Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Report

Success
Stories
2009-2010 Annual Report
87% of participating youth would tell a
friend to take part in Alternatives’ programs.
Dear Friends,
There are many ways to measure the success of a year.
We can look at it numerically, noticing that we once again served nearly 3,000
young people and their families. We can look at it financially, and be proud that
in such trying economic times we ended the year with a surplus. We can look at
it statistically, noting for example that 92% of youth participants learned positive
ways to deal with conflict, and 95% improved their ability to work with others.
We can look at it in terms of stories – and invite you to do the same on the
pages of this report. As important as the numbers are in gauging our success,
it is the individual tales of accomplishment, of growth and learning, that bring
home for us, and hopefully for you, the crucial and life-changing nature of the
work that goes on at Alternatives every day.
This year, Alternatives is undertaking a new project to build on our long
commitment to examining and measuring our outcomes as an agency. While
the diversity of our programs is a great source of strength and effectiveness,
it can also pose a challenge in terms of talking about what we do as a whole
organization.
The three outcomes every Alternatives program strives to achieve with youth
are: Connection, Confidence, and Knowledge.
Through our programs, young people form connections to community and
internal resources, to positive peers, and to positive adults. They build their
confidence – their sense of self-efficacy, self-sufficiency, and empowerment.
And finally, they gain knowledge, increasing their skills, their investment in
learning, and their understanding of how to make healthy choices.
In the coming year, we will continue to build new ways to measure these
outcomes. I look forward to reporting back to you on those statistics in our next
annual report!
Thank you, as always, for your investment in Alternatives and the young people
we serve.
2009-2010 Board of Directors
David Levine
Board President
Sabrina Lee
Board Vice President
Catherine E. Wilson
Psy.D., Board Secretary
Pamela Harrington
Mary Hoffman
Justine Knizeski
Marvin Korves
Andrew L. Mathews
Ellen Sadur
Laurence A. Sophian
Lynn Walker
Darran Wee
Catherine Weidner
Sincerely,
Judith M. Gall
Executive Director
A L T E RNAT I VE S
KNOWLEDGE
Making Dreams into Reality
A crucial component of Alternatives’ Career and
Employment Services program, Illinois Steps
AHEAD/GEAR UP helps young people seek out
and secure the education they need to pursue
their career dreams. When Salma joined the
program, she had only recently immigrated from
Ethiopia and spoke very little English. She felt shy
and like an outsider at school, but poured her
efforts into studying with tutors and Alternatives
staff, eventually coming into her own as a mentor
to other students and a leader in her school. In
2010, Salma graduated at the top of her class
and won a Gates Millennium Scholarship. She is
currently attending Northeastern Illinois University,
and plans to transfer to either UIC or DePaul to
continue her studies in Education Policy.
In 2009-2010,
100% of Alternatives
youth reported either
staying in school or
graduating.
Becoming a Real Leader
When Tanisha joined Girl World as a middle school
student, she brought with her a history of making risky
choices and hanging out with friends who engaged in
and encouraged unhealthy behaviors. Within one year of
coming to Girl World, Tanisha became not only an active
and positive participant, but an informal leader who is
often the first to step up and help out a peer in need. Most
significantly, Tanisha tells us that she now handles conflict
by walking away from risky situations or working to build
peace between the individuals involved.
Knowing What to Do
Jason was in a park near his school one afternoon with a
group of friends and acquaintances. Looking around, he
had the feeling that “something was off.” Remembering
that he’d heard from his Keepin’ it REAL instructors
that you should always trust that feeling, he used the
curriculum strategies – Refuse, Explain, Avoid, Leave – and
headed for home. Within minutes, gunfire erupted in the
park, and three people were shot. Jason says the work he’s
done with Alternatives staff helped him figure out not only
when to leave the situation, but how to do so safely.
92%
of Alternatives
youth learned
positive ways of
resolving conflict.
Stepping Up, Standing Out
CONNECTION
Femi came to Alternatives a shy young man who
knew that being smart wasn’t considered “cool”
by many of his peers. In Connect Force, he found
a place where his ideas and opinions were valued,
but remained somewhat of an observer as other
young people practiced the hip-hop arts including
breakdancing, DJing, rap and graffiti art. A staff
member, noticing Femi’s dedication to the program
but disinterest in being the center of attention,
recruited him to assist with the instruction of other
young people on the basics of DJing. The fit turned
out to be ideal, allowing Femi to develop social
skills and play a crucial role in the community and
program. This year, Femi took to the stage in a live
show, combining a slideshow of photographs he both
shot and developed with a showcase DJ set – and
wowing the crowd in the process.
85%
of Alternatives
youth developed
leadership skills.
Creating Peace
Alternatives’ Restorative Justice program enables
young people to get to the root of conflict and
create meaningful resolutions. After being arrested
and suspended for fighting, Roger and Lamon were
referred to Peer Jury to resolve their conflict and
manage a positive re-entry into the school. Before the
hearing began, the two started fighting again outside
the school. After that conflict ended, the jurors created
a circle which ended with Roger and Lamon agreeing
to work on their friendship, join the environmental
club to participate in cleaning up the paper mess
caused by their fight, shadow a security guard and
each meet individually with a counselor to work on
anger management. Lamon felt so positively affected
by the Peer Jury experience that he requested to join
Peer Jury and completed training the next semester.
92%
of participating
youth indicated that
Alternatives helps
them avoid negative
behaviors.
CONFIDENCE
Making Healthy Choices
When Danny turned 15, his mother recognized
that the community and his peers were not having
a positive effect on him and decided to move to a
new area. However, Danny often went back to the
old neighborhood to spend time with the friends
his mother wanted him to avoid. After getting
arrested for robbing a liquor store with his friends,
Danny was referred to Alternatives for counseling.
Danny acknowledged to his Alternatives therapist
that he did not want to keep making choices that
negatively affected his mother and his future. His
therapist worked with him to explore interests that
could provide positive, pro-social opportunities.
Danny ultimately joined his school’s track team
and became employed part-time through After
School Matters. Danny reports that he finally
feels connected to his new community and set
of positive peers, and recognizes the support and
guidance he received at Alternatives as the key to
making the transition successful.
95%
of Alternatives
youth improved
teamwork skills.
Donors
$5,000+
After School Matters
Albert Pick, Jr. Foundation
Alternative Schools Network
Anonymous (2)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Illinois
Charles E. Marks Jr.
Charitable Trust
Chicago Area Project
Chicago Community Trust
Crown Family Philanthropies
Francis W. Parker School
Friends of Northside College
Prep
Heartland International
Health Center
Hurvis Charitable Foundation
Irvin Stern Foundation
John R. Houlsby Foundation
Justine Knizeski
Little Angel Foundation
Michael Reese Health Trust
Polk Bros. Foundation
Ravenswood Health Care
Foundation
The Night Ministry
Toys R Us
Ventas Charitable Foundation
William G. McGowan
Charitable Fund
World Relief Chicago
Youth Network Council
YMCA of Metropolitan
Chicago
$1,000 - $4,999
Anonymous
William & Diana Buecking
Central School
Chicago Foundation for
Women
Chicago Shares
Columbia College
Peter & Lou Dickson
Epic Academy
Evanston Township High
School
Francis Beidler Foundation
Garnetta Kramer Charitable
Foundation
David & Pam Harrington
Stuart Hirschman
InterCall
Ann Kennedy
David Levine
Andrew Mathews
Alternatives, Inc. wishes to thank the following individuals, foundations, organizations, agencies, and
corporations who supported our work in Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
Northern Trust
Organization of the NorthEast
Ellen Sadur
Laurence Sophian
Thurgood Marshall Middle
School
Carl Tisone
United Healthcare Services
Benjamin and Bettina
Van Cleave Foundation
Catherine Wilson
Gifford & Paula Zimmerman
$100 - $999
C. Brent Allen
Amsted Industries Foundation
Joni Andrioff
Mark Argianas
Associated Agencies
Glenn Azuma
Julie Badel
John Baker
Brandon Batchelor
Geoffrey & Kirsten Belzer
Marshall Blankenship
Christine Blaul
Cornell Boggs
Jackie & Demetrius Bonin
Michael Bora
Borders Books & Music
Patrick Boyle
Kenneth Breitwiser
Michael Bresolin
Cassandra Buchholz
R. Peter Carey
David Cellitti
Larry Chalifoux
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital
John Codd
Wendy Cohen
Bradley Connor
Gerald Corrigan
Lynne Cramer
Carmen Curet
Cy Peiser Foundation
Darien De Lorenzo
Stephanie Demarest
Desmond & Ahern, Ltd.
Jane Dewey
Bill Dolnick
Helen Doria
Randall & Sally Doubet-King
Margaret Dublin
Scott Edelhauser
Enrique Escalante-Montante
J. Scott & Rebecca Etzler
Joan Evans
Terri Falvey
Fannie Mae
Forest Villa
Marc & Marilyn Franson
Judith M. Gall
Terrence & Madeleine Garmey
Meredith George
Malik Gillani
Mike Glass
Thomas Gofort
Constance & Arnold Goldberg
Charles Gray
Group Benefit Associates
Alan Groupe
Charles Harrell
Timothy Harris
Healthy Results
Elizabeth Herceg
Ms. Mary Hoffman
Michael Hudson
Catherine Hufford
Integrated Project
Management
Albert & Pat Izzo
George Jackson
Joann Jackson
Stephen & Christine Jensik
Jeffrey & Marianne Johnson
Kevin Jones
Carolanne Joseph
Thomas Judge
Gail & Ron Kahn
Harry & Theresa Kekatos
James Kennedy
Steven Keyser
Michael Kiser
Marvin Korves
Kraft Foods Foundation
Andrea Kuebbeler
James Lampe
Lawrence-Sheridan Currency
Exchange
Lebow & Malecki
Barbara Levin
Rebecca Levin
Robert & Carol Lifton
Lucy’s Children’s Fund Inc.
Joan & Jim Lustig
Jose & Yesenia Maldonado
Patrick Malone
Bob Markowski
David & Sarah McConnell
Marty McConnell
Ann & Tracy McCoy
David McLaughlin
Larry McLaughlin
Charles Michalek
Ed Miller
Naomi & Robert Milstein
Robert & Carol Milstein
Vannessa Moesta
Frances Moody
Motorola Foundation
Kevin Mott
Carl & Constance Nelson
Danny Nelson
Matthew & Barbara O’Hara
Scott Okin
Matthew Pacholek
Revelle Peritz
Saralyn Peritz
Marcia & Sheldon Pevsner
Terrill Pierce
Valerie Pierce
Laura Reed
Michael Renaud
Kristen Roberts
David Rosen
Robert Rubenstein
David Rutschman
Zofia Ruzyc
Sid & Elizabeth Schenkier
Geri Schroeder
Meghan Schroeder
Stuart & Kathryn Schuldt
Gordon Schulz
Amanda Seward
David Single
Jason Smith
Reed Smith
Joyce Stadter
Heather Steans
Katie Stillwell
Dan & Kim Stolze
Target-Response, Inc.
Dan Tarlock
Tax Pros
Suzette & Nathan Thompson
Andrew & Lisa Tonachel
Michael Toomin
Uptown Bikes
Uptown Car Wash & Service
Gordon & Mary Vance
Bill Voss
Mark Warner
Darran Wee
Catherine Weidner
Mary Lynn Weinger
Richard W. Westerfield
& Betsy A. Meisenheimer
Steve Wilcox
Benjamin Wilson
Mary Wilson
Winning Smile Dental Group
Wendy & Stuart Witzel
$50 - $99
Anonymous
Neeraj Aggarwal
Heather Allen
Abby Berlien
Holly Birnbaum
Jean & Anthony Borrelli
Roberta Buchanan
Mindy & Steve Buecking
Nancy Cassidy
Liz Chisholm
Chelsey Clammer
Teresa Cortas
Sonia Cruz
Alycia & Marc Dagenais
Holly & David Diedrich
Zach Dodson
Sally Drucker
Holly & James Dunkel
Nancy Ebert
Diane Fager
Keisha Farmer-Smith
Femi Memorial Outreach Fund
Fitness & Longevity
Kim Godfrey
Elizabeth A. Godwin
Carlos Gonzalez
Justin Grey
David Grzenia
Dawna Gutzmann
Marcy Hackbarth
Kristina Hanson
Todd & Jennifer Hobbs
Richard & Judith Homer
Mark & Mary Hoppe
Benjamin & Gwen Jankowski
Bharathi Jayaram
Laura Jenkins
Poonam Jha
Janay Joyce
Gary Keller
Karen Lambert
Sabrina Lee
Roy Maddock
Marc Harris Photography
Richard & Ramona Meher
Ryan Meher
Karen Mertig
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mertig
Thara Nagarajan
Naoki & Leah Nakamura
April Nomellini
Norman Patinkin
Mark Paye
John Pfeiffer
Hung Pham
Troy Polinsky
Valarie Ridley
Lois Roewade
Nancy Rose
Herb & Elaine Rosing
Martha & Bob Ruschman
Amber Settle
Anjuli Shah-Johnson
Aparna Sharma
Barclay Sheegog
Carolynn Sheridan
D. Scott & Elizabeth Showalter
Roderick Simms
Marcia Smith
Robert & Jackie Stein
Stephen L. Thompson
Daniel Thorstenson
Kimberly Tilford
Susan Trieschmann
Amy & John VanStee
Orit Vard
Elizabeth Vastine
Fatima Villasenor
Katrina Weimholt
Gretchen Winter
Jonathan Wyman
Jeanie Young
Government Funders
Chicago Public Schools–
Department of Specialized
Services
Chicago Department of
Human Services
Cook County State’s
Attorney’s Office
Illinois Department of Human
Services
Illinois Department of
Commerce and Economic
Opportunity
Illinois Division of Alcoholism
and Substance Abuse
In-Kind Donors
Anonymous
Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna
Jeremy & Beth Beard
Black Ensemble Theater
Bloomingdale’s
Cesira Bonin
Dr. Michele Bonin
Nicolette Bonin
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Cafe Selmarie
Casteel Coffee
Charles Ifergan Coiffures, Ltd.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Public Radio
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Wolves
James and Gabrielle Cordes
Barbara Coughlin
Angela Craig
Dal-Tile & Stone
Degerberg Academy
East Bank Club
Eclecticity
Elements in Motion
Enjoy
Essence Suites
F & F Management Inc.
Fireside Restaurant
Fisheye Graphic Services
Frank Lloyd Wright
Preservation
General Nutrition Centers
Gymboree Play and Music
Hanger 18
Hard Rock Cafe
Hello Belle
Mary Hoffman
Hollywood Boulevard
Theaters
Home Products International
Institute of Cultural Affairs
Illinois Sports Facilities
Authority
John G. Shedd Aquarium
King of Tile
Kohl Children’s Museum
Lettuce Entertain You
Lulu’s Restaurant
Kim McAllister-McKinney
Metropolis
Marcy Mitola
Moto Restaurant
Murphy’s Bleachers
Music Box Theatre
North Side Cafe
Oceanique
Old Town School of Folk
Music
Pegasus Players
Potbelly Sandwich Works
Quake Collectibles
Ravenswood Used Books
Geri Schroeder
Ken & Marilyn Schroeder
Meghan Schroeder
Jay Schwartz
Second City
Self-Conscious
Silk Road Theatre Project
Smart Museum of Art
Stuart-Rodgers Photography
Swedish Bakery
Target
Theatre Building Chicago
Thousand Waves Spa for
Women
Urban Oasis
Catherine Wilson
Mary Wilson
We appreciate the generous support of our donors, and apologize for any errors. If your name has been listed incorrectly, please
contact us and we will correct our records.
FINANCIALS
1.1%
1.9%
FY10 Revenue by Source ($2,289,473)
Private Contributions (42%)
Illinois Department of Human Services (37.8%)
Chicago Department of Human Services (9.4%)
Chicago Public Schools (4.6%)
Special Events (1.9%)
Illinois Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (1.7%)
Cook County State’s Attorney (1.5%)
Program Income & Other (1.1%)
37.8%
42%
9.4%
4.6%
1.7%
1.5%
7.4%
FY10 Expenses by Source ($2,200,108)
Programs (81.5%)
Management & General (11.1%)
Fundraising (7.4%)
11.1%
81.5%
Based in Uptown and serving
youth citywide, Alternatives, Inc.’s
mission is to facilitate personal
development, strengthen family
relationships, and enhance the
community’s well being.
Alternatives’ programming is built around four
core strategic areas: individual and family
counseling, leadership development, academic
enrichment, and violence and substance abuse
prevention.
For more information about Alternatives, please
visit us at www.alternativesyouth.org. To arrange
a tour of our Uptown Youth Center or inquire
about volunteer opportunities, please contact us
at 773-506-7474.
2009-2010 Annual Report
www.alternativesyouth.org
773-506-7474
Alternatives, Inc.
4730 North Sheridan Road
Chicago, Illinois 60640