2015 Annual Report - Youth Life Foundation of Richmond

2015 Annual Report
Developing leaders by making long-term investments in children from at-risk communities.
Nurture the Child
Strengthen the Family
Rebuild the Community
Dear Team,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
At YLFR we have to trust the Lord for many things: our students, our finances, and our partnerships.
Many times I don’t understand why something has happened, where the money will come from for the
needs that we see, or whom we are supposed to be in relationship with to see this mission fulfilled. But I
do trust that God sees and knows all of these things.
My heart hurts often as I hear about challenging circumstances our families are going through. I get
scared and am tempted to worry about the safety of our students when things such as a rash of gun
fire and murders occur around our communities. I personally hurt as students that I am close to suddenly shut me out and stop communicating and meeting with me.
All of these things show me the reality that I cannot fix people or circumstances, and I have to rely on
the Lord daily. This is humbling and difficult yet freeing, all at the same time. I need to be faithful to
God’s calling to engage in caring for my neighbors and community, and I need to depend on God for
the results.
What fears are holding you back? As you look through our reflections of 2015, you can see that there
are many ways that you can partner with YLFR in 2016. Have you wanted
to mentor, partner financially or increase your current commitments?
Don’t hold back – trust God for the strength, resources and especially the
results. He is faithful!
Thank you for all of your support – we have seen God’s continued faithfulness in our elementary Learning Centers and the students’ growth with
our middle and high school programs. Because of your financial commitment and volunteer service, we have been able to serve close to 90 students in 2015!
Heather Goodlett, Founder and Executive Director of YLFR
Board Members
2002
Taylor Bates, Chairman
George Wigginton, Vice-Chair
Johanna Linkenhoker, Treasurer
Leigh Peterson, Secretary
Heather Goodlett
Jon Regrut
Matt Lorish
Donald Richard
2003
The first
Learning Center
opens for
elementary
students in
Delmont Plaza
Apartments
Edith Allin
Liz Siebers
Katharine Hunt
Charity Smith
Amber Hartman
Bethany Marcelle
Leahna Sullivan
Jessi Sakamoto
2009
YLFR begins
Youth Life at
Night after
hours for
middle and
high school
Erin Brown
Avery Torres
Corinne Tucker
Anita Holloman
Contact
www.ylfr.org
PO Box 15202
Richmond, VA 23227
(804)228-1620
Highland Park
Learning
Center opens
in Northside
Outreach
Center
2008
Staff
Heather Goodlett
Youth Life
Foundation of
Richmond is
established
Launch of LC
Remix, fulltime program
for middle
and high
school
2013
2014
Northminster
Learning Center
opens in the
Brookland Park
neighborhood
2015
LC Remix
expands to
create a
separate high
school
program
“My favorite part is the one-on-one time
spent with my student. The loving atmosphere is wonderful to experience.
The ‘whole child’ concept of a program
that focuses on spiritual, academic and
personal goals is outstanding.”
-YLFR Mentor
“It’s all about
consistency
and time spent with
kids.”
-YLFR Mentor
Mentor Spotlight: Athena & Kasia
Every week for the past two years, University of Richmond student, Athena Cochinamogulos could be
found at Youth Life’s Remix Learning Center. During her first year, she volunteered with our elective
groups, helping with a sewing class and a careers exploration elective. During her second year, she
started mentoring Kasia Carrington, an 8th grade student at Henderson Middle School.
Reflecting on her experiences at Youth Life, Athena writes, “I have grown and learned so much about
myself, injustice, and God's redeeming love. My relationship with Kasia has been transformative and
healing for both of us. During the past couple years we have talked about everything: differences in
culture, family life, and education. We have cried, laughed, and sometimes even argued, but above all
we have loved each other. It is truly bittersweet as I graduate college and relocate as well as witness
Kasia’s transition to high school. However, I know that the things we have shared will never be forgotten, and the parts of ourselves that we share with others will carry into subsequent relationships. I have
seen Kaisa become a more confident, bold, and skillful young lady and it has been an honor to witness
this and be part of it. I am blessed to know that I left something with her that will impact all who she
comes in contact with just as she has impacted me. Thank you Youth Life and thank you Kasia. I will
never be the same!”
Athena poured not only her time but her heart into Youth Life, and we are grateful for her!
“Youth Life helps so many kids and families. The faith-based
learning and academic help all the children receive is great
and the staff and mentors are awesome!”
-Lakeisha Law, YLFR parent
Student Spotlight: Jahleel
To raise a young man of character in the neighborhoods we serve is a real challenge. That challenge is
being met in one of Highland Park’s students. Jahleel, a fifth grader, started at the Highland Park
Learning Center two years ago. He too has felt the pull of his friends and classmates to do wrong. He
too has succumbed to the desire to be like everyone else even if they’re not doing what he knows to
be right. With our influence alone, ensuring that kids like Jahleel make right choices in their lives is a
daunting task. It really does take a village to raise a child.
Thankfully the best case scenario is in place for Jahleel, where his “village” is all on the same page,
working cohesively to firmly form Jahleel’s identity in Christ and His righteousness. His parents are
strong Christians. Active in their church and within the neighborhood, they are proactive in their kids’
lives, seeing the best in them, believing the best for them, and expecting the best of them. This past
year Jahleel was accepted into St. Andrew’s School, a Christian private school, where he has excelled
socially and academically. At the Learning Center he has been setting the highest example of leadership for a group that includes four new younger boys who look up to him as the oldest. As this young
man’s character is being formed he is exemplifying the diligence, respect, kindness, and joy that in turn
are shaping others.
“As a parent with a child in the Learning
Center, I witness first hand the opportunities
that help my son, Jahleel. He has developed
confidence and been on the Honor Roll. So
as a parent, I am truly blessed and thankful
for the Learning Center. As a mentor, being
able to share my time with my mentee and
to help him develop and learn makes an impact on his life at an early age, giving him
the opportunity to thrive and be successful.
I would encourage anyone to witness what
the Learning Center is doing. It has given
me the opportunity to express my talent as
a mentor and make an impact with my
mentee and to see the development of my
own son's life.”
-Jamarr Henley,
Jahleel’s dad & YLFR Mentor
Special Events 2015:
8th Annual I Have a Dream Celebration
Our 2015 I Have A Dream celebration was just that! It was beautiful to see such a large and diverse
crowd come out to celebrate who God has made our students to be. Parents, mentors, board members,
community members, teachers, and friends filled up Atlee Church-Northminster in the middle of a snow
storm to celebrate our kids. From sweet kindergarten speeches to raps by our older students to shy 4th
grade singers to fearless dancers we rejoiced in the talents and dreams of each of our kids. We raised
$2,684, the most we ever have at an I Have A Dream event. Students
were thrilled to see their art in our art auction and excited that it
meant money for summer program. We ended the night with a profound time of prayer over our students thanking the Lord for the
unique calling and gifts he has placed in each of them. It was well
worth braving the blizzard!
“My son is more sure of himself and
more responsible and has learned
more about God—it just beams off
of him!”
-Raquel Smith, YLFR parent
Darrell Green Celebrity Golf Classic
This year we opened the event the evening before at the gorgeous new Resident’s Club at Hallsley. As
one of our top sponsors, Hallsley provided a beautiful venue to host our celebrities, top sponsors, and
wonderful volunteers for a delicious spread put out by Brickhouse Diner. Both that evening as well as
the entire next day the vision of YLFR was clearly presented and people responded with generosity! For
the second year in a row we had to utilize both Brandermill and Birkdale Golf Courses and we could not
be more thankful for owner Mike Hatch and his staff for helping us to raise as much money as possible.
We had 41 teams, 164 golfers, and 80 celebrities. We raised almost $50,000 for YLFR.
A special thank you to all who participated and to our wonderful $10,000 Presenting Sponsors: George
Mason Mortgage and Hallsley; Executive Sponsor Creative Color; and Corporate Sponsors: Achieve 1,
Costen Floors, and Family Practice Associates of Chesterfield! Finally, a special thank you to our golf
chairs, Joe Dunn and Daniel Johnson and volunteer coordinator Tim Parent who made this event a success and excellent from start to finish!
“All kids learn in different ways and
sometimes one-on-one is exactly
what they need.”
-YLFR Mentor
Partner Spotlight:
VCU’s Richmond Teacher
Residency Program
The Delmont Learning Center has been
blessed to partner with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Richmond Teacher Residency Program this past year. RTR graduate students learn how to administer tests,
analyze data, and use the results to implement research-based strategies to improve students’ reading
ability. Dr. Christina Bartholomew, RTR’s Special Education track Program Director, and Dr. Michelle
Duffy, Assistant Professor in VCU’s Department of Teaching and Learning, have made it possible for
their students to implement these strategies with our kindergarten through fifth grade students at Delmont. During the day, the VCU students work with Richmond Public schools to increase student
achievement in urban communities and then set aside one afternoon a week to administer one-on-one
reading intervention with our students. The partnership began with testing in the summer of 2015 and
has since continued with weekly tutoring sessions. Dr. Bartholomew and Dr. Duffy hope to expand the
program by including Youth Life teachers and mentors in professional development opportunities so
kids can receive more intervention throughout the week. Thank you to all those involved in VCU’s RTR
program, staff and students, for working tirelessly to make this a possibility!
2015 Community Partners
AmeriCorps
Atlee Church, Northminster Campus
Barnabas Center
Bryan Innovation Lab, Steward School
Camp Hope
Capital One
Characterworks Theater
Christmas with the Redskins, Darrell Green
Foundation
Church Hill House
Derbyshire Baptist Church youth group
Destiny City Fellowship Church
East End Pregnancy Center
Feedmore
Feed My Starving Children
First Things First
GRASP
Harvest Renewal Church
The Heights Church
Henrico County Police Department
Hope Church
Kirby and Associates
Landmark Property Services
Legal Aid Justice Center
Mechanicsville Christian Center
Millennium Advisory Services
Mitchell Wiggins and Company
Northside Church of Richmond
Northside Literacy Initiative
Peterson Family
Pulmonary Associates of Richmond
Pump It Up Hanover
Real Talk
Redemption Hill Church Community Groups
Richmond City Parks & Recreation, Summer
Meals for Kids Program
Richmond Promise Neighborhood
Richmond Public Library
Shalom Farms
Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN)
SB2Dub Citikidz Camp
Summit Church
Taylor Bates Photography
Toys for Tots
“The Learning Center has meant a lot to me. It’s fun and it’s helping me and I am improving in school. My mom tells me that a lot.”
-Deidre, YLFR student
From the Chairman of the Board
This past fall members of the Board of Directors began a process of strategic planning with the goal of
vision casting for the next five years. This process was very intensive but resulted in a document and
vision that is very exciting for our fantastic organization.
The Board sees our current state and how we are at a critical tipping point. In the past few years we
have opened up a middle and high school program, added the Northminster Learning Center, as well
as additional staff to support it. In order to sustain this growth we have also seen an increase in financial
and physical support, by way of mentoring. We want to continue to build on these successes and ensure that each child is being nurtured, but we would also like to see more children become a part of the
Youth Life family. We are getting there and the momentum is building! I am encouraged, and hope you
are also, knowing that the gifts of time, talent, and financial resources that are being given to this organization are having great returns - both here on earth and for eternity.
I invite any questions that you have about our vision and goals, or if you would like to see our strategic
intent document, please contact me at [email protected].
Taylor Bates, Chairman, YLFR Board of Directors
(Community Partners, continued)
University of Richmond, Chemical Society of
Student Associates
University of Richmond, Bonner Center for Civic
Engagement
University of Richmond, Campus Police Department
University of Richmond, Kappa Alpha Sorority
University of Richmond, Kappa Delta Pi
University of Richmond, Youth Life Mentoring
Organization
University of Richmond, Rotoract Club
University of Richmond, Swim Team
University of Richmond, Urban Education Fellowship
Virginia Commonwealth University, Students
Helping Honduras
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Teacher Residency Program
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Mentoring Partnership
West End Assembly of God
Wheless Family Foundation
Young Life
Individual Donors
Shelby & Rachael Abbott*
Thomas & Edith Allin*
Charles & Lynne Baker
Lindsey Barr*
Joseph & Christina Bartholomew
Steven & Carol Bashore*
Anthony & Lukeythia Bastardi
Robert & Alexa Bates
Sheldon & Taylor Bates*
David & Theresa Bell
Ryan Bendele*
Eugene & Betty Bernshausen
Richard & Julia Bird
Anne Bonner
Warren T. Bowman*
Sharon Branch
Matt & Mary Lou Bristol
Les & Connie Brown*
Dr. Mavis Brown
Michael & Sara Brown*
Candace Buchanan*
David Burchard*
James & Jenni Cane*
Kevin & Meghan Capehart*
E.C. Carver
Joshua Carver
Karen Christopher
Dell Claiborne
John & Pamela Cobb*
Richard & Nancy Collins
Kristin Constanza
Andrew & Mary Hampton Cook
Barry Dai*
Susan Daniel
Ginny Deise
Shirley K. DeRoco
Matt England & Liz Donohue*
Charles & Sue Dow
Stephen & Kelsi Drake
Richard & Marsha Dunlap
Joseph Dunn
Lauren Earley
Hannah Easter
Tim & Laura Edmisten*
Lisa Eggert
John & Gishlaine Eichhorn
Kiere & Mary Beth El-Shafie
Sara Elson
Candice England
Daniel Fairley
Mark & Cindy Fero*
James Fifield*
Daniel & Micaela Folkes
Jason & Sarah Forest
Bill & Rita Francavilla
Rudy & Catherine Garcia*
Stephanie Glenn*
Raymond & Heather Goodlett*
Rayshawn & Tiffany Graves*
Daniel & Caitlin Gritsko*
Aaron & Becky Hartman
Amber Hartman
Robert Hartman
Stephen & Brittany Hess*
John & Nancy Hines
Christopher Hodge
John & Bethany Hong*
Walter & Julie Hope
Carol House
David & Cindy Howell
Graham & Laurie Howell
Christopher & Sarah Howell
David & Charleen Huguet
Bo Hundley
John A. Hundley
Katharine Hunt*
Paul & Elizabeth Hunt*
Norman & Nancy Illian
Dave & Naomi Jackson*
David & Jacqueline Jiminez
Daniel & Meredith Johnson
Ethel Johnson
Jerry & Alex Kane*
Hyo Kang*
Thomas Kazas*
Michael & Cortney Keebaugh*
Mary Knapp
Michael Knapp
Stephen & Lindsay Krieger*
Karl & Victoria Kuester*
Edmund Kurtz
Abram & Sarah Landes
Ashley Landes
David & Ann Lee
Grace Leonard*
George & Johanna Linkenhoker*
Al & Michelle Llorens*
Matt & Kellie Lorish
Andrew Lyell*
Craig MacIvor
Adam & Kerrissa MacPherson*
Walton & Lisa Makepeace
Rebecca Malone
Richard & Stacy McGrath
Grace McLain
T.G. Melton
Colby & Lauren Miller
Colin & Sharon Morris
Dan & Marilyn Nase
Christopher & Emily Nelson*
Zachary & Blair Nelson
Mike Newberger
Gregory Olson*
Ella Parsons
Chris Pearson
Kaya Peterson
Terren & Leigh Peterson*
Don & Julie Piche
Ryan & Cara Pick*
Monica Pitrelli
Daniel Plunkett
Lawrence Plunkett
Cassie Price*
Tracy Provost
Lon & Mary Ann Rademacher
Eric & Audrey Reeves
Jon & Stephanie Regrut*
Matt & Alli Rei*
Dallas Hugh & Margaret Reid
Donald & Maggie Richard*
Brian & Kristin Richardson*
Pamela Ripley
John & Deborah Ritz
Mignon Robinson*
Gilbert Rosenthal
Josiah & Rachel Routhier
Rebecca Rowe*
Katelin Saalfeld*
Sue Saalfeld*
Amy Schad
Myesha Schirmer
Ryan Schneider
Verne & Donna Schneider*
Rick & Carly Schofield*
Joshua Sennett*
Alice Sheridan*
Daryl & Stephanie Shetterly*
Katherine Sieben
Jeffrey & Elizabeth Siebers*
Jeff & Kristen Singley*
Patrick Sobczak*
Jonathan & Cary Sorah
Corrie Spoon*
Michael & Jill Souder
Brandon & Lindsay Spurlock
Stuart E. Sweitzer
William & Erica Taylor*
Michael & Sharon Thaler
Judy Thudium
Timothy & Anna Tonn*
Corinne Tucker
Karen Tucker
Don & Linda Turner
Adam & Marianne van Auken*
Edward & Susan van Dolsen
Jerry & Mary Venable*
Brian & Tonya Venuti*
Andrew & Elizabeth Walker*
John-Mark & Meg Walker*
Kimberly Walker
Oscar & Beverly Walker
Michael & Karen Wasch
Darrell & Catherine Waugh
Jeff & Jen Weese
Mark & Amelia Wehunt*
Austin & Wendell Welder*
Michael & Kathleen Whisner
Joseph & Nicole Wiegold*
George & Jamie Wigginton*
Gary & Whitney Williams*
Jason & Katie Williams
Francis & Adrian Woods*
Everett & Kirby Worthington
John & Ruth Worthington
Eric & Katrina Young*
*Monthly Partner
Churches
Atlee Community Church
City Church of Richmond*
Clover Hill Assembly of God*
Commonwealth Chapel
Fairfield Presbyterian Church
Grace Community Presbyterian Church*
Harvest Renewal Church*
The Heights Church
Hill City Church
Hope Church*
Mechanicsville Christian Center*
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Northside Church of Richmond*
Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian Church*
Redemption Hill Church*
Third Church
West End Assembly of God*
*Monthly or Quarterly Partner
Foundations &
Corporations
AmazonSmile
America’s Charities
ArchGroup Inc.
Association of Builders and Contractors
Bank of America
Bates Orthodontics
Benevity Community Impact Fund
The Clark Family—Bank of America
Dominion Foundation
First Eagle Investment Management
GFH Insurance Agency,
GlaxoSmithKline Foundation
JustGive
Landmark Property Services
Live to Serve LLC
Maggie’s Misc. Events
Memorial Foundation for Children
Merck Partnership for Giving
Network for Good
Pediatric Dental Specialist
Property Investment Advisors, Inc.
Pump It Up
RECO Foundation
Schwab Charitable Fund—Richard &
Sudan Randolph
The Community Foundation
Trinity Group Construction
Truist
United Way Combined Federal Campaign
United Way Commonwealth of
Virginia Campaign
United Way Greater Richmond and
Petersburg
University of Richmond Kappa Delta Pi
University of Richmond Urban
Education Fellowship
University of Richmond Bonner Center
for Civic Engagement
Vanguard Charitable
Wheless Family Foundation
Golf Tournament
Sponsors
George Mason Mortgage ($10,000)
With Bill Landon, Monty Nelson
and Joe Dunn
Hallsley ($10,000)
Fred D. Thompson ($5,000)
Family Practice and Associates ($2,500)
Costen Floors ($2,500)
Achieve 1 LLC ($2,500)
W.V. McClure, Inc. T/A Main St
Homes ($2,000)
Creative Homes Concepts LLC ($2,000)
Harring Construction Co. ($2,000)
Homesmith Contruction LLC ($2,000)
Biringer Builders ($2,000)
Ray A. Williams Construction ($2,000)
Perkinson Homes ($2,000)
Hometown Realty Services ($2,000)
Daniel Johnson ($2,000)
AnneMarie Hensley ADH LLC ($1,500)
MF Moorman Family Foundation
($250)
Clay Street Builders, LLC ($200)
Pleasants Hardware ($100)
Al Coleman ($100)
Team Sponsorships ($1,500)
SMRT MOUTH
Belfour USA Group, Inc.
Alcova Mortgage
Brandito Marketing
Colonial First Mortgage
Rick Schofield
Wolseley Industrial Group Ferguson
Enterprises
George Wigginton
GFH Insurance Agency
Les Brown
iStar Financial Inc./Magnolia Green
Lifestyle Builders & Developers &
TerraForge Communities LLC
Lawrence Kidd—single
River City Recycling
Beverage Cart Sponsors ($500)
Loveland Distributing
The Lewis Group of BB&T Scott &
Stringfellow
Mitchell Wiggins & Company, LLC
Ferguson Enterprises
Hole Sponsors ($250)
Hope Church
The Lewis Group of BB&T Scott &
Stringfellow—2
Frontline Exhibits
Bates Orthodontics—4
Bio-Cat
Pamela Diemer
Cowan Gates
Holsten
SMRT MOUTH
Richmond Elite LLC
In-Kind Giving
Bill Gray (trophies)
Brickhouse Diner (lunch)
Pepsi (beverages)
Pearson (insurance & cars)
Panera (breakfast)
Uptown Alley (food)
Get Involved!
Volunteer. Intern. Serve. Donate.
Give 2 hours a week to mentor one of our students.
Spend 7 weeks with us teaching this summer.
Join the board or a committee.
Become a monthly or yearly partner.
PO Box 15202
Richmond, VA 23227
www.ylfr.org