state of the mission2013

2013
state of the mission
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.
Our Mission
Statement
Our mission is to empower and
equip single mothers with tools—
supportive mentoring, quality
resources and life skills
training—to succeed.
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 Brothers
Co-founders, Still Hope Foundation, Inc.
Thank you for helping
us provide HOPE.
our community partners
(2007-2013)
Message from Our Founders,
Tony & Monica Brothers...............................2
Board of Directors and Advisory Council......3
Community Partners ....................................4
Still Hope’s Three-Tiered Approach..............5
Making a Difference,
One Single Mother at a Time….....................7
Still Hope Celebrity Extravaganza.................10
our board of directors
our advisory council
Monica Brothers, Interim President, Executive Director & COO
Bethany White
Betty Wade-Coyle
Clarissa McAdoo
Jazzez Jones
Kelli Davis
Leah Dempsey
Lee Winslett, Jr.
Mary Ruth Clowdsley
Maria Moore-Bright
Dr. Patricia Moore-Harbour
Rita Cargill-Brown
– 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 & Associates
Danijel Velicki – The Opus Group of Virginia
Joyce Niles – Independent Agent, Mutual of Omaha and Lincoln Heritage
Lisa Harbour-Carter – Wynnewood Technologies, Inc.
L. D. Britt, MD, MPH - Eastern Virginia Medical School Dept. of Surgery
Mary Pat Liggio – Community Volunteer
Nathan Drory – Charles Barker Automotive
Nikema Carrero – Fitzwilliams Financial
Stephen D. Lentz – Stephen D. Lentz & Associates, PLC
Stephen D. Porter – Sentara Princess Anne Hospital
Tom Walker – WebTeks
Tony Brothers – National Basketball Association
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 Roads
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia
Portsmouth YMCA
Portsmouth Department of Social Services
Virginia Beach Department of Social Services
Chesapeake Department of Social Services
Make sure you note the following dates
on your calendar! There will be more
details provided in the weeks to come.
Save the Date 2014
January
• 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
Still hope foundation programs
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 Approach
Still 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, SelfAwareness, 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’s
for
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
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 m­­­­ay 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 likeminded 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.
• 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
still hope foundation making a difference, one single mother at a time…
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.
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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 Hope
Foundation 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
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.
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urney, J
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This work is accomplished primarily through workshops, learning
“My children’s
sessions, and mentoring that takes place on a periodic basis
father died, leaving me
or through individual plans established by single moms
to raise my children alone.
and mentors. Since the program’s inception in June of
I moved to Virginia from New
2009, we have assisted more than 1,000 participants
York after his death, and I needed
and hosted approximately 39 empowerment sessions.
a lot of support and encouragement.
Throughout this section, you will find snapshots
I wasn’t looking for any monetary
capturing some of these events.
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
9
“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.”
To aid our efforts, Still Hope hosts its Annual Celebrity Weekend
Extravaganza – the organization’s signature fundraiser event.
–Toiya Sosa, GEICO, Public Affairs/Community
Relations Manager and Young, Bold & Beautiful,
Founder/CEO
CELEBRITY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA
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.
11
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.
12
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.
Finally, our proudest moment of 2013, was finding a place to call
our own on W. Tazewell Street in Downtown Norfolk. Having
Still Hope Foundation with a warm,
welcoming, and comfortable environment
this provides
where we can better serve mothers and
their children.
13
14
still hope thanks its many supporters and partners!
95.7 R&B
A. Reddix & Associates
All N One Consulting, Inc.
All “Anonymous” Partners
Anjella Paulette Spa & Style Bar
Apollo Press, Inc.
Astro Entertainment
Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, Reginald
White
Bay Disposal
Barron Consulting
Bethany White, REALTOR
Boyer’s Diamond & Gold Supply
Bubba-N-Franks Smokehouse
Carlos A Howard Funeral Home
Charles Barker Automotive
Chesapeake Financial Services
City of Chesapeake
City of Norfolk
City of Virginia Beach
Color U
Commonwealth Employee Benefit Solutions
Congressman Scott and Teri Rigell
Cypress Creek Golfer’s Club
Diversity Restoration Solutions, Inc.
Dobil Laboratories, Inc.
Dr. Wayne Anderson
EDC
Extraordinary Events
Heineken
Howard Communications
J McFadden Event Design
First Med
Fleet Printing Services
Freedom Automotive
Friends of Kenneth Alexander
Gina’s Cupcakes
Hoffman Beverage Company
John Sduocos Organization
KRA
KRT, LLC
Max and Shana Vordenbaum
Memorable Events by Apryl
Met Life
Monarch Bank
Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church
Neal Roth
Next Level Referee Training
Nissan of Chesapeake
Occasional Pearl Events
ODU
OPUS Group of Virginia
Outback Steakhouse, Chesapeake Square
Photos, Etc.
Pomoco Automotive
Progression
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Sassy Properties, Inc.
Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
SL Nusbaum Realty
Southern Bank
SRHA
Strolling Silver Strings
Suntrust Bank
The Christmas Store, Smithfield, VA
The Dominion Foundation
The Holley Group
The KBD Group
The Livas Group
The Tetra Companies
The Truffle Shuttle
TMI Group
Triumphant Pictures
Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors
Bureau
Vision Communications
Wells Fargo
Women’s Center at TCC
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
YES Behavioral Health
Yizaz Jonez Productions
Z104
Zeppos & Associates
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 | [email protected]