ANSWERING QUESTIONSn some ways, you could say Damar Services has spent 50 years answering questions. other choices do we have?” when the prevailing wisdom suggested they should institutionalize David and Martha, their children with developmental disabilities. Finding no real alternatives, they answered that question themselves by creating Damar.

Damar has been in the business of answering questions ever since.Questions like, “How can we help people with developmental and behavioral disabilities live more independently?”… “How can we help the people we serve get a better education?”… “How can we incorporate the latest research into our work?” with questions of their own. And you’ll hear how, in answering those questions,

helped Marcus and Tiara Johnson share their hearts. Finally, how it helped a

In those cases and countless others, we hear people talk about the “Damar

compassion and individual attention… responsiveness… vision… creativity… reliability and resources. Over the past year, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary, we’ve been humbled

new questions that need to be answered. In that process, two questions grabbed our attention: What can we do to address the impact that the opioid epidemic is having on children with intellectual and developmental disabilities? And what can we do to support the aging population of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they face challenges with healthcare and housing? We’ll call on our team, our board, our supporters and more to pitch in and help us deliver answers that will best serve the community and the people we serve.

Dr. Jim Dalton, Psy.D., HSPP, CSAYC President & CEODAMAR SERVICES 2017 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

IAbout DamarFor 50 years, Damar Services has helped children and adults challenged by autism and intellectual, developmental and behavioral disabilities live more successful lives. From its main campus on Indianapolis’ southwest side, three ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) Autism Services clinics and

full continuum of services for individuals of all ages, including residential and community-based treatment and therapeutic services, outpatient behavioral health services, public and private schools, and foster care services.

O F F I C E R S

Brad Linville, ChairGrant Jenkins, Vice Chair Stephen D. Price, Treasurer

M E M B E R S

Carlos Alexander Phil NoltingAnne Calvert Victor PerkinsMichael F. Conly Joe Robinson Dr. Jim Dalton Gail ShielBarton Early Karen Snyder Patty O. Edwards Patrick Terrell Dr. John Ehrmann, Jr. Rick TorbeckAmber Fields Patrick TynanLisa K. Grimes Edward L. West Debra Ladyman

D A M A R F O U N D AT I O N B O A R D M E M B E R S

Patrick Tynan, Chair Steve HelmichRalph Balber David ReedAnne Calvert Lisa Grimes

Damar Services Board of Directors

DAM

AR F

OUND

ATIO

N, IN

C.60

67 D

ECAT

UR B

LVD.

IN

DIAN

APOL

IS, I

N 46

241

DAMAR.O

RG

Financial SummaryR E V E N U E S O U R C E S :Total Revenue: $54,742,032

■ Indiana Department of Child Services – 40%

■ Medicaid – 32%

■ Department of Education – 19%

■ Commercial Insurance – 6%

■ Philanthropy/Charitable Contributions – 2%

■ Other fees – 1%

E X P E N S E S :■ Campus Residential – 43%

■ Community Support – 20%

■ Clinical & Community-based Services – 11%

■ ABA Services by Damar – 10%

■ Administration, Advancement, Human Resources & Training – 7%

■ Supported Living – 6%

■ Group Homes – 3%

Financial responsibility and stewardship is an important role of the Damar Board of Directors and management team in en-

available upon request. Expenses are shown as a percent of the agency’s functional expense allocation.

ON THE COVER: Miaya Finkton came to Damar at the age of two. She was unable to verbalize or point to things she wanted, and unable to make eye contact with those around her. Damar ABA Autism Services worked hard associating sounds with items that she wanted like say-ing, “do” for juice; and teaching her to make eye contact with others. Flash forward two years later, Miaya is now able to speak in full sentences. For example, “I want to drink orange Kool-Aid.” She makes eye contact with peers and plays independently using imaginative play.

will continue to, exceed many expectations.

Consolidated Revenue & Expenses for Damar Services, Inc., Damar Subsidiaries & Damar Foundation, Inc.

OUR DONORS ARE THE DIFFERENCE While Damar’s services and programs are varied and complex, the goal is simple: to help people achieve their highest levels

programs were created to support this goal on a consistent and on-going basis. For a complete listing of our donors, please visit damar.org/donors.

V I S I O N A R I E S Gifts of $10,000+

AllThings ITChildren’s Bureau of IndianapolisCity of IndianapolisDamar Guild, Inc.Elba L. and Gene Portteus Branigin Foundation, Inc.William GrubeIndiana Department of Homeland SecurityKraabel Charitable FoundationLilly Endowment, Inc.Meridian Health ServicesNEXT for AutismGail ShielSuperior Oil CompanyJoe & Nancy TynanJohn & Martha TynanMichael & Nancy Tynan

B E N E FA C T O R S Gifts of $5,000 to $9,999

Dr. Jim & Jodi DaltonRich & Dianne HarcourtHendricks Regional HealthHolladay PropertiesHoover Family FoundationHylantMid-West Motorcycle ClubThomas & Kathy MosbaughNCAARunnebohm Construction, Inc.Turfdogs Lawn & LandscapeTynan Equipment CompanyPatrick TynanWalter Payton Power Equipment, LLC

A D V O C AT E S Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999

American Auto Guardian, Inc.Arni’s Charity ClassicAyres Foundation, Inc.Jim & Anne CalvertChrist Church Cathedral WomenConocoPhillipsDelta Dental FoundationRobert & Patricia EdwardsFEDEX Smart PostKen FileFirst Financial BankFoxx Equipment CompanyIndiana Sports CorporationIndiana University HealthJunior League of IndianapolisMain EventMaximus FoundationNicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial FoundationPeine EngineeringDavid ReedSharp Business SystemsWalmart FoundationWhiskey Business

180° Ellen Wright used to expect the phone to ring every school day at about 10:30 or 11. “Come pick up Isaac,” someone at her great-grandson’s school would say. So she would drive to school

been banned from the school bus. “He would become very violent and aggressive to the teachers and the kids,” Wright says. Obviously, Isaac is a child with challenges. Wright says he has multiple diagnoses, takes medication for bipolar disorder and has been suicidal. She cares for him because his father died of an aneurysm before he was born, and his mother is a drug addict who hasn’t been in his life for years. Isaac has been in therapy since kindergarten. One day when the expected call came, Wright and the school decided a more dramatic response was required. Someone suggested Isaac could go to Damar’s Stabilization, Assessment & Transition (SAT) program, which has a 20-bed program for short-term and

impact. “We had the meeting at the school at 2 o’clock, and by 5 he was admitted at Damar,” Wright says. “As the weeks went by, we could see that his mood was improving. It was just 180 degrees.” Isaac was released from the SAT program in May, but he continues

attitude. “He can’t wait for the bus to come in the morning,” Wright says. “And he comes home happy.” Wright attributes the turnaround to the people at Damar – their expertise, their awareness of what works best for Isaac, and their

And that morning call? She hasn’t gotten one in months. •

GROWING UP TOGETHER Michelle Nolting and Damar Services have something in common:

together. In fact, you could say they grew up together. It was 35 years ago that Michelle’s dad, Phil Nolting, brought his

“put her in an institution and forget about her.” (“He’s lucky I wasn’t Rocky and just slugged him,” Phil says.) Damar wasn’t much to look at in those days, says Phil, who has served on the Damar Board of Directors almost as long as Michelle’s been with Damar. When she

But even then, Phil says, Damar had a vision to improve and grow. And it has lived up to that ambition, he adds, consistently keeping pace with what’s best for the people it serves and establishing itself as a leader in its industry. At the same time, Phil says, Damar helped Michelle improve and grow, sometimes in leaps, sometimes though small steps, but always resulting in her being more independent. A recent visit to the home Michelle, who is legally blind, shares

of activity, giving tours and singing songs she wrote herself. Dad and Michelle tease each other warmly, and when asked to pose for

looking at her. It’s a nice family moment, and Phil’s description of Damar’s role in his and Michelle’s life gives it even greater meaning. “It is a family situation,” Phil says. And then he adds: “I want Damar to be there

•

A SAFE, LOVING PLACE

go when Mom or Dad get caught up in addiction and can’t care for them? Sure, some go with family … but what about others? For others, there are people like Marcus and Tiara Johnson. For four years, the Johnsons have opened their home to children in need of a place to stay, whether that’s for a weekend or longer. In that time, they’ve served as foster parents to 10 kids, and provided “respite care” for 30 others, all ranging from toddlers to teens. Asked why, Tiara says matter-of-factly, “We love children.” “We open our doors to the children who don’t have place to stay right now,” Marcus adds. “Some come in and everything’s OK, and some come in and they’re not happy.” Watching the Johnsons with kids – calmly correcting, quietly comforting, simply cuddling – you appreciate why Damar Director of Foster Care Services Guenevere Kalal speaks so highly of them.

Johnsons’ orderly, calm home gives the kids “a sense of normalcy, security and expectation.”

responsiveness continues to be a hallmark of Damar Foster Care

adds, “I always tell people, ‘Go to Damar, they’ll work with you.’” Not all the kids served by Damar Foster Care Services are victims of the opioid epidemic, nor are they all developmentally disabled, as one might expect of a Damar program. But they do all need a safe,

For times like those, there are people like Marcus and Tiara Johnson. •

REVVED UP On the morning of New Year’s Day, when most people are still in bed or at least moving slowly, Indianapolis’ southwest side comes to life with the sound of a few hundred Harleys, Hondas, BMWs

Midwest Motorcycle Club, are swaddled against frigid temperatures

While it doesn’t take much to get motorcycle enthusiasts onto their bikes, getting them out on New Year’s morning in sub-freezing temperatures could seem like a challenge. Why do they do it? For Damar. rider making a donation to participate and all proceeds going to Damar. Over the years, that’s been more than $130,000. But money isn’t all this event is about, and the Hangover Rally isn’t the only time the club touches Damar. Members like spending time with the kids, giving kids rides on their motorcycles, dishing out snow cones, playing games and more. organization it used to support. In that case, the club collected

Damar changed all that, club president David Pitts says, and the

“For the kids, this might be something that, in their life, is a highlight,” Pitts says, “and we go away with, for lack of a better way to say it, warm fuzzies in our hearts to see the smiles on their faces.” When club members get ready to leave an event, Pitts says, the kids ask when they’ll be back. And sometimes, they think they’re there even when they aren’t. “I guess whenever a motorcycle shows up on campus, some of the kids ask if it’s us,” Pitts says. •

Michelle

Isaac

Marcus & Tiara

Midwest Motorcycle Club

OUR FOUR LEVELS OF GIVING:

• Circle of Visionaries – for donors of $10,000 or more

• Circle of Benefactors – for donors of $5,000 - $9,999

• Circle of Advocates – for donors of $2,500 - $4,999

• Circle of Stewards – for donors of $1,000 - $2,499

The President’s CircleAs Damar relies more heavily on philanthropy, one group of donors can be relied on to provide a steady and sturdy foundation for all

donors of $1,000 or more a year to the Damar Fund help Damar give its clients the services and support they need to lead more successful, independent lives.

Damar Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent available to a donor by law.

S T E W A R D S Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldDan & Kate AppelAutomotive Finance CorporationBailey Trucking, Inc.BKD, LLPBMWC Constructors, Inc.Christ the King Catholic ChurchMichael & Elaine ConlyGreg & Janet DavisStacy DickersonDowntown Optimist FoundationEli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc.Joan FlemingFranciscan AllianceLisa GrimesLaura GuyStephen & Cindy HelmichIndianapolis Association of Health UnderwritersGrant & Erica JenkinsNick & Kelley KarnMax KendallDaniel & Pam KenningerKillion & Hall Insurance Agency Inc.Kiwanis Club of MooresvilleEdgar & Audrey KuhlenschmidtDebra LadymanBrad & Stephanie LinvilleRob & Jennifer MannMary E. Van Drew Charitable FoundationMatthew MorrisPhil & Peggy NoltingPacers FoundationNathan & Jennifer PetermanBrian & Jenny Peters-ReecePeyBack FoundationP.I.P.E., Inc.PNCPreferred WarrantiesRichard M. Fairbanks FoundationNick RunnebohmSalesforce FoundationStrada Education Network, Inc.The PLAID AgencyTravelers InsuranceUnited Way of Central IndianaThomas WagnerMarlene Withrow

damar.org