to view the 2014-2015 Annual Report

2015 ANNUAL REPORT
G u i d i n g Yo u t h To I n d e p e n d e n t L i v i n g
DIREC TOR’S MESSAGE
Greetings!
2015 marks Connections to Independence’s (C2i) five year anniversary!
According to Forbes magazine 8 out of 10 businesses fail within the first
18 months; not C2i, we are not only surviving, we are thriving!!
Over the last five years we have increased our partnerships from two to
over 20 different partner organizations and have diversified our funding
streams from one funding partner, Hennepin County, to more than 15.
C2i’s programming has gone from basic Independent Living Skills (ILS)
classes to a multi-faceted organization that includes youth leadership,
extended program services, and has become a leader in social and emotional well-being development with foster care youth.
All of these accomplishments are due to the incredible work, passion,
and dedication of C2i staff, board members, youth, and community
partners. If more people, organizations, and businesses collaborated
on a common cause, like C2i is focused on doing, the climate of our
community would drastically change for the better. If you’re reading
this letter, consider yourself part of C2i’s success. If it weren’t for our
“connections” C2i would not be thriving five years later. You will see
through the 2015 annual report how and why “connections” have been
an integral part of our success.
Thank you for your continued support of C2i and the amazing youth and
young adults we serve!!!
Warmly,
Jessica K. Rogers, Executive Director
Who We Are
At C2i, I get help with understanding housing, setting educational goals to get the job I want, and
understanding what I need to stay financially stable with how I want to live my life when I’m older.
Our Connection: Creating Opportunities
for a Brighter Future!
Connections to Independence (C2i) works with youth and young adults
in Hennepin County ages 15-24, who are likely to or have come of age
in the foster care system. Our approach is designed to help youth deal
with the emotional and social impacts of being in foster care, while
helping them make a successful transition to adulthood. We strive to
provide youth with a positive youth development skill set that supports increased engagement and stronger social connections to create
greater instances of long-term success. C2i’s service goals are designed
to support a decreased prevalence of homelessness and recidivism in
youth when they exit the foster care system. Ultimately, when youth
exit C2i they will be able to support themselves and find the community
resources necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Key service goals:
Support the development of independent living skills;
• Provide youth with a connection to community, caring adults, and
culture; and
• Increase the development of character and positive values in young
people.
C2i wants youth to:
• Be able to state their own personal morals and values
• Identify and practice healthy eating, exercise, personal wellness:
physically and spiritually
• Create a positive and healthy circle of support
• Understand the importance of physical and mental health for their
own well-being: become thriving
I like how it’s diverse and I like the people that come to C2i. I like when we go on monthly activities.
I like how we learn to become independent. I like how everybody is in foster care, I can be myself and
know that other people are going through what I’m going through.
Why We Connect : Building a Sense of Belonging in
F o s t e r Yo u t h !
C2i’s approach helps youth deal with the emotional and social impacts
of being in foster care, while helping them make a successful transition
to adulthood. We strive to provide youth with a positive youth development skill-set that supports increased engagement and stronger social
connections to create greater instances of long-term success.
Our services support the disproportionate number of youth of color
are who are represented in the foster care system. According to a 2014
technical report from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court
Judges in Minnesota African American/Black and Native American children in foster care are 2.5 and 13.9 times (respectively) more likely to be
in foster care than the general child population.
Youth Self Reporting Shows:
• 73% of participants feel C2i services have helped them obtain
primary education and employment.
• 95% of participants indicated that they always depend on C2i staff.
• 100% of active participants have a youth saving(s) account.
I come to C2i to get away from my regular day life. It’s a family away from family. I like the speakers
and the programming. I like to interact with people that I have similar past and history with. I like to
talk to the staff they’re fun and they understand me.
H o w W e C o n n e c t : P r o v i d i n g Yo u t h w i t h
Resources to Thrive!
Our program design and activities work to increase the positive development of youth by using a holistic approach that includes personal
wellness in addition to a core focus on obtaining education, housing
and employment. Core services:
Teens (ages 15-18): Independent Living Skills programming is offered
through year round workshops, group activities, and individual support
that is based on the building of five (5) core competencies: Employment,
Education, Financial Literacy, Housing and Personal Wellness.
Young Adults (ages 18-24): Services provided for young adults 18-24
are referred to as After Care Services (ACS). ACS works to expand education support, finding and maintenance of housing, and help obtaining
sustained employment in a career field of interest.
We’ve had excellent outcomes in the areas of education and employment.
Our 2014 program evaluation indicated that 92% of participants received
their high school diploma or GED and 60% completed a post-secondary or
vocational program by the time of emancipation. Nationally only 54% of
foster youth get a high school diploma and 2% obtained a post-secondary
degree by the time of emancipation. C2i participants have also had remarkable employment outcomes 69% of emancipated participants are employed,
as compared to 51% employment nationally among those youth.
100
80
60
40
20
0
Education:
HS Diploma
or GED
Employment
Criminal Cases
w/Children
C2i Youth
National
I come to C2i I because I know I’ll get the financial and emotional stability that I wouldn’t get from the
County. I may get some financial help, but help with emotional issues I don’t get that from the county.
I spoke to a staff at C2i and had a family problem and they came up with resources and solutions in
25 minutes. That wouldn’t happen with the county. I know I can get help with self care and emotional
well-being that I won’t get with other programs. For a person like me who does not open up , I can take
my time because I’m not considered just a number. I feel more comfortable to open up at my own pace
and not the pace of the organization.
A C o n n e c t i o n t o C a r i n g A d u l t , C o m m u n i t y a n d C u l t u r e : C o m p e t e n t S t a f f, E x p e r i e n c e d P a r t n e r s a n d a Yo u t h C e n t e r e d E n v i r o n m e n t
Leadership
Jessica K. Rogers, Executive Director
Michelle May, Program Director
Staff
Maria Ahlgren, Resources Manager
Talicia Jackson: Program Manager
Andrew “Drew” Lemmie, Youth Leadership Coordinator
Olivia De Gruchey, Independent Living Skills Counselor
Highlighted Partners
Kente Circle—mental health has always been a barrier or challenge for this population. In 2015, C2i extended
its partnership with Kente Circle to include weekly group therapy sessions designed to help youth discuss trauma and
identify good mental health.
DHS and the Council on Black Minnesotans—supported our youth led Foster Care Awareness rally in June
2015. This initiative was designed to recruit more adoptive and foster families of African descent.
EJ Henderson Youth Foundation (EJHYF)—youth attended weekly workout sessions with a personal trainer
from EJHYF and held weekly conversations around healthy lifestyles.
C2i Board of Directors
Board Chair
Lisa Christianson, Christianson
& Company
Community Representative
Paul Tatro, Sisters of St. Joseph
Ministries Foundation Ex-Officio
Dr. Leo Lewis, Minneapolis
Public Schools
Board Vice Chair
Beth Forsythe, Dorsey & Whitney
Community Representative
Mark Criner, Northern Trust
Ex-Officio
Louis J. King, CEO-Summit
Academy OIC
Treasurer
Celia Clements, Clements & Associates
Community Representative
Kevin Ward, PresidentManagement HQ
Secretary
Janine Sanders Jones, Asst. ProfUniversity of St. Thomas
Partner Representative
Michael Forsythe, Wells Fargo Bank
Community Representative
Esther Mulder, Public Defender at
Hennepin County: Trial Attorney
Ex-Officio
Dr. Robert Jones, University
at Albany SUNY
Ex-Officio
Susan Ault, Casey Family Programs
Statement of Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Statement of Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Support
$ 95,202
Contributions
Grants $ 440,000
In-kind
$ 500
_________________________
Total $535,702
Support
$ 30,059
Contributions
Grants $ 515,200
In-kind
$0
_________________________
Total $545,259
Expenses
Program services $ 486,140
$ 65,537
Management Other Expense $ 9,464
_________________________
$561,141
Total Expenses
Program services $ 490,025
$ 41,966
Management Other Expenses $ 25,552
_________________________
$557,543
Total Net Assets: $160,002
Net Assets: $148,356
*Source: 2014 and 2015 Audit(s)
PA R T N E R S A N D S U P P O R T E R S
Agency Partners
AAA
Abundant Catering
Ampersand Families
Admin Solutions/ClientTrax
Bill Bayno & Toronto Raptors
Building Blocks
BNY Mellon
Canvas Health
Cardinal Carpet Care
Casey Family Programs
Central Bank
Children’s Law Center of MN
Christianson & Company
Comcast (Xfinity)
Cleary Consulting
DNT BLNK Innovation
Dorsey & Whitney
EJ Henderson Youth Foundation
Eastside Neighborhood Services
Family Alternatives
Green Mill Minneapolis
Jean Adams
John & Denise Graves Foundation
GM LLC
Hennepin County
Insight News
Jean Adams
Kente’ Circle
K & G Fashion Superstore
MajiMani
KMOJ Radio
Microsoft Store MOA
MN Department of Human
Services
MN Twins
MN Vikings
MN Timberwolves/Lynx
Lemar Cortez Clothing
Ribnick Furs
Networks Medics, Inc.
Penumbra Theater
Radisson Blu Hotel MOA
Right Choice Barbers
Right Choice Enterprises
Search Institute
Seven Steak and Sushi
Sauer Family Foundation
The CW 23 Twin Cities
The Imani James Group
Thrivent Financial
United Health Group
University of St.ThomasSchool of Social Work
State Farm Insurance
Summit Academy OIC
Wings Financial Bank
Foundations
Andrus Family Foundation
Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund
Casey Family Program
Minneapolis Foundation
Youthprise
University of St. Thomas
MN Community Foundation
Microsoft Foundation
MN Community Foundation
Mark and Charlie’s Gay Lesbian
Fund for Moral Values
MN Vikings Children’s Foundation
Mixed Roots Foundation
Sauer Children’s Renew Foundation
Thrivent Foundation
Otto Bremer Foundation
John & Denise Graves Foundation
Individual Donors
Angelo Williamson
Candice Tatro
Cecilia Clements
Bjorn and Christina
Engstrom
Dara Ruddick
DeAndre Johnson
Deborah Morrison
Denise Nelson
Donna Svendsen
Doreen Frankel
Ebony Wyatt
Elisa Rucker
Ellis Bullock
Erica Carver
Fred Legrand
Janine Sanders Jones
Jessica Smith
Joe Mudd
Jodi Anderson
Kevin & Lisa Armstrong
Kristine Hammer
Kristy Gourley
Larry Tucker
Lawrence Kitts
Len Roses
Lindy Yokanovich
Lisa Lissimore
Louis J and Beverly King
Luann and Larry Fransen
Marc and Jean Carrier
Mary May
Mathew and Elizabeth
Mohning
Michael Forsythe
Michael Hartford
Michelle Huntley
Nancy Flicek
Paul Tatro
Reed and Lisa
Christianson
Ruth and James Forsythe
Ruth Fransen
Sara Meslow
Sindiswa Georgiades
Sheila Olson
Stella and Conrad Jones
Susan Ault
Professional photography in this annual report is courtesy of Mary Rogers, Urban Nights Photography. Visit her website at http://mrogers8.zenfolio.com.
*Individual donors represent those who have donated $50.00 or more. A full list of supporters is available on our website at www.c2iyouth.org
Connections to Independence
310 E 38th Street #300
Minneapolis, MN 55409