team, there was a problem — hisgrades. Nonetheless, Coach Antwain Flowers allowed himto compete and immediately began helping him improvehis Math scores.

Before long, CJ’s grades improved and colleges all over thecountry were recruiting him. Then, at a national trackmeet in August of 2012, CJ placed 1st in the 400 meterhurdles — ranking him 1st in the NATION for that event.Shortly thereafter, he accepted a full, four-year scholarshipto attend a local university. CJ credits his experience onWest End’s Above Xpectations track team for the positiveinfluence on his life.

“West End Neighborhood House has been a key player in making our City a better place to live and work.”

— Fred Sears II, President and CEO,Delaware Community Foundation

Services• Substance Abuse Prevention

• After School Recreation & Enrichment

• Summer Camp

• Carrera Youth Achievement/Teen Pregnancy Prevention program

508number of youth who

participated in SummerCamp, Evening and/or

Weekend extracurricularactivities in 2012

“Being a part of AboveXpectations changed my lifebecause it taught me a great

deal of life lessons that I wouldnot have been able to learnanywhere else. The coaches

guided me in positive directionswhich enabled me to attendDelaware State University

with a scholarship.”

– CJ Cochran

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CommunityDevelopment

Throughout 2012, West End Neighborhood House,Cornerstone West, CDC, and the residents, organizations,institutions and businesses of Wilmington’s West Side* decid-ed to effect positive change and create a more hopeful futurefor their neighborhoods by building a common vision andworking together. The result of this collaboration was theWest Side Grows Together Initiative — a network thatincludes representatives of neighborhood associations, busi-nesses, neighborhood planning councils, and institutions, aswell as over 1,000 of the West Side’s approximately 14,000 res-idents. In the summer of 2012, the West Side Grows Togethercoalition released a 10-year comprehensive neighborhoodrevitalization plan focused on the following priority areas:

• Supporting Businesses & Creating Jobs• Revitalizing Parks & Creating Community Gardens• Strengthening Housing• Promoting Health• Building Community• Creating Opportunities for Youth

To read the entire West Side Revitalization Plan orExecutive Summary, visit the following links:

West Side Revitalization Plan: http://tinyurl.com/westsideplanExecutive Summary: http://tinyurl.com/westsidesummary

*The West Side includes the neighborhoods between PennsylvaniaAvenue and Lancaster Avenue and between N. Jackson St. and the rail-road tracks west of Bancroft Parkway.

“People need to belong tosomething they can holdtheir heads up about... we’re in this together.”

— West Side resident

1,000number of West Side indi-

viduals & organizationsthat contributed to creat-

ing the West SideRevitalization Plan.

Penny F. Marshall, Esq.President

Mary Ann MillerSecretary

Susan TerranovaVice President

Ryan BarryTreasurer

West End Neighborhood House • 710 N. Lincoln Street • Wilmington, DE 19805

2012 - 2013 West End Neighborhood HouseBoard of Directors

Michael A. Albero, (CPA, MST)Carol AndersonJeff ArgusErin J. Boggs, Esq.Michael B. ClarkMilton Delgado, EdD, MBANino DiRienzo

David HoldenKevin M. PalladinettiMarc PelletierPatricia L. QuannSurinder P. SinghJudith A. SmithSherri D. Tull-Hubbard

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERSThomas L. Ambro, Esq.William (Bill) BeckWilliam Di Nardo, Jr. Linda D. FarquharDoug GramiakRobert V.A. Harra, Jr. Theresa A. HassonEdmond M. Ianni Jean M. Lewis Carl Mazzarelli, Sr.

John P. McMenamin Carolyn McNeice, Esq.James PaoliPhilip S. ReeseR. Craig StablerLaura StarkVincent L. Strano Greta D. White Kathleen D. WilhereLeonard J. Young, Jr.

IN FOND MEMORY OF OURLATE BOARD MEMBERSPaul Andrisani, Azalia Briggs and Paul E. DiSabatino

Celebrating 130 Years of Community www.westendnh.org302-658-4171