FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR MESSAGEWe believe

everyone deserves the highest quality

of life possible.

OUR MISSIONFamily Service Agency exists

to strengthen individuals and communities

through healing, mentoring and social engagement.

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Everyone strives to affect change in one way or another. For Family Service Agency, we believe in making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.

The success of our efforts is shown by our impact on the individuals, families and communities we serve through our four programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Center for Counseling, Children’s Advocacy Center and Senior Services.

This past year, as an agency, we have looked beyond our program performance and program activities, and focused on that impact. For some of our clients, we found this impact by Family Service Agency was far more than a “positive difference.” It was positively life changing! Over the next few pages, reflect back with us on a few of those amazing stories from 2014.

We hope you find this report informative and continue to support FSA as we strive to find new and necessary ways to make a positive difference with the youth, families, individuals and older adults of DeKalb County.

Sincerely,

David C. MillerExecutive Director

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE

IN 2014 FOR MORE THAN 2,000 OF OUR AREA FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND CHILDREN!

BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER:

187MATCHED KIDS

CENTER FOR COUNSELING:

735COUNSELED RESIDENTS

CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER:

216ADVOCATED CHILDREN

SENIOR SERVICES:

1,497SENIORS VISITED PER MONTH

SUCCESSES OF THE YEAR

SUCCESS STORYAfter a child’s disclosure of abuse by another family member, the parents all but fell apart. Neither of them could keep a job, both felt guilt and suffered from depression. CAC intervened and facilitated healing in this family, not only for the children, but for the parents as well. The mother shared that after receiving help, her and her husband decided it was time to also help themselves. They are both gainfully employed and the kids are doing well.

WE BELIEVE EVERY CHILD THAT HAS BEEN ABUSED DESERVES A SAFE PLACE TO BE HEARD.The Children’s Advocacy Center is here to be a voice for children. We assist and coordinate the necessary processes for families who have experienced abuse and help start the healing for victims and families. An experience like this can cause families to crumble, but with our help they can survive.

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER

FACTSClients of Children’s Advocacy Center range in age from 0-17, with 60-75% disclosing abuse during the one-time forensic interview. It is found that 90% of the offenders are biologically related to the child, and most of those being a parent, stepparent, or another relative that lives in the home.

QUICKSTATS62% WERE INVOLVED IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

38% WERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO ATTEND KINDERGARTEN

90% KNEW THEIR PERPETRATOR

Resource: National Children’s Alliance data

FACTSYouth matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister are generally more confident, have greater self-esteem, are less likely to do drugs or drink alcohol, have greater academic success, and get along better with family and friends.

QUICKSTAT

SUCCESS STORYA mother enrolled her son into the program as a young child who was struggling in school. The Little Brother did not have luck making friends and did not have a positive male influence in his life. He was matched with a young adult who had a family at home of his own and they started meeting on a weekly basis. His Big mentored him successfully through life for many years, leading his Little out of his shell and into involvement with clubs at school.

When the Little experienced a domestic violence situation while his biological father was temporarily back in the picture, his Big was the first person he called for help. They have an unbreakable friendship.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

WE BELIEVE EVERY CHILD DESERVES SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES IN THEM.At every phase of life, we have an opportunity to influence and impact youth of the next generation. Big Brothers Big Sisters continues to mentor kids for success. Through the encouragement, strong expectations and positive reinforcement provided in a healthy friendship, youth can mature and thrive.

FACTS: AVERAGE LITTLE

OF KIDS ENROLLING SAY THEY DON’T HAVE SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO.50%

SUCCESS STORYIt began with the stubborn reluctance of a 9 year old not interested in receiving counseling. Through visiting each week, she gained awareness of repressed issues that were causing her to be socially awkward. Recognizing how she was interpreting her trauma and projecting it outwardly, this talented youth had a change of heart and has now even become a support group leader.

SUCCESS STORYA senior client contacted FSA to seek counseling services due to depression and the ineffectiveness of her anti-depressants. The client had a difficult, tense and resentful living situation, which made her feel hopeless and that her life was without meaning. She was transitioned to in-home counseling services due to her declining emotional state.

We assisted in rebuilding her support systems, improving her perceptions of her life and providing emotional support. She is now experiencing a happy and fulfilling life never thought possible: interacting with peers, participating in group activities, reconnecting with old friends and volunteering.

CENTER FOR COUNSELING

QUICKSTAT

18%

OF ADULTS SUFFERED FROM ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, PTSD OR ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO THEIR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH.

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE SUPPORTED IN MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES.Clients who need help in life’s journey range in age from youth to older adults in our Center for Counseling program. We see clients across a wide spectrum of ages, life situations, and emotional difficulties, utilizing the therapy method best suited for their needs.

IN 2012, MORE THAN

FACTSThe average age of those who attend the activity centers is 75 years old. Most of the participants are widowed, live alone, have low to moderate income levels and the majority of the attendees are women. All of our attendees are independent; however, many of our seniors have infirmities such as poor vision, needing the use of a walker or wheelchair, or have other mobility issues.

QUICKSTAT374 AVERAGE WEEKLY

VISITS TO OUR SENIOR CENTERS

SUCCESS STORYOne couple, who felt isolated, found the Senior Center a welcoming place full of activity and new friends. Now they attend regularly and both their physical and emotional health has improved.

TESTIMONIALIf we didn’t have the Senior Center to come to daily, we would be stuck at home staring at the four walls and nothing to do. We have met many new friends who have been a great support system. Our son is moving out of state with our grandchildren and it is hard on us. We know that we can rely on the friends and the staff at the Senior Center for help if we ever need anything that our son used to do for us.

Our doctor says it is important for us to remain active and he is happy that we go to the center daily instead of never getting out of the house. The Wii Bowling League keeps us quite active too!

SENIOR SERVICES

WE BELIEVE EVERY SENIOR DESERVES TO BE INDEPENDENT, SAFE, AND LIVE WITH DIGNITY.The Senior Services program is a support system focused on promoting wellness and independence in our growing elderly population. We continually provide a comprehensive program of physical and mental stimulation, health education, recreation, and socialization that reinforces each participant’s dignity and self-worth.

TOTALINCOME$1,130,579

TOTALEXPENSE$1,137,195

YEAR IN REVIEW

OUTLINE PLANS FOR FUTUREAs we look to the past, we must also look to the future. Family Service Agency’s forward thinking and looking incorporates strategic goals that were set forth through the agency’s strategic planning.

We will be working with the DeKalb County Judicial System to provide the Neutral Exchange Program. This service provides parents going through a difficult separation or divorce the ability

PS – DON’T FORGET TO SHARE THIS POSITIVE NEWS WITH A FRIEND!

to have their court ordered visitation exchanges facilitated in a peaceful and neutral manner by a qualified third-party.

As we continue to define our impact by exemplifying our values and core purpose in the communities we serve, Family Service Agency also ensures the highest quality and most efficient services as a leader in cooperation, collaboration, and partnership.

UNITED WAY/COMMUNITY

FUNDS

2.22%

$25,119

PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE

12.44%

$140,601

FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL

GOVERNMENT

26.51%

$299,769

IN-KIND RENT

19.01%

$214,856

DIRECT PUBLIC

SUPPORT

39.82%

$450,154

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

15.70% $178,538

CENTER FOR COUNSELING

29.12% $331,130

SENIOR SERVICES

37.64% $428,043

CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY

17.54% $199,483

SENIOR SERVICES CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

CENTER FOR COUNSELING

GOVERNMENT

DIRECT PUBLIC SUPPORT

PROGRAM SERVICE UNITED WAY COMMUNITY FUNDS

IN-KIND RENT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

John Spinoso Chair

Rose Treml Immediate Past Chair, Sycamore Chamber of Commerce

David Miller Secretary, Family Service Agency

Tom Sullivan Treasurer, National Bank & Trust

David Miller Executive Director

Tynisha Clegg Operations Director

Erin Tamms Development Director

Courtney Denison Big Brothers Big Sisters Director

Laura Nolan Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Manager

Holly Peifer Children’s Advocacy Center Director

Leticia Gomez DelaCasa Children’s Advocacy Center, Program Coordinator & Clinician

Family Service Agency exists to strengthen people and communities through healing, mentoring, and social engagement

Bette Chilton Kishwaukee College

Micki Chulick

Brad Copple KishHealth System

Gary Evans Castle Bank

Yvonne Johnson

Kerri Phalp Center for Counseling Director

Dan Klein Center for Counseling Clinical Supervisor

Monique Heilemeier Center for Counseling Clinician

Rebecca Kalomiris Center for Counseling Clinician

Paul Legler Center for Counseling Clinician

Micki Miller Center for Counseling Clinician

Megan Schultz Center for Counseling Clinician

Diana King Senior Services Program Manager

Thora Cliffe Senior Service Center Program Assistant

Marcia Huber Senior Service Center Program Assistant

Marlee Piskorowski Senior Service Center Program Assistant

Jane Siciliano Senior Service Center Program Assistant

Kristen Cobern Office Manager

Alexandra Garkey Bookkeeping Assistant

Karen Orser Daytime Receptionist

Arie Musil Evening Receptionist

Suzanne JudayKaren Pletsch Shaw Media

Richard Schmack DeKalb County Government

Christian Spears Northern Illinois University

Carolyn Tobinson Ace Hardware