state of the mission2013

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower and equip single mothers with tools—

supportive mentoring, quality resources and life skills training—to succeed.

Thank you for helping us provide HOPE. message from our founders

As children, Tony and I were raised by strong single mothers who sacrificed to provide stability and opportunities for us. We watched our mothers—Dorothy Brothers and Marian Bonner— prevail over the many challenges confronting single moms in their own personal journeys. What we did not understand at the time was the invisible inner-struggle filled with doubts, fears and uncertainty. We were fortunate, but never forgot.

As adults, we began to realize just how many women in our community are hindered by handicaps and disadvantages common to single mothers. This not only made us more appreciative of our mothers’ sacrifices, but initiated our resolve to provide hope and assistance to single mothers—to help lighten their load. Still Hope Foundation is a labor of love—our way of paying homage to our mothers—and a vehicle for single mothers to achieve their own personal hopes and dreams.

It is our honor and pleasure to serve single moms—of every race and economic status—to bridge the gap so that they, too, can provide better lives for their families. Throughout 2013, we witnessed the women in our program reunite with their families, receive personal mentoring to help them focus and reclaim their lives, enroll in college, become more self-sufficient and financially independent, and so much more!

This year marked Still Hope Foundation’s six-year anniversary and a year of significant transformation and successes. We committed our efforts to expanding our services to reach a larger population of women, and changing the perception and stigma often associated with single mothers. We developed new programs, formed strategic alliances, and created a solid infrastructure that will enable us to more effectively execute new initiatives in the coming year. We also increased exposure of our mission through the success of Hope Celebrity Weekend Extravaganza—our annual signature fundraiser. Another notable success was our move into our very own building on West Tazewell Street in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia.

Still Hope Foundation has accomplished so much—but it has only just begun. Tony and I are so grateful for the support of our donors and volunteers. These outcomes would be impossible without their help and support.

Thank you for helping us provide HOPE.

Tony and Monica BrothersCo-founders, Still Hope Foundation, Inc.

Message from Our Founders,Tony & Monica Brothers...............................2Board of Directors and Advisory Council......3 Community Partners ....................................4Still Hope’s Three-Tiered Approach..............5Making a Difference, One Single Mother at a Time….....................7Still Hope Celebrity Extravaganza.................10

Monica Brothers, Interim President, Executive Director & COO – Still Hope Foundation, Inc.

William Foster, Vice President – Towne Bank, Virginia Beach

Tara W. McGee, Treasurer – Titan America

Christine M. Bacon, Ph.D., Secretary – CMB Communications, Inc.

Andrew Nusbaum on behalf of Alan Nusbaum – S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. Angelia Williams – Vice Mayor, City of Norfolk

Barbara King Hart – Community Volunteer Bob McCabe – Sheriff, City of Norfolk

Carla M. Howard – A. Reddix & AssociatesDanijel Velicki – The Opus Group of Virginia

Joyce Niles – Independent Agent, Mutual of Omaha and Lincoln HeritageLisa Harbour-Carter – Wynnewood Technologies, Inc.

L. D. Britt, MD, MPH - Eastern Virginia Medical School Dept. of SurgeryMary Pat Liggio – Community Volunteer

Nathan Drory – Charles Barker AutomotiveNikema Carrero – Fitzwilliams Financial

Stephen D. Lentz – Stephen D. Lentz & Associates, PLCStephen D. Porter – Sentara Princess Anne Hospital

Tom Walker – WebTeksTony Brothers – National Basketball Association

our advisory councilBethany White

Betty Wade-CoyleClarissa McAdoo

Jazzez JonesKelli Davis

Leah DempseyLee Winslett, Jr.

Mary Ruth Clowdsley Maria Moore-Bright

Dr. Patricia Moore-HarbourRita Cargill-Brown

our board of directors

our community partners (2007-2013)

Tidewater Community College - Women’s Center Virginia Mentoring Partnership

Women’s Business Center - Business Gateway at Old Dominion University

HRPEN (Hampton Roads Parent Education Network)YWCA South Hampton Roads

Dress for Success Hampton RoadsCatholic Charities of Eastern Virginia

Portsmouth YMCAPortsmouth Department of Social Services

Virginia Beach Department of Social Services Chesapeake Department of Social Services

Save the Date 2014January

• She’source Workshop (1/11)• Mentor Forward Conference (1/25)

April• DORIAN Scholarship Award

May• Hope Empowerment Conference & Luncheon

August • Pack-A-Backapack Day

September • Still Hope Celebrity Weekend Extravaganza

November• Thanksgiving Basket Distribution

December• Still Hope: Toys for Children

Make sure you note the following dates on your calendar! There will be more

details provided in the weeks to come.

Still Hope Foundation, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) non-profit public charity established to reduce the parenting burdens faced by single mothers throughout the communities

in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The foundation’s goal is to empower and equip mothers with tools that will enable them to become self-sufficient. By providing supportive mentoring relationships, quality resources, and life skills training, Still Hope Foundation ensures that every mom is provided the opportunity to build a strong family unit. Women can find themselves parenting alone due to any number of circumstances, such as divorce, death of a spouse, marital separation, domestic abuse, or perhaps they were never married. Regardless of the circumstance, background, race or religion, Still Hope meets single moms where they are in their journey and helps them realize their goals and aspirations through support and mentorship.

The support of Still Hope Foundation’s corporate and individual partners provides the necessary resources essential to helping these mothers become and remain successful, independent, and productive family units. Still Hope prides itself on being a good steward of its finances by constantly

challenging the effectiveness of its programs for

improved productivity and leveraging community volunteers to serve as mentors and/or subject matter experts (SMEs), with a mission ‘to empower and equip single mothers with the tools to succeed.’

Still Hope’s ApproachStill Hope employs a three-tiered approach toward assisting single mothers—Journey for Success (JFS), Pathways and She’source. Each program focuses on a specific target group geared to helping women in seven focus areas: Parenting, Health and Wellness, Education, Financial Independence/Planning, Career Development/Job Skills Training, Self-Awareness, and

Self-Sufficiency.

Because we recognize that each woman’s

journey is unique, our approach to meeting their needs is to “meet them where they are.” Some mothers only need a nudge in the right direction, while others

require the hands-on support that comes with several months of

one-on-one mentorship. Sometimes the right path for one of our mothers requires some of

the elements found in Pathways and She’source. The path of each woman is determined and individually set during our comprehensive interview process.

Still hope foundation programs

• Empowerment Sessions• Mentor Forward• Dorian Scholarship Awards • Luncheon Series• Mentor Forward Conference and Luncheon• Hope Empowerment Conference and Luncheon • She’source Forum & Luncheon• Still Hope Celebrity Weekend Extravaganza • Still Hope Community Service Team• Pack-a-Backpack • Family Activity Series • S’Mom Time• She’source Circles

Journey For Success Target Group: a single mother transitioning from a crisis situation. This mother is emotionally and/or mentally healthy and is ready to transition out of an agency or social service program. She is trying to start anew and needs help navigating through life’s challenges with a step-by-step plan that offers hands-on mentoring, guidance, and tools for self-awareness and sufficiency.

Pathways Target Group: a working single mother. This mother is employed and she may or may not be in a low-paying job. She may, however, find her circumstances both challenging and overwhelming. Her challenges may include lack of education, job skills training, low self-esteem or a combination of these challenges that m ay inhibit her forward movement. She is looking for direction, mentorship and accountability to help her accomplish her dreams of earning a degree, becoming more marketable, and developing leadership skills.

She’source Target Group: a stable, working single mother looking to move up the corporate ladder or start her own business or non-profit organization. This mother is looking for mentorship, support and networking opportunities with like-minded women who are already successful in business and entrepreneurship. She is looking to acquire more proficient skills and business prowess, while trying to navigate her work-life-balance.

Each tier in Still Hope Foundation’s program offers unique elements, though there are some workshops and sessions that are applicable to all single mothers— regardless of the program they enter. Here are just some of the programs and events Still Hope employs to meet the needs of its participants.

Still Hope Foundation’s

for

PathwaysPathways

“ When I came to Still Hope

two years ago, I was homeless. Through the

Journey for Success program, I gained my self-esteem

back because they encouraged me and told me I could

become whatever I wanted. Today, I have a place to live

and I’m attending Tidewater Community College full-time,

studying to become a substance abuse counselor.

Still Hope is a great organization. My JFS coach was there

for me when I needed someone to talk to and, one day,

I would love to become a coach to give back to others.

This program got me on the right track.”

– Lanette Thigpen, Journey for Success

Did you know that some of the world’s most notable figures were raised by single mothers…Alicia Keys, Olympic Gold Medalists Gabby Douglas and Michael Phelps, Bill Cosby, Adele, Matt Damon and our own President Barack Obama? Perhaps YOU have been raised by a single mom.

You don’t have to look very far to find a success story behind the hard work, hopes and dreams of a single mom doing the very best she could with what she had. Truth is, there might be many more stories like this if

Still Hope Foundation is able to fulfill its mission.

We have captured a few of those success stories from women right here in Hampton Roads. These women come from all walks of life. In some cases, the only common theme is they needed help—and because of our partners, sponsors, and volunteers—we were there to provide it. At Still Hope, we believe that impacting the life of one single mom can one day touch the lives of thousands.

Our examples show that, but it starts with helping one single mother.

Still HopeFoundation is an

organization willing to change to meet the changing needs

of our local single mothers. After six years of operations and

four years of providing programs to single mothers, Still Hope Foundation used 2013 to evaluate and critique its programs and services to the Hampton Roads community. Our methodology included surveys, focus groups, and interviews with

still hope foundation making a difference, one single mother at a time… “I’ve completed Still Hope’s Journey for Success Program and I am ready

to go to the next level because I’ve accomplished all my goals.

I have my own place; I’m working full-time and enrolled in Phoenix

University working toward earning a degree in human services.

When I first heard about Still Hope, I was trying to find myself.

They partnered me with a mentor who helped keep me focused

and gave me the extra push and encouragement that I needed.

Also, the women involved with Still Hope pull for and help each other.”

–Faith Curney, Journey for Success

stakeholders, program

participants, and organization staff and

management. We have always

recognized that single mothers come to us from a

variety of circumstances, but our programming did not sufficiently

capture this information early on. To that end, in 2013, we refined our program and built in measurable outcomes that enable us to assist our mothers in a more strategic manner, while employing standards and tools to track their successes, as they meet their goals.

CELEBRITY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA

9

“My children’s father died, leaving me to raise my children alone. I moved to Virginia from New York after his death, and I needed a lot of support and encouragement. I wasn’t looking for any monetary assistance; I just needed someone to talk to and help me through that difficult time. I wasn’t a single mother by choice, but I knew I had to get on with my life. Still Hope helped me get focused so I could achieve all my goals. I wanted to make more money. I was promoted within one year. I was living with my parents. I was able to move into my own place and now I’m getting ready to move into a larger place. I didn’t have a car; now I do. And, I wanted to go back to school. I’m now in my second semester of attending Old Dominion University, through their transfer program. The individual and group sessions were beneficial to me. They gave me what I needed to better myself so that I can take care of my family. Whenever I encounter single mothers, I always recommend Still Hope to them.”

–Nicole Walker

This work is accomplished primarily through workshops, learning sessions, and mentoring that takes place on a periodic basis

or through individual plans established by single moms and mentors. Since the program’s inception in June of

2009, we have assisted more than 1,000 participants and hosted approximately 39 empowerment sessions.

Throughout this section, you will find snapshots capturing some of these events.

“I have enjoyed an informal mentor/mentee relationship with Still Hope over the past year, through

my involvement with She’source.

I attended the She’source symposium and, from a mentee standpoint, was able to meet and network with women who work in government, colleges and universities. These women provided

me with valuable information and directed me to resources to help me sustain my organization. From a mentor standpoint, my

organization hosted an information table during the symposium, providing me with a wonderful opportunity to connect with

young women who were interested in starting their own businesses. I am grateful for those connections

and opportunities.”

–Toiya Sosa, GEICO, Public Affairs/Community Relations Manager and Young, Bold & Beautiful,

Founder/CEO

To aid our efforts, Still Hope hosts its Annual Celebrity Weekend Extravaganza – the organization’s signature fundraiser event.

The Celebrity Weekend Extravaganza provides a unique and lighthearted platform to share our mission, increase awareness and exposure, and raise additional funds to assist with programs throughout the year.

Traditionally held in September, the three-day event garners the support of generous sponsors and guests, as well as a host of celebrities and NBA, NFL, and MLB greats.

11 12

Finally, our proudest moment of 2013, was finding a place to call our own on W. Tazewell Street in Downtown Norfolk. Having

this provides Still Hope Foundation with a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment where we can better serve mothers and their children.

We have been fortunate to attract notables, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Sinbad, Katie Couric, Doc Rivers, Patrick Ewing, Anthony Anderson, Eddie Levert, and John King as supporters of the event and the foundation overall.

13 14

still hope thanks its many supporters and partners!

We ask that you consider giving the gift of hope, encouragement, and empowerment to the women we serve everyday through a financial gift. Visit our website at www.stillhopefoundation.org to donate online, call, or mail us.

Still Hope Foundation, Inc | 121 W. Tazewell Street | P. O. Box 3458 | Norfolk, VA 23514-3458 | 757. 963.5000 (p) | 757.963.5200 (f)| www.stillhopefoundation.org | info@stillhopefoundation.org

95.7 R&B A. Reddix & AssociatesAll N One Consulting, Inc.All “Anonymous” PartnersAnjella Paulette Spa & Style BarApollo Press, Inc.Astro EntertainmentAtlantic Bay Mortgage Group, Reginald WhiteBay DisposalBarron ConsultingBethany White, REALTORBoyer’s Diamond & Gold Supply Bubba-N-Franks SmokehouseCarlos A Howard Funeral HomeCharles Barker Automotive

Chesapeake Financial ServicesCity of ChesapeakeCity of NorfolkCity of Virginia BeachColor UCommonwealth Employee Benefit SolutionsCongressman Scott and Teri RigellCypress Creek Golfer’s ClubDiversity Restoration Solutions, Inc.Dobil Laboratories, Inc.Dr. Wayne AndersonEDCExtraordinary EventsHeinekenHoward CommunicationsJ McFadden Event Design First Med

Fleet Printing ServicesFreedom AutomotiveFriends of Kenneth AlexanderGina’s Cupcakes Hoffman Beverage CompanyJohn Sduocos OrganizationKRAKRT, LLCMax and Shana VordenbaumMemorable Events by Apryl Met LifeMonarch BankMt. Lebanon Baptist ChurchNeal RothNext Level Referee TrainingNissan of Chesapeake Occasional Pearl Events

ODUOPUS Group of VirginiaOutback Steakhouse, Chesapeake SquarePhotos, Etc.Pomoco AutomotiveProgressionRuth’s Chris Steak HouseSassy Properties, Inc.Sheraton Virginia Beach OceanfrontSL Nusbaum RealtySouthern BankSRHAStrolling Silver StringsSuntrust BankThe Christmas Store, Smithfield, VAThe Dominion FoundationThe Holley Group

The KBD GroupThe Livas GroupThe Tetra CompaniesThe Truffle Shuttle TMI GroupTriumphant PicturesVirginia Beach Convention & Visitors BureauVision CommunicationsWells FargoWomen’s Center at TCCWyndham Hotels and Resorts YES Behavioral HealthYizaz Jonez ProductionsZ104Zeppos & Associates