Family Service Association 2013 Annual Report

Annual Report 2013

Real People. Real Change.

FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF SAN ANTONIO

89,864 Inspiring Stories in 2013.

Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc.

Since 1903, Family Service Association has been the family real people can count on for real change. In 2013, the year of our 110th anniversary, we served 89,864 people; we heard and responded to 89,864 life stories. You might think it’s hard to measure effectiveness with such enormous numbers. But we see powerful evidence of success every day in 89,864 lives that have been changed through the proven, practical solutions we apply to end the cycle of poverty, protect children and seniors, motivate teens, guide those who are distraught, assist military families, empower individuals who’ve lost hope, and launch children on a confident educational journey.

Here’s a glimpse of Family Service at work in the community …

300 3,000 650 125 teens set the stage for a lifetime of technological innovation and success at our Teen Tech Center.

children embark on a solid learning path through Head Start.

40,000 parents develop strong, continued engagement in their children’s education and college planning.

individuals discover the sensible approach to financial solvency through counseling at our Financial Empowerment Center.

2,000 men, women and children approach life with a positive new outlook thanks to professional counseling.

seniors find peace, confidence and the joy of independence with a little help from their friends at InHome Personal Care.

To view our demographics, 2013 financial statement and donor list, please visit us at www.family-service.org.

Y

Y YOLONDA

She found financial independence and solvency.

When Yolonda came to the Financial Empowerment Center at The Neighborhood Place, she was underemployed, reliant on public housing and other assistance and stressed over every aspect of her financial life. After 12 sessions, she has turned her life around. She found a better job, has saved enough money to move out of public housing and will graduate in May as a coding documentation specialist.

With guidance, she created budgets, developed and is adhering to a savings plan, and is taking concerted measures to improve her credit. She has reshaped her life. She told her counselor, “I appreciate that you never made me feel ashamed or embarrassed about my financial situation.” That’s what we’re here for — to guide, empower and celebrate our clients’ successes.

M MARIE

With a little help, everything can change.

When she and her husband separated, Marie was unemployed and in despair. She and her two small children moved in with her mother and she enrolled her son in Head Start so he would be in good hands while she looked for work. Head Start was the first of several small miracles that changed the life of this hardworking, motivated mom. Her Head Start Parent Advocate and her son’s teacher then led her to the A.N.G.E.L.S. program, a three-week, comprehensive early care training program that prepares participants to work in a licensed or registered child care program. A model student, she graduated and got a job as a Parent Advocate. Marie says, “I was broken, but Family Service saw something in me that I did not know existed. I think about where I was last year and where I am now … in a job where I understand the people I provide resources for and living in my own place with my kids. Anyone can find themselves in a bad situation … but with just a little help, everything changes.”

A

AR

TU

RO

He took the long road home.

His arduous journey of destructive behavior began when he was just 12 and started experimenting with alcohol. Over a 40-year period, Arturo abused many substances and inadvertently hurt those he loved the most. It took a jolt of tough love to wake him up: His daughter severed ties with him and he finally sought treatment. Upon completion of a 30-day residential rehab program, he began outpatient therapy at Family Service.

He meets his counselor three times a week, is completing a 12-step program and attends AA classes daily. With great joy, he is mending broken relationships — restoring trust and communication with his daughter, grandchildren, brother and parents. He wants to redeem himself and give back to the community and he is taking all the difficult steps to do so. “Family Service has helped me move toward full healing and I feel good about the future,� Arturo says. Now he is paying off debt, rediscovering self worth and proving the tenacity of the human spirit.

D DOROTHY

Transcending disability, she found her niche.

When health problems forced her to leave her longtime job and go on disability, Dorothy was depressed and worried she would never again feel useful or important. Then she began volunteering in Family Service’s Parent Engagement — a school-based service that helps parents develop strong, continued involvement in their children’s education. Dorothy’s natural leadership blossomed and she was hired as a parent coach at her child’s elementary school. In working with parents and advocating for their children, Dorothy saw the enormous barriers many families face — unable to afford shoes, school uniforms, sufficient food or even beds for their children. “I see how deeply these families appreciate any assistance we can give; I see them working hard; I see them involved in their children’s education. When a child has nowhere to turn and they come to us …

I realize how important this project is and it means everything to me.”

D DAMIEN

Modesty in the face of sterling accomplishments.

He didn’t want to join Y.A.G.A. (Youth Against Gang Activity) but a friend talked him into it his freshman year … and Y.A.G.A. has helped him become a confident leader.

He served on a panel of student and adult speakers that convinced Intel and Best Buy to build a state-of-the-art Teen Tech Center in San Antonio at The Neighborhood Place.

One of many teens who now rely on the Teen Tech Center to study and advance their skills, Damien feeds his love for science and electronics, discovered a passion for astronomy and has developed college goals. He mentors and inspires neighborhood elementary school children through Y.A.G.A. and has earned high marks in science at University Interscholastic League competition. Now, he’s an athlete, a dedicated student and a shining star on the west side and in his family.

And he is too modest to boast about any of his achievements.

Instead, he credits YAGA and the Teen Tech Center. “The staff has always been there for me when I needed them and I try to pay that back by helping other kids,” he says.

FAMILY FA M ILY SERVICE SE R V IC E AASSOCIATION SSO C IATIO N OF SAN ANTONIO, INC.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID San Antonio, Texas Permit No. 3216

O F SA N A N TO N IO ,IN C .

702 San Pedro San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 299-2400 www.family-service.org

OUR CORE VALUES: RESPECT, RESPONSIVENESS, EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY.

Our Mission: Empowering individuals and families to transform their lives and strengthen their community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Greenwood, Chair Leticia C. Mond, Past Chair

Bradley C. Barron, Vice Chair Wade L. Scroggins, Treasurer

Susan B. McGee, Secretary Nancy L. Hard, President/CEO

BOARD MEMBERS: Lauren Sracic Ciminello • Thomas Duckworth • Ramon Flores • S. Carl Friedsam • Dana M. Gasparek Matt Harrison • Pete Humble • Daniel (Dan) Jacob, Jr. • Howard Kasanoff • J. Earl King • Adelicia Acklen Leeper • Sandra Nannini Maclovio Perez, Jr. • Shannon B. Schmoyer • MG (USA-Ret) Alfred A. Valenzuela Family • Sharon P. Wood • Gayle C. Youngblood • Anna R. Ziegler Your bequest to Family Service Association will ensure that our work continues into the future.

If you would like to consider a gift to Family Service in your will, please call (210) 299-2409.