Annual Report2016-17

AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report2

A Note from the President/CEOFirst off, thank you for believing in the mission of AYS! Over the last year, the board of directors and staff have worked diligently to strengthen the organizational structure and systems that will ensure we continue to offer safe, fun and enriching experiences for children during the out-of-school hours.

A major accomplishment this past year was the creation of our partnership development team. This cross-departmental team was born from the recommendations of the board task force. The team is looking at opportunities to better serve community and school needs, both in new schools and school districts and at the schools in which we currently operate. The team is also identifying opportunities to increase the satisfaction and engagement of families who currently use our services.

For a second year in a row, we have enjoyed growth in our overall enrollment; our enrollment figures are up by 4.7 percent over the previous year. This included a 14.4 percent increase in the number of children served through a financial assistance stream.

We also experienced an increase in fundraising revenue this year, including a 110 percent increase in contributions from individuals. We kicked off a successful first-time fundraising event, AYS’ Lights On Luncheon: A Celebration of Afterschool, which you can read more about on page 8.

Thanks to a United Way of Central Indiana Capital Projects Fund grant, much of our behind-the-scenes work this year has been conducted at our newly renovated administrative office. The new space has allowed us to work in a safer environment that is more conducive to cross-functional teams and larger group meetings and trainings.

I hope that as you continue to read this report, and the stories included in it, you’ll be struck by the impact AYS is making. As always, we will be working to make AYS stronger and look for ways to better connect with parents, school partners and the community, in order to help children go further in school and in life.

From donors and volunteers, to parent advocates and school and community partners, we depend on so many to help us fulfill our mission. Thank you for your interest in AYS!

Sincerely,

Chrystal StrubenPresident/CEO

Chrystal Struben

Board Members2016-2017Nancy Mallon, PresidentDr. Victoria Davis, President-ElectJustin Hayes, TreasurerAndrew Hedegard, SecretaryLt. Russell Burns Jeff CurielSandy DaleBeth EilerTeresa Hall Margaret HiggsYalonda McTush BrownAlicia SmithBrian Whitman

Volunteers2016-2017Brynn BakerStephanie BusseyZack DwengerJeni EstradaPaul GreyAmira HayesMichael KammesDelaney KleeCourtney LambertZach LangbehnEric LesermanAmy LohssBrad MaleyHeather ManuelQuiana McKinneyErika MotleyJenn NiemeyerDawn NickolausTina NoelLaKiesha OwensKatie Reich Fernanda Rios EscobosaKayla RomanoChris SchoenfeldIsaac SeppelJill TerryAmaya TurnerEmma VenardBetsy WhitmoreJennifer WyrickTina Zaza Matthys

2016-2017 Program SitesIndianapolis Public SchoolsJames Whitcomb Riley School 43 Edison School of the Arts at 47 Merle Sidener Academy for High-Ability Students IPS/Butler University Laboratory School 60Clarence Farrington Elementary School 61 Center for Inquiry at School 70Center for Inquiry at School 84Rousseau McClellan School 91 Meredith Nicholson School 96 (also serving Lew Wallace School 107) Robert Lee Frost School 106

Washington Township SchoolsAllisonville ElementaryCrooked Creek Elementary Fox Hill ElementaryGreenbriar Elementary John Strange Elementary Nora Elementary Spring Mill Elementary

Decatur TownshipBlue and Gold Academies Liberty Early ChildhoodStephen Decatur Elementary Valley Mills Elementary West Newton Elementary 

Speedway SchoolsNewby Elementary (also serving Fisher Elementary and Allison Elementary)Wheeler Elementary

Charter SchoolsACE Preparatory AcademyPhalen Leadership AcademySoutheast Neighborhood School of Excellence

Parochial SchoolsSt. Luke Catholic SchoolSt. Louis de Montfort Catholic School St. Maria Goretti Catholic School

Noblesville SchoolsHazel Dell Elementary Hinkle Creek Elementary Noble Crossing Elementary North Elementary Promise Road Elementary Stony Creek Elementary White River Elementary 

North West Hendricks Co.North Salem Elementary (also providing an early childhood program at this site)Pittsboro Elementary

 North Montgomery Co.All elementary schools served at Northridge Middle School

Shelbyville Central SchoolsAll elementary schools served at Hendricks Elementary School    21st Century Community Learning Center Licensed Program Accredited by the Council on Accreditation

Participants and Sites Total enrollment for FY17 3,463

Number of children receiving funding/scholarships 856

Number of summer sites in 2017 8

Number of before-/after-school sites in FY17 41

Number of early childhood sites in FY17 1

31% of students served had a special need that required a plan of care, which can include allergies, asthma, ADHD, and autism

AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report4

STEAM Week funded by the Opus FoundationDuring the 2015-2016 school year, we first introduced the AYS STEAM Week project to engage students in our secondary focus areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and art. This year, we received $30,000 from the Opus Foundation to expand this innovative project to all AYS sites.

Each month, a full week was dedicated to STEAM activities that were intentional, in-depth and inter-related. Each STEAM Week theme combined one STEM concept and one arts concept, and illustrated those concepts through hands-on experiences, offering multiple pathways to success.

Nine different theme weeks were offered throughout the year, including themes such as “Beats” and “Digital Game Design.”

For our Beats theme week, which revolved around math and music, we invited Theon Lee to our sites. Lee, a poet and spoken word artist, is a member of Indy Pulse, a non-profit organization that uses spoken word to educate youth and help empower them to develop their own voice.

After setting up and plugging in his gear—a microphone and a couple of speakers—he asked the question, “Who here knows what beat boxing is?” Some hands flew up, and he brought up three kids. Hovering his hand over the three students, he made a different sound for each. Almost as if he were drumming on the air above their heads, he created an ongoing beat that had the children laughing and awestruck. He then started explaining a game he calls, “Ones, Twos and Threes.” Each number is assigned a different sound. The kids then developed teams and had to remember what sound accompanied each number. So, Lee would write out a sequence— “2, 1, 1, 3”—and the kids would, as a team, beat box the line back to him. Program staff served as the judges. By the end of the game, the kids’ skills resulted in a three-way tie between all the teams.

As part of our Digital Game Design STEAM Week, Nextech brought its mobile computing lab and Hour of Code activities to four AYS sites. Nextech is a nonprofit that connects educators, entrepreneurs and other non-profits to deliver K-12 programs to inspire kids to pursue careers in technology. During their visit in December, they taught our students about the basics of coding.

At John Strange Elementary, groups of AYS kids took turns piling into the roving classroom, which was equipped with technology and teachers. Once inside, they received some hands-on guidance and examples of why computer science matters in their lives.

Donna Smith, director at the John Strange AYS program, said both she and the kids valued the coding lessons. “I liked that the students were able to have additional experience to go along with our STEAM Week, which included coding,” Smith said. “One student told me he was excited about programing the robot to do what he designed it to do! The kids also enjoyed sharing the coding activity with their parents.”

Other STEAM Week themes, which paired a broad range of art formats with STEM principals, included:

• Kinetic Art• Interactive Bookmaking• Culinary Arts• Dancing• Audio Engineering• Color and Dye• Ceramics

Of the 2,240 children who participated throughout the school year, 1,157 completed the Common Instrument retrospective survey in the spring. Our students reported the highest gains in curiosity around science at the end of the program (77%), followed by increased curiosity in technology (65.5%).

Thanks to the Opus Foundation, AYS staff members received training in the Dimensions of Success (DoS) Quality Framework for OST and Planning Tool provided by the PEAR Institute: Partnerships in Education and Resilience from Harvard University. This training prepared our staff members to create intentional lessons and feel comfortable with the curriculum. Our STEAM Week activities were supported by books, apps and videos available at the sites, as well as visits from content specialists.

AYS allows us to focus on our work, but also assists in education and development through things such as STEM/STEAM activities and homework assistance.”

Parent at Hendricks Elementary

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I am an only parent, a widow, to two young, active boys. I teach. Without AYS, I wouldn't be able to get as much work completed sans disruptions. With AYS, I'm more productive, active in my building, happy, and less stressed.”

Parent at Hazel Dell Elementary School

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AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report6

Corporate Volunteers Assist in Many WaysThis year, AYS was able to both build on its valuable corporate partnerships and begin new ones.

One of our longstanding relationships has been with Liberty Mutual Insurance. Over the last several years, AYS has had the opportunity to participate in Liberty Mutual’s Serve with Liberty week. This year, seven volunteers from the company visited our administrative office to prepare Thank a Youth Worker Day baskets for AYS program staff and organize Camp AYS t-shirts for the summer.

Eli Lilly and Company represents a burgeoning new partnership. We were excited to learn that a group from the company’s IT team chose AYS this year as the organization where they wanted to volunteer their time as part of the Eli Lilly Connecting Hearts at Home program. The Lilly volunteers were matched with the AYS program at South East Neighborhood School of Excellence (SENSE), where nine volunteers visited the school two afternoons per week to help the children with homework and activities.

Interested involunteering for AYS?

Visit www.ayskids.org/volunteer/for more information.

AYS has allowed me to earn needed income while my son receives the structure he needs to complete his homework without distractions. It has also given him social time with friends that he would not have in our neighborhood.”

Parent at John Strange Elementary School

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ArtForceAmong the great educational activities Camp AYS kids experienced in 2017 was ArtForce, a summer initiative through Arts for Learning that brings high school students who are interested in teaching to work with our campers. Through ArtForce, these high school students get the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship that includes creating projects with our campers and instructing them in various artistic media.

The apprentices who visited Camp AYS at Center for Inquiry School 84 demonstrated how to use relief patterns, simple coloring and cutting projects, and the wonders of Shrinky Dinks that miraculously come out of a toaster oven!

Research has shown repeatedly how exposure to art education has significant social and academic benefits for children. So, to finish out the week, AYS campers took a field trip to Ivy Tech Community College to be a part of the high school students’ ArtForce finale. They enjoyed the final workshops and interacting with the older kids.

“The chance to teach younger students is the substance of the ArtForce program and quite a challenge for the participants. It hones their leadership skills, which is essential in their school work, and eventually in the workforce, as well as gives them a taste of what it means to be a teaching artist,” said Ploi Pagdalian, senior director for programs at Arts for Learning. “We value the partnership with AYS; the input from their staff on the high school students’ teaching abilities is invaluable.”

AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report8

Inaugural Lights On Luncheon:A Celebration of AfterschoolOn October 20, 2016, 150 supporters joined us for our inaugural Lights On Luncheon: A Celebration of Afterschool. The event was aligned with the national Lights On Afterschool initiative, which encourages events across the country to shine a light on the importance of out-of-school time programs. In addition to raising awareness about AYS’ vital programs in the community, the event raised over $20,000 for the Ellen Clippinger Financial Assistance Fund. These proceeds equate to fee assistance for over three months for the families of 31 children attending AYS before and after school. In total during the 2016-2017 school year, AYS assisted 197 children through the Fund.

Guests of the event enjoyed a keynote address by Dr. Robyn Silverman, a highly regarded child development expert frequently featured on national media. Prior to Dr. Silverman’s energetic presentation, AYS brought Founder Ellen Clippinger, namesake of the Fund benefitting from the event, to the stage for a special honor. Representative Greg Porter presented Mrs. Clippinger with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award in recognition of her work over several decades at the local, state and national level to improve the standards of quality of out-of-school time programs.

AYS appreciates the support of our 2016 event sponsors, including the Parent/Principal Sponsors Indianapolis Downtown Lions Club, Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), Sharp Business Systems, and USI Insurance Services, LLC.

With AYS, the school days extend past the dismissal bell. Students are involved in meaningful activities and enrichment before they are picked up by parents. The homework time is key as it allows them to prepare for the next day of school. It is a good feeling as an administrator that our students are in a safe and meaningful educational environment.”

Jeremy Brooks, Principal, Pittsboro Elementary

School

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AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report10

Celebrating 15 years in 2017, The Journey fellowship programs continue to be committed to supporting youth workers in the field of youth development by grounding them in their vocations and career opportunities, connecting them to a community of Journey Fellows, and inspiring them to stand for young people in tremendous ways. Lilly Endowment Inc. has supported the Journey Fellowship programs since 2002. AYS is honored to be the recipient of the Journey Fellowship grant since 2007.

Three classes of Journey Fellowships are offered each year – Students, New Professionals and Executives – adding to a community of over 1,000 youth workers who continue to improve services to young people throughout Indiana. High-quality out-of-school time programs are not possible without high-quality professionals.

This year, The Journey welcomed 25 Student fellows, 27 New Professionals fellows and 28 Executive fellows. The International Youth Worker Exchange with Vienna, Austria, had 34 Youth Workers from Indiana participate and will welcome our Austrian friends to Indiana in the fall of 2018.

The Journey continues to promote the Child and Youth Care certification in Indiana. This past year, 146 Journey Fellows began the process of obtaining their CYC.

The Journey Fellowship Programs –Exploration and Renewal in the Field of Youth Work

AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report12

Eagle Creek WeekKnowing that children’s emotional, behavioral and intellectual development benefit greatly from outdoor time, Camp AYS participants this year also enjoyed Eagle Creek Week. At Eagle Creek Park – one of the largest municipal parks in the country – campers made bird feeders and learned about bird identification and habitation. They learned how to identify trees and read a map; they learned about Indiana’s wide array of native plants and animals; and they enjoyed a number of field trips. Kids from Camp AYS North even found a deer skull and bones next to a small creek off of a trail!

Eagle Creek Week was made possible in part by funding in Marion County from Lilly Endowment Inc. and Kroger through the Summer Youth Program Fund. In Hamilton County, funding assistance came from the Crosser Family Foundation.

It gets better every year! And every year we can't imagine how they could make it better. Our child truly enjoys the AYS program.”

Parent at Camp AYS Pittsboro

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“AYS has made planning ahead for school breaks much easier. It is a great convenience for our family and has offered our son, an only child, a great place for socialization.”

Parent at Center for Inquiry School 84

AYS’ Professional Development Center Key to maintaining high-quality programs is ensuring that the individuals delivering the programming each day are continually learning and growing. Since 1995, AYS’ Professional Development Center (PDC) has provided trainings and workshops for AYS staff and the communi-ty that focus on a range of topics including health and safety, inclusion and diversity, behavior management and curriculum/activities. This includes 505 individuals who were certified in first aid and CPR over the course of the fiscal year.

New this year, AYS began to focus on the Child & Youth Care certification (CYC), administered by the Child & Youth Care Certification Board and the Child & Youth Care Certification Institute. CYC is an international credential that offers three levels of certification– entry, associate, and practitioner – and has specific guidelines for the number of hours of experience and training a candidate must have. All CYC candidates must take an exam, and based on the results of the exam may be accepted to move forward to the application process. In the application process, the candidate must submit references, years of experience and a training history.

AYS’ Professional Development Manager Jeananne Reich was the first AYS employee to receive a CYC and went on to become a trainer for the Academy of Competent Youth Work. This distinction allowed her to offer the Foundations Course for AYS staff and the community. Nine AYS employees and one community member were in the first cohort of the Academy Foundations Course in spring 2017 held at AYS. At the end of the fiscal year, a total of eight AYS employees had earned a CYC certification.

For a list of training classes and workshops open to the community, visit www.ayskids.org/training

(My daughter) loves AYS! She has made friends and LOVES the crafts. Most importantly, she LOVES the great staff."

Parent at St. Luke Catholic School

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AYS, Inc.2016-17Annual Report14

Financial ManagementAYS continues to increase the number of children we serve, which means more funds available for diverse programming and a continued investment in our staff professional development. Due to a $90,200 (31 percent) increase in Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers from FY 2016, AYS increased its overall earned revenue by 2 percent. This offset a $103,575 decrease in revenue from government grants. In addition to securing a one-time grant from the United Way of Central Indiana for the relocation of our administrative office in September, overall giving to AYS increased by $142,377 (235 percent).

Overall, expenses increased seven percent over the previous year as AYS has continued to update its staffing model to reflect market conditions and the number of students served continues to increase.

The Journey is in the first year of its funding cycle, which led to a net income on that program of $679,107 that will be spent down over the next two years. The remaining programs achieved a net income of $291,057 leading to an overall net income of $970,164.

INCOMEEarned Revenue

Parent and Registration Fees $4,792,042

Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Vouchers $376,975

Professional Development $25,809

Miscellaneous Income $57,825

Total $5,252,651

Public Contracts & Grants

Federal Government Grants $369,262

State Government Grants $157,550

Total $526,812

Contributions

Individuals/Corporations $63,019

In-Kind Donations $14,219

The Journey $1,256,525

Corporate & Foundation Grants $79,700

United Way $156,757

Fundraising and Special Events $46,093

Total $1,616,313

TOTAL INCOME $7,395,776

EXPENSESProgramming $4,358,730

The Journey $577,418

Professional Development $76,205

Fundraising $164,821

General and Administrative $1,248,438

TOTAL EXPENSES $6,425,612

CHANGE IN NET ASSETSCurrent Year – Unrestricted $281,341

CHANGE IN NET ASSETSPreviously Restricted $688,823

CHANGE IN NET ASSETSCurrent Year As Adjusted $970,164

NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR $2,885,614

NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR $3,855,778

Programming

General & Administrative

The Journey & Professional Development

Fundraising

Earned Revenue

Contributions

Public Contracts

Grants ReceivedAfterschool Coalition of Indianapolis

Crosser Family Foundation

Family and Social Services Administration

Hoover Family Foundation

Indiana Department of Education- 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Lilly Endowment Inc.

Opus Foundation

Pacers Foundation, Inc.

Summer Youth Program Fund- Lilly Endowment Inc. and The Kroger Co., Central Division

United Way of Central Indiana Capital Projects Fund

They have really helped make our lives easier and more structured. I work early and needed a reliable and SAFE place for her to be. She looks forward to going every morning and I know she will be safe and taken care of physically with snacks and exercise, but also mentally challenged and entertained. The staff is friendly and encouraging and I truly appreciate the program as a whole.”

Parent at Blue Academy

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Administrative Office:AYS, Inc.4701 N. Keystone Ave., Ste. 475Indianapolis, IN 46205www.ayskids.org317-283-3817info@ayskids.org

AYS enriches the learning and well-being of children in a safe, caring and fun environment outside of the school day.

Our Mission:AYS programs at yourschool ensure happier,safer, more engaged,higher-achieving kids!

Individual DonorsKen AlexanderPeggy AllenSue ArnoldRobyn BakerJay BarbusMark BareCarrie Baugh-ThurstonSara BeanblossomJason and Jenny BelpulsiChristina Bennett-McNewJennifer BerryJamanique Best-IsiweleBryan and Julie BinghamNatalie Brooke Bolt ScheidlerKim BorgesMelinda BowmanRoberta BowserShelby BoyerAnthony BridgemanKyle BrooksYalonda BrownByron BuhnerJenny BurchRussell BurnsSarah CallahanStephanie CampbellKelly CanadaEllen CannadyAngela Carr KlitzschVictor ChildersTracy ClarkHilary ClendenningJason ClevelandLarry and Ellen CoanBetty CockrumKimberly CordialKevin CountrymanShannon CrossJudy CunninghamJeff Curiel and Kate KesterDarrell and Sandy DaleRickie DanielBob and Vickie DavisLisa DelaneyLisa DickDale and Lisa DillonTony and Jennifer DzwonarTameka EdwardsBeth EilerJennifer EllisTaryn FartouhAngela FergusonJeremy FewerMark and Margaret FisherkellerAndrea Freund and

Benjamin TraubDavid GentScott GilchristJessica GillespieNicole GoodsonLynn GreggsJohn and Maureen GreyAllison GrittonMike Halstead and Lisa LanhamRichard HamiltonLeslie HankinsDaniel HavenerJustin and Amira HayesAndrew HedegardMark and Pat Hedegard

Kristin HerrmannMargaret HiggsGlenn HinesScott and Gurinder HohlAngela HouserThe HiattsKelley JoiceRosalind Marie Jones-JacksonAlyssa KavanaughTrisha KearschnerKit KemperCheryl KlepperDavid and Mary Sue KlinkosePat KniolaBrian KoehlerSara KonrathJodi KrumelSarah LaceyDylan LambermontKaren LampertNate LeroyJennifer LewisRosemary MahoneyMarcia MahonyEmily MahurinDavid and Nancy MallonMolly MartinChrista Martini and Christy

Fox-Martini Jenny MathisEllen McCainRana McChristianGary McClelandJim McClellandLindsay McCormickThomas and Charlene McGinleyMatt and Kristi McGradyAlice Green McKinney and E.

Kirk McKinney, Jr. Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation

Laurie McQueenCynthia MichalicShawnise MiddletonDiane MillerScott MillerJennifer MoonErin MurphyMegan MurphyGeorge MyersBrian NevittJennifer and Scott NiemeyerNancy and John NullNancy Oldham ShermanDoug OsborneJeffrey PatchenThe PatricksGary PellicoArmando PerezMichael and Ashley PetryKeith and Kay PhelpsPamelia PhelpsArlene PhillipsTom and Julie PlakeRock PlanckCaitlin PoeMelody PriceShannon RayesCarrie ReibergJanet RelefordJohn Resley

Raquel Richardson and Kaus Christopher

Christina RobertsonRoberto RodarteJackie RubinLoretta RushPhyllis and Richard RussellSablosky Family Foundation,

a fund of Legacy FundJose Salinas and

Michelle Strahl-SalinasElizabeth SchindlerAlice K. SchlossRobert Seelbach and

Elizabeth Koenen-SeelbachGenevieve ShakerPeg SharplesTeresa ShewmanKenneth W. Slater and

Ernalee E. Slater Living TrustMelissa M. SmedleyChris SmithAlicia SmithDonna SmithElizabeth SnyderMarilyn K. SolomonStacey SpencerElizabeth (Jeanne) StemlandCarli StewartLesley StocktonCynthia StoutChrystal StrubenJennifer Touw-GonzalezLisa TreadwellMr. and Mrs. F. K. TullerJanet WakefieldFrank WatzBeth WeddellAnnie WeinblattAngela and Shane WelkerEvans WellsJennifer WilsonTim WitmerHeidi WolfeAnna WolfeBlake WoodardAllison WoodsBrian and Jennifer WyrickLyndsay L. YounceDeborah ZapantaCasey ZeiglerDavid and Peg ZimmermanDebra ZipesSally Zweig

In-kind support from:Betzi HernandezDavid and Nancy MallonBrian Whitman

Organizations/Group Donors

AmazonSmile FoundationAnthemBMO Harris BankBroad Ripple Kiwanis Club and

FoundationButler UniversityCharles Schwab FoundationCopyright Clearance CenterFearrin Insurance AgencyFirst Merchants BankFirst PersonGoodSearch.comIce Miller LLPIndiana Youth Institute, Inc.Indianapolis Downtown

Lions ClubIndianapolis Hebrew

Congregation - Rabbi Scott Fox Discretionary Fund

Indianapolis Power & Light Company

Ivy Tech Community CollegeJ. D. Resley Associates, Inc.JPMorgan ChaseKatz, Sapper & Miller, LLPKightlinger & Gray, LLPKnight Ridge ConsultingLiberty Mutual Employee

Giving, Give With LibertyNorth Side Optimist

Youth Club, Inc.Pile CPAs

Contributions

Purple InkSalesforce.com FoundationSalesforceWIN - Women's

Inspiration NetworkSandor Season of GivingSharp Business SystemsTeachers Credit UnionTina Noel Public RelationsUnited CapitalUnited Way of Central IndianaUSI Insurance Services, LLCWell Done Marketing

In-kind support from:Hightower Graphics, Inc.Indianapolis OASISSponsel CPA Group, LLCStaplesTeachers’ Treasures

AYS is proud to be a United Way of Central Indiana partner agency.