2010 Annual Report - Metropolitan Counseling Services

15 Years of Restoring Hope
2010 Annual Report
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear MCS Friends,
The year 2010 marked Metropolitan Counseling Services’ 15th year in operation – its
15th anniversary! Anniversaries are important milestones for many people, but as
we began planning the year’s activities, I wondered if it was appropriate for MCS to
celebrate it. As I thought about MCS’s extraordinary mission, the critical role it plays in
the community, and its growth and impact during this period, I soon realized it was the
ideal time to mark the occasion. Commemorating MCS’ first 15 years would provide us
the opportunity to recognize our permanence, reflect on our achievements, and express
our gratitude to all those who helped us reach this point. Indeed, MCS had important
reasons to proudly mark its 15th anniversary year.
First, MCS celebrated its place as a permanent part of Atlanta’s mental health
community. During its first year – 1995 – MCS provided 28 hours of clinical services
to clients. By the end of 2010 – its 15th – it had provided more than 26,000 clinical
service hours, serving over 2,200 people. The need for quality affordable counseling
and psychotherapy has grown. In recent years, continued underemployment and
unemployment and an increase in financial pressures have directly impacted the need
for mental health services. MCS has been there to help meet this need throughout, with
affordable, quality care.
MCS’ philosophy of providing affordable and quality mental health services does
not stop when a resident leaves. Our residents represent a new generation of
psychotherapists who continue their service to people with limited finances – long
beyond their training at MCS. The MCS mission has become the MCS legacy, as each of
our residents takes our model into their own practice, multiplying the number of people
we serve.
Table of Contents
MCS Makes a Move
A Delicious Mix
Restoring Hope: The Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation
A Strong System of Support
Night on the Town: Atlanta
MCS Honors Donors
MCS Celebrates 15 Years of Restoring Hope
Tribute to a Friend
Financial Highlights
Report of Private Giving
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MCS’ 15th anniversary also allowed us to focus on achievement and high standards.
People are Metropolitan Counseling Services’ priority. MCS is a warm and busy
organization that encourages consultation, learning and information exchange crucial to
ethical practice. MCS encourages its clients, as well, to experience that same courage
and acceptance, to accept the challenge to achieve their goals and to find the best in
themselves.
Most importantly, our 15th anniversary year gave all of us at MCS a chance to express
our gratitude to all those who helped us get
here. I am constantly inspired by the generosity
of our donors, volunteers, board, staff and
residents in service to people who suffer with
mental and emotional concerns. From the
teams of volunteers who distributed MCS flyers
and postcards to neighborhoods around the
city, to donors who make gifts both large and
small, to board members who make certain
we have the resources necessary to serve our
clients, to staff and residents who work every
day to encourage and help their clients grow
and change—we thank you! We invite you now
– through this report – to join us in looking at
our 15th anniversary – and all the reasons MCS
chose to celebrate it.
Sincerely,
Kathie Thodeson, MS, LPC
Kathie Thodeson, MS, LPC
Executive Director
Our Mission
Listening, Caring, Helping . . . Metropolitan Counseling Services (MCS) is a non-profit
center providing quality, affordable counseling and psychotherapy to adults in the
Metropolitan Atlanta area. MCS offers individual, couples and group psychotherapy
in a warm, safe and supportive environment on a low-cost, sliding-fee scale. Services
are offered for a wide variety of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety,
stress, childhood abuse and trauma, family and relationship issues, grief and loss, gay
and lesbian concerns, eating disorders and addiction recovery.
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MCS Makes a Move
With the lingering economic downturn resulting in a measurable and sustained increase
in the need for MCS services, the center began searching for a new and larger space
in late 2010. It soon found an ideal location and opened the doors to its new home
in June, 2011. The new space is larger and more functional, increasing its overall
capacity to serve clients and help foster positive change in their lives.
MCS’ new home has been designed to be highly functional. The new office has
an additional individual therapy room, its first group therapy room, and a larger
administrative area. The new space also offers a much-needed infrastructure upgrade
– things like more efficient air conditioning and heating – that will translate into direct
cost savings for MCS. Because the search for a new home took place in a depressed real estate market, MCS
was able to find a more comfortable and attractive space for clients, residents and staff
– for less than it had been paying. A number of new rooms are available as naming
opportunities for interested donors. Parking at the center is plentiful and will continue
to be free.
To assist with the costs of moving, MCS launched a “Moving Appeal,” asking the
community to help defray related expenses. Interested donors may make a gift online
with their credit cards, or “shop” for a gift through its “new home” gift registry. MCS
has selected furnishings and other office needs by cataloging each item on a “Wish
List.” To view the list or make a gift, visit www.mcsatlanta.org and click on “Moving
Appeal” under the Support Us menu. Both cash and in-kind gifts are considered
charitable contributions, and each gift will help MCS fulfill its mission of restoring hope
and strengthening the community.
Never too Late to Help
You can still help support the MCS move by
visiting the website to make a credit card gift,
or SHOP our new home wish list and purchase
your gift directly!
www.mcsatlanta.org/moving
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A Delicious Mix
The word is out! Mix a good cause – supporting MCS – with the opportunity to sample
fine wines and good food, and your event will be a success. Blend in three fun-loving
couples as sponsors, and see it break records!
The wine-tasting reception, hosted by Aimee and Nick Franz in November, attracted a
record-high number of guests and charitable dollars to benefit MCS. With an array of
fine wines from Hinton’s Wine Store, volunteers on hand from The Atlanta Wine School
to discuss each one, an elegantly appointed home and a generous selection of hors
d’oeuvres, the evening was a delicious mix. It was also a highly successful fundraiser,
with over $14,000 pledged to support MCS.
Chris Hinton of Hinton’s Wine Store was the evening’s Special Event Sommelier. Joe
and Janet King and Kathie and Paul Thodeson teamed up with Aimee and Nick Franz
to sponsor this event, which also helped raise awareness of the important work MCS
does in helping families and strengthening the community.
Opening Their Home
This year’s successful wine-tasting
fundraiser was held, for the second
time, at the home of Aimee and
Nick Franz.
www.mcsatlanta.org/donate
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Restoring Hope:
The Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation
Gifts to the Client Assistance Fund – MCS’ top funding priority - allow the center to
offset the minimal fees for counseling and psychotherapy that clients pay. This year,
the Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation pledged a $5,000 grant to support this
critical need. MCS exists to help troubled individuals or couples who need help most
but can afford it least, offering treatment for depression, anxiety, childhood abuse,
trauma recovery, family and relationship issues, and addiction recovery. All services are
provided on a sliding-fee scale based on a client’s income and number of dependents.
Fees start at $25 per therapy session, with the average client fee now just over $30.
But it actually costs MCS about $75 per session to deliver its services. The Client
Assistance Fund makes up the difference. With the lingering downturn in the economy,
MCS services increased 39% in 2010 over the prior year. This increase was met
through individual and corporate contributions – large and small. MCS is grateful to
the Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation for this vital funding, which enables MCS to
strengthen the community and restore hope for so many.
Strengthening the Community
The MCS impact is clear:
A stronger Atlanta community and an improved
quality of life for those living in it.
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A Strong System of Support
Imagine having both emotional and financial pressures, knowing you need counseling
help but being unable to afford it. For metro Atlanta adults who find themselves with
this dual dilemma, there’s Metropolitan Counseling Services. For 15 years, MCS
has been dedicated to providing mental health support – long-term counseling and
psychotherapy – to troubled adults with financial need. Last year alone, MCS provided
2700 hours of counseling to individuals and couples, fostering hope, restoring balance
and salvaging relationships. The MCS impact is clear: a stronger Atlanta community
and an improved quality of life for those living in it.
How does MCS do it? In addition to the essential private support that it receives,
MCS has a unique operational model that utilizes the skills and strengths of its
residents, who in turn, fulfill their Georgia state licensure requirements for three years
of supervised clinical experience. This symbiotic relationship enables MCS to deliver
quality, long-term, affordable counseling to its clients while providing a caring and
professional environment for its residents.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, MCS is an important resource for struggling
metro Atlanta adults with emotional concerns. It is also a highly-touted educational
resource for psychotherapists seeking state licensure. With the shared goal of building
a healthier, stronger community, MCS provides a support system far greater than most
people know.
Pillars in the Community
MCS staff members are leaders in their fields
who supervise the resident therapists. Clinical
Director, Kathy Steele, co-authored a new book,
“Coping With Trauma-Related Dissociation,”
that is now available to other professionals and
their clients.
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Night on the Town: Atlanta
Over the past few years, MCS has taken its friends and supporters to exalted cities across
the country, albeit in theme only, during its annual Night on the Town fundraising event.
But this year – its 15th anniversary – MCS brought it all back home when Atlanta became
the destination city for this fun-filled evening. Young H. Song, M.D., became the second
recipient of the MCS Caring Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions and
service to MCS since its founding.
This year’s event saw a record high attendance, as guests enjoyed southern charm at its
best! With a backdrop of music and the silent auction beckoning, the night was a spirited
mix of MCS friends – old and new – all interested in showing their support in this very
special year.
In presenting the MCS Caring Award to Dr. Song, Executive Director, Kathie Thodeson, cited
Dr. Song’s long-standing dedication to MCS. A respected private practice psychiatrist,
Dr. Song was a founding MCS Board member, helping MCS shape its clinical policy and
establish its early network of physicians and medical professionals. Dr. Song has also been
a generous financial contributor to MCS, naming the Office of the Clinical Director in 2007.
With expertise in the treatment of serious mental illness, geriatric psychiatry, cultural issues
in psychiatry and medication management, Dr. Song remains the consulting psychiatrist for
MCS.
Night On The Town Sponsors
Peachtree Level
Nick and Aimee Franz
Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates
Paul and Kathie Thodeson
UPS Supply Chain Solutions
Stone Mountain Level
KBM Rentals, LLC
Payment Recovery Services
Alyson Wooten
Chattahoochee Level
Malcomb and Tammie Coley
Fran Cullen, PC
Full Circle Fundraising, LLC
Drs. Richard Gann and Carol Lyle
Howard Gold and Lee Wilson
Long and Associates, LLC
Randy Oven, LCSW
Sean and Maureen
Richards
Nick and Elise Spina
Turning Point Healing
Center, LLC
Mike Wroblewski and
Kris Yacovone
Silent Auction Contributors
A Big To Do Event, Inc.
Adam and Rusti Klein
AirTran Airways
Alliance Theater
An-Chi Sun
Atlanta Cycling
Aurora Theatre
Barb Kowal with Aveda Perimeter
Benchmade, USA
C. Davis Photography
Charles Williams
Colonial Pines
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Dr. Young H. Song (left) receives heartfelt
congratulations from Kathie Steele for being
awarded the 2010 MCS Caring Award.
Silent Auction Contributors (Continued)
Duffy Home Inspection Service, Inc.
Emily Butcher
Empire State South
Erin Thibodeaux
Fabu Face Spa
Fresche Salon & Boutique
Gabriel Mont-Reynaud
Garden View Massage
Here 2 Serve Restaurant Group
Jonathan Callicut
Josh Batchelder
Just S.E.W.
Kaleidoscope Shop
Kokell’s Concierge
Kroger Co.
Kyle Collins
Lee Wilson
Leigh Broschat
Marty Wakeland
Maxine Hull
Mikey’s Painting
Ministry of Tiny Hats
Neiman Marcus
Patrick Loughran & Caroline Simonds
Paul K. Graham, CG
Paul Thodeson
Pet Gallery
Pilates @ ABC
Portofino
Radiance Medspa
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Savage Pizza
Score
Sherman’s Auto Repairs
Sister Scribe Writing Service
Susan Sadler
Taste of Atlanta
The Fresh Market
Tire City Potters
Topaz Gallery
Turner Broadcasting
Turning Point Healing Center
Van Michael Salon
Verde Taqueria
Wag-A-Lot
WellHome
Wine Shoe
World Toyota
Yoga Central
MCS Honors Its Donors
What motivates someone to make a gift to MCS? Sometimes, it’s because they’ve
been personally impacted by the center’s work, either as a former client or a family
member or friend of a former client. Other times, it’s simply because they appreciate
and want to help support the important work that MCS does in providing access
to mental health services for adults who are burdened financially. Whatever their
motivation, over 172 donors made a gift to MCS in 2010, support that enabled MCS
to help individuals, couples and families cope with troubling emotional issues and
provide them with the skills and insights needed to maintain healthy relationships. In
appreciation for their essential support, MCS held a reception in June to honor and
thank its valued donors. With so many friends on hand, it also seized the occasion to
celebrate its 15th anniversary year.
Valued Donors
MCS Executive Director, Kathie Thodeson,
acknowledged MCS supporters and friends
before she blew out the candles on the
MCS 15th Anniversary Celebration cake.
“Without our valued donors, MCS would not
be able to fulfill its important communitycentered mission,” she said.
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15 Years of Restoring Hope
MCS marked its 15th anniversary in 2010, an important organizational milestone, yet
a brief period of time in relative terms. Had it not been for a small group of dedicated
and visionary mental health professionals in 1995, MCS would not exist. And without
the staff, residents, board members, volunteers and donors who have helped shape,
grow and support the center since that time, it would not be the vital community
resource that it is today. That would be particularly sad, given its impact in the
metropolitan Atlanta community. The MCS story has many chapters yet to be written,
but on this occasion, we acknowledge and thank all those persons and organizations
who have helped us reach this point. Emotionally troubled individuals and couples
depend on MCS to help restore balance in their lives. MCS depends on you to help it
do that.
How You Can Help
Each gift – no matter how small – helps. To
make a gift online, visit:
www.mcsatlanta.org/support-us
The 2010 MCS Board of Directors
Mary Jo Alton
Anna Appleman
Linda S. Bair
Anne Bowen-Long
Allison Dawson
Mickey Desai, Chairperson
Stayce M. Harris
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Dave Hosking
Monica Long
Kenton Phillips
Alison Reed
An-Chi Sun
Alyson Wooten
The MCS Staff
Pictured, l-r, below
Executive Director
Clinical Supervisor
Kathie Thodeson, MS, LPC
Steve Harris, LCSW
Administrative Manager
Clinical Director
Ken Icklan
Kathy Steele, MN, CS
Chief Financial Officer & Clinical Supervisor
Administrative Director
Lisa Angert Morris, MS, LPC, CGP
Jennifer Frank Smith, MA, LPC
The MCS Residents
Pictured, l-r, below
Not Pictured
Ursula Chapman, MS, LAPC
Nancy Chase, Ph.D., LMSW
Nineshia Mont-Reynaud, MS,
LPC
Katie Cope, MS
Stefanie Speanburg, LMSW
Heather McCormack-Moon, MA,
MDiv.
Tim McDaniel, LMSW
Deborah Herberger, MS, LAPC
Catharine Alexander Wirth,
LMSW
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Tribute to a Friend
In August, 2010, a massive stroke took the life of longtime MCS friend and accountant,
Christine Peterson, at her home in Atlanta. The news shocked and saddened all who
knew Christine, who at age 58 left the world far too soon.
Christine served as the MCS accountant and a behind-the-scenes center leader for
15 years. She was an expert in non-profit sector accounting and played a pivotal role
supporting the center during its start-up period.
According to MCS CFO, Lisa Morris, “A grateful donor approached the center in 2000
with a $5,000 gift, assuming that we were already a tax-exempt organization. Christine
worked tirelessly to help MCS navigate swiftly and efficiently through the cumbersome
process of securing its 501(c)(3) status – a must-have IRS designation for non-profits
– filling out the application and setting up our 990s and tax returns. With her help, we
secured our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2001, accepted this first major gift, and
used it to help countless clients. She provided an incredible level of support for MCS
for 15 years, and we miss her terribly. Her personal and professional commitment to
her family, her employer and her community were unequaled.”
By all accounts, Christine also filled the leadership gap for MCS before it had a formal
leader. Until 2002, it was Christine who provided the center’s forward vision until it put
its first Executive Director in place that year.
Christine left an indelible mark on MCS: a legacy of vision, professionalism and
support. The MCS family extends its condolences to Christine’s friends and family, and
remains grateful to have had her in their lives.
Christine Peterson (1953 - 2010)
From the beginning, Christine Peterson was
an enduring friend and supporter of the MCS
mission. She will be missed.
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Financial Highlights
After first 5 years of operation, MCS had a budget of $ 24,245, received 0% non-client
fee revenue, and had provided 3,486 hours of direct service.
After 10 years of operation, MCS had a budget of $106,278, received 22% non-client fee
revenue, and had provided 11,500 hours of direct service.
Through 15 years of operation, MCS had a budget of $210,188, received 58% non-client
fee revenue, and had provided 26,028 hours of direct service.
In the last 5 years, MCS has experienced a 98% increase in budget, the percentage of nonclient fee revenue increased by 164%, and 126% increase in direct service hours provided.
Revenue 2010
Expenses 2010
42% - Client Fees
33% - Contributions
20% - Fundraising
4% - Grants
2% - Workshop Series
<1% - Other
24% - Salaries
17% - Clinical Supervision
16% - Fundraising
15% - Rent
14% - Operating Expenses
11% - Professional Fees
4% - Other
Five-Year Overview of Revenue and Expenses
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
- Revenue
- Expenses
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Report of Private Giving
For fifteen years, Metropolitan Counseling Services (MCS) has been dedicated to helping
restore hope to metropolitan Atlanta adults with financial need by making quality mental health
care accessible and affordable. MCS relies upon the generosity of donors large and small to
accomplish this. The entire MCS family gratefully acknowledges and thanks all those who
provided private support in 2010.
Organizations
United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc
The Richard C. Munroe Foundation
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
The Equifax Foundation
Long & Associates, LLC
UPS Supply Chain Solutions
Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates
Susan K. Cooper Charitable Trust
Payment Recovery Services
IBM
Truist
Turning Point Healing Center, LLC
Full Circle Fundraising, LLC
Fran Cullen, PC
Ernst and Young Foundation
Paige Brown and Company
Getting Along, Inc
Homrich Berg
Individuals
Donors for Hope
Nick and Aimee Franz
George and Jennifer Peterson
Paul and Kathie Thodeson
Donors for Optimism
Ed and Linda Bair
Greg and Mary Grace Heston
Chuck and Barbara Kowal
Sean and Maureen Richards
Donors for Change
Lee and Yolanda Adrean
Malcomb and Tammie Coley
Tom and Theresa Diasio
Randall Duncan
Steve Harris
John and Jill Kampfe
Joseph and Janet King
David and Lois Leeds
John and Karole Lloyd
Martin and Monica Long
Glenn and Jennifer Mitchell
Patrick Morris and Susan Bell
Kenton Phillips
Young Song
Nick and Elise Spina
Bernard and EveLyn Wedge
Gerald Wilson
Alyson Wooten
Donors for Empowerment
Anne Bowen-Long
Edwin and Terry Bennett
Susan Cooper
Spencer and Nancy Ferebee
Steve Haynes and Mary Jo Alton
John and Sue Marra
Michael and Katherine Maxwell
Tom Owdom and Annie Reinke
Brian and Dawn Pendley
Alison Reed
Mike Wroblewski and Kristine Yacovone
Donors for Caring
Thomas Abelew
Anonymous
Matt and Sue Anthony
Joe Barnes
Tony Bielawski
David and Erika Brookes
Paige Brown
Charles and Pamela Carver
Mundeep and Priyanka Chaudhry
Parasjit and Jashanjot Cheema
James Cochran
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Julie Collins
Kyle and Jennifer Collins
Seth Copeland
Fran Cullen
Harold and Karen Cunliffe
Michael and Allison Dawson
Mickey Desai
James Douglas and Amanda Milam
Daniel Fossitt
Gordon and Fulke Frank
Amelia Freeman
Donors for Caring (Continued)
Richard Gann and Carol Lyle
Taeko Genko
Bradley and Christia Gifford
Andrew and Gloria Glasser
Howard Gold and Lee Wilson
Randolph and Elizabeth Gregson
William and Kathleen Hagan
Sandra Hale
Lance and Carrie Hall
Stayce M. Harris
Myles Hassler
Steven and Margaret Hays
Ann Hazzard
Greg and Mary Grace Heston
Valerie Holmes
Terry Thompson Horn
Dave and Amanda Hosking
Richard and Suzanne Hurlbut
Travis and Linda Jackson
William and Nuala King
Stephen and Letty Konenkamp
Jack Lindsay
Glenn and Jennifer Mitchell
Masako Morita
Joel Morris and Lisa Angert Morris
Joshua and Erin Morris
Ward and Laura Morse
Michael and Beth Murdy
John and Sara Nastopolulos
Paul and Kathleen Neitzel
Connor O’Keefe
Nicholas and Myrna Orphan
Randy Oven
Howard and Katharine Pike
Regina Pike
Rob and Kara Pridgen
Anthony and Jennifer Rabb
Eddie Reece
Karen Reetz
Susan Russell
Thomas and Gwen Sacco
Robert and Kristine Sandage
Anne Smith
Lucas Smith and Jennifer Frank Smith
Frances Somerville
Kathy Steele
Cecil and Gwenneth Sterrod
An-Chi Sun
Reed Thodeson and Nadine Klein
Marty Wakeland
James White
Brent and Erin Wyper
Donald and Ellen Zimmerman
Donors for Support
Anna Appleman
Evelyn Buckley
Julie Carnes
Daniel Chandler and Megan Holder
Sarah Clamp
Judith Clements
Jeffrey Cohen
Edward Dobmeyer and Leslie Ward
Eileen Dubin
John and Johanna Frank
Heather Frazier
Tracy Glover
Sarah Hazlett
Karen Heim
Richard Kaplan
Jane Kourkoulis
Chris Kowal
Richard LaMadeleine
Craig and Jennifer Langwell
Christopher and Carol Susan McEntee
David Nelson
Nirali Patel
Lillian Pelligrino
Paul and Brunhilde Perry
Pisha Reardon
Ted Rubenstein
David Sabo and Wang Xu
Susan Sadler
Susan Scheer
Rachael Sparrow
Darren and Kim Strozier
Kim Taff
Margaret Taylor
Christine Tegtmeier
M and B Twiner
MP and GJ Veneziale
Alyce Wellons
Y Williams
Chad and Nicole Wiseman
Gregory and Tara Wyman
Brent and Joyce Yamaato
Joseph and Erin Yancey
In-Kind Contributors
Ed and Linda Bair
Nick and Aimee Franz
Joseph and Janet King
Paul Thodeson
In Memory of James R. Loughran
Nick and Aimee Franz
Howard Gold and Lee Wilson
Richard and Suzanne Hurlbut
Chuck and Barbara Kowal
Alison Reed
Tom Owdom and Annie Reinke
Thomas and Gwen Sacco
Susan Sadler
Nick and Elise Spina
Kim Taff
Mike Wroblewski and Kristine Yacovone
For more information about MCS, or to make a gift, visit www.mcsatlanta.org. MCS is a 501c3
organization, so all gifts to support its mission are deductible as charitable contributions.
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2801 Buford Hwy, Suite 470
Atlanta, GA 30329
www.mcsatlanta.org