annual report 2014-2015
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Who We Are
Our Mission
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Our History
Mindy’s Story
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Measured Success
Financials
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Looking Forward
Get Involved
Dear Friends, It is with great pleasure that we share with you the accomplishments of Yesh Tikvah in our annual report. Since it’s inception, Yesh Tikvah has assisted over 40 individuals, subsidized hundreds of therapy sessions and allocated more than $50,000 towards counseling. In the following pages you will meet our board members, read about our vision and share our goals for the future. At this time, we would also like to express our gratitude to the many individuals whose support has given Yesh Tikvah wings and transformed our dream into reality. Enjoy the read,
AL Joseph Director
Suri Goldman Board Chair
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WHO WE ARE
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FOUNDER & DIRECTOR Rabbi Aryeh Leib Joseph Rabbi Joseph is a well 足known community activist in the Cleveland community. He was motivated to found Yesh Tikvah when he saw firsthand how the prohibitive costs of therapy prevented many from getting crucial help they needed. Rabbi Joseph is imbued with a strong sense of mission and is passionate about achieving his goal: to promote emotional stability and health for individuals and families facing mental health challenges. Rabbi Joseph is also trained in and very knowledgeable of the parameters, eligibility criteria, and availability of social service programs and government funding. He actively assists eligible candidates in obtaining Medicaid coverage.
to promote emotional stability and health for individuals and families facing mental health challenges. 5
ADVISOR Dr. Mendel E. Singer Ph.D., M.P.H.
Associate Professor, Case Western Reserve University, and Vice Chair of Education.
Dr. Singer is Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Education in the department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, and has served on the faculty since 1995. He is a well published researcher with over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and has been funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and other federal and national funders. He is an internationally reputed expert with many publications in comparative and cost effectiveness research. Dr. Singer serves on the advisory board for Jewish Family Services’ FamiliesatRisk division, and has been active in their Know Abuse program which educates teens about healthy relationships. Dr. Singer also began the Jewish Community Health Initiative at CWRU to help Jews lead healthier lives. He has been honored by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health for his work with the Jewish community.
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LEGAL COUNSEL Susan O. Scheutzow Esq. Partner, Kohrman Jackson & Krantz
Susan has practiced health care law for thirty years, and has a wide range of experience with nonprofits and health care. She has authored numerous law review articles and monographs and her published works include “Ohio Health Care Provider Law,� which is used by health law attorneys across the state. Susan is a fellow of the American Health Lawyers Association, and has received numerous recognitions and awards. Susan is very sensitive to the needs of individuals suffering from mental illness, and is a Member of the Board of Hugs 4 Families.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MRS. SURI GOLDMAN Chair
Mrs. Goldman is the Director of Sales and Marketing at CenStar Energy. She is actively involved in the Cleveland community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, Montefiore, JECC, and Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. She is also a volunteer for Bikur Cholim. Suri’s energy and enthusiasm have contributed to Yesh Tikvah’s growth.
MRS. CHAYA GITTY KOHN Treasurer
Mrs. Kohn has been teaching adolescent girls for over twenty years. With her years of experience and insight into the emotional needs of her students and their families, Mrs. Kohn is acutely aware of the vital role played by accessible mental health services. Chaya Gitty volunteers with the senior Jewish population, as well as for Bikur Cholim. However, her paramount accomplishment is being a very involved mother of her nine children.
MRS. JESSICA COHEN Secretary
Jessica Cohen is the Managing Director of Community Relations for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. She most recently worked as the Senior Director of Grants and Foundation Relations at Friends of Breakthrough Schools where she oversaw the network’s portfolio of community, corporate, and family foundations and government grants, and directed advocacy efforts for the network. Mrs. Cohen has also served on the staff of U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and the Government Relations Committees of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and
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Menorah Park. She is currently a member of the Cleveland Heights Planning Commission Citizens. Mrs. Cohen received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University. She brings a wealth of expertise and practical knowledge of the non-profit world in Cleveland to help out for this worthy cause. She was chosen as one of Crains Cleveland Business Forty Under Forty in 2015.
MR. AVI MEYSTEL
Mr. Meystel is the Director of Development at the American Academy of Facial Esthetics and is the CEO of STATDDS. He is also Vice President of The Cleveland Torah Center. Avi is very sensitive to the needs of individuals requiring mental health services and his input has been a valuable asset to Yesh Tikvah’s development.
RABBI ELI DESSLER
Rabbi Eli Dessler serves as Financial Director of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland and is responsible for meeting the school’s annual budget. He is also on the Board of Cleveland Jewish News. Rabbi Dessler’s family is well known for their broadranging activities on behalf of the greater Jewish community in America and abroad. Rabbi Dessler gives tirelessly of his time to further Yesh Tikvah’s important cause.
RABBI BARRY KISLOWICZ Ed.D.
Rabbi Barry Kislowicz serves as Head of School at Fuchs Mizrach School in Cleveland, OH, and has worked as a teacher and administrator at the school since 2004. In his position, Rabbi Kislowicz sees firsthand the importance of having a healthy and functioning family unit to effectively support the education of future generations. 9
INTAKE COMMITTEE MRS. MARILYN S. BERGER Ed.M., M.A.
Marilyn S. Berger is a Psychology Assistant who has worked in private practice in clinical psychology for the last twenty five years. She does individual therapeutic work with children, divorce mediation and psycho足educational evaluations. Mrs. Berger holds degrees from Princeton, Rutgers and Cleveland State Universities. Under the auspices of the Orthodox Mental Health Professionals of Cleveland, Mrs. Berger recently organized a five session training seminar for the Orthodox Rabbinate on issues related to mental health. Marilyn is highly respected in the community for her professionalism and devotion to the welfare of her clients and their families. She has played a pivotal role in the founding and development of Yesh Tikvah.
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ADMINISTRATOR MISS LEAH PALLANT
Leah Pallant is the current Administrator of Yesh Tikvah’s day to day functions. She graduated from Oberlin College in 2012 and has spent her time postÂgraduation building a solid social service background. Her experience ranges from a volunteer placement centering on food security with the AmeriCorps VISTA program to her current work around health care access in the greater Cleveland community. She is well versed in Medicaid, Marketplace, and private insurance enrollment and subscriber advocacy. Her work with refugee and immigrant populations through the Community Health Center system in Cleveland has helped her to fully appreciate the necessity of culturally appropriate and financially accessible mental health services. She has been recognized by the White House, the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, and a national Affordable Care Act assister organization for her outstanding and tireless work around health insurance access.
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RABBI NAFTALI BURNSTEIN
Rabbi Burnstein serves as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Greater Cleveland, located in Beachwood. He is on the Rabbinic Board of Cleveland Kosher and is a member of the Vaad HaChinuch of the Hebrew Academy. He is held in high regard in the community, and his sagacious counsel is sought by a broad spectrum of individuals and institutions alike. Rabbi Burnstein is particularly attuned to the challenges in marital harmony faced by many in the community.
RABBI BORUCH HIRSCHFELD
Rabbi Hirschfeld is the Dean of Torah Life Institute and serves as Rabbi of the Ahavas Yisrael Shul in Cleveland Heights. His guidance is sought on virtually every halachic and communal issue within the Cleveland community and he has gained national acclaim and recognition for the clarity and depth of his halachic rulings. Rabbi Hirshfeld is actively involved in assisting couples with resolving conflict and maintaining healthy and productive marriages.
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Yesh Tikvah is committed to subsidizing mental health counseling and treatment for individuals who are unable to pay for these services.
MISSION
Yesh Tikvah provides funding to individuals in the community with discretion, dignity, and fiduciary responsibility. 13
HISTORY Yesh Tikvah was founded by Rabbi Aryeh Leib Joseph when he became aware of the increasing prevalence of individuals whose mental health needs were being neglected due to lack of adequate funding. Upon extensive consultation with rabbinical figures, communal leaders, and mental health professionals. Yesh Tikvah was formed.
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giving the gift of hope
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Mindy’s* Story Mindy was a 23 year old victim of abuse, suffering from trauma and anxiety, and having difficulty in the home setting.
IN MINDY’S WORDS: “Before
“Yesh Tikvah has helped me
coming to Yesh Tikvah i was
tremendously... to pay for therapy
spending $600 a month on
that I needed so badly.
therapy, $40 a month on my gym membership and $60 on my phone bill. I also volunteer at ”Kids in Silence” so some of my money goes towards taking out the kids in the family that I work with. ...Anything I need, shoes, clothing and stuff like that, I pay for on my own as my parents are not in a position to help.” Yesh Tikvah approved Mindy’s application for 18 sessions and paid
Since I didn’t have to pay in full... it also allowed me to save up so that I can move out of my parent’s home and continue to take steps towards my personal growth and development.
I am extremely appreciative to Yesh Tikvah for helping me. I was really very stuck and didn’t have anyone else to help me”.
50% of the cost of each session. After completing the course of therapy MIndy sent the following email: * names and details have been changed to protect privacy
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Yaakov & Elena
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IN ELENA’S WORDS: “We were living in the beautiful city of Denver when my husband got notice that he would be out of a job in six months.”
For six long months Yaakov searched for a job in his field with no luck. He tried to look outside his field, but after completing graduate school and with a lot of debt to pay back, he needed something that would be enough to support a family. As the six month deadline approached we made the difficult decision to move back to our hometown (Cleveland) as we could not afford to pay rent or buy food without his job. I had a great job, but it was not enough to support a family. We had nowhere to live, no jobs, and had to pay for day school tuition for our four children. We were fortunate enough to be able to live with Yaakov’s parents, but with four children and no jobs it was a great strain on his family and ours both financially and emotionally. Yaakov spent the next year searching for a job, but as time went on, and he had no luck, he slipped into a severe, dark depression. I had never seen
him like this. He slept a lot, was antisocial and no one could shake this dark cloud off of him.He was moody and often expressed his desperation in rage against the people around him. He began to lose faith and contemplated ending his life.He thought that maybe I was the problem and considered leaving the marriage. The truth is that we did not have a good marriage, and there was years of fighting and contempt between us. I also had things to work on that contributed to marital difficulty. In addition Yaakov had a lot of childhood baggage to deal with and coming back to his hometown brought back painful memories of abuse. I didn’t know what to do. I called several Rabbis in Denver who knew my husband well, but he did not return any of their phone calls. The situation was getting more and more desperate. I called a local Rabbi/ Psychologist, who I knew since
before I was married. He advised me to contact Yesh Tikvah. Baruch Hashem, we qualified and received a grant to see Dr. Cohen weekly for marital and personal counseling. Dr. Cohen, is known to be the best of the best in his field and is the right fit for our family. Yesh Tikvah, if approved, allows clients to choose their own therapist. Although we are still struggling with many issues, after 9 months of therapy my husband and our marriage took a complete turnaround. My husband found a great job in his field, and our family is slowly returning to normal. I f
we did not receive the grant from Yesh Tikvah, I cannot imagine what my life would be like right now....Yaakov and I are truly grateful and hope that other people will have the opportunity to benefit from Yesh Tikva”. * names and details have been changed to protect privacy
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MEASURED SUCCESS In November of 2014, with the input of Dr. Mendel Singer, a survey program was implemented to track Yesh Tikvah’s successes. All new clients are asked to complete surveys before and during each cycle of therapy in an effort to quantify the effectiveness of the program. The average therapy cycle can run for the better part of a year, therefore the following figures are based on the responses of 16 clients before therapy began and 7 clients who had already commenced their course of therapy.
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Clients were asked to rate their overall mental and emotional health before beginning therapy and after at least 3 months of treatment. Significant gains were seen towards improved mental health after the course of therapy.
Before/After: Overall Emotional/Mental Health 60%
56% 50%
43%
40%
43%
30%
25%
20%
19% 14% 10%
0%
POOR
FAIR
GOOD
VERY GOOD
EXCELLENT
Before After 19
2
Clients were asked about day to day activities and interactions, and then asked to quantify the effect therapy had on day-to-day life. Despite a limited sample size we were able to see a trend of measured improvement.
Prevented from Functioning at Daily Activities 45% 40% 35%
36%
30%
20%
29%
29%
25%
21%
21%
43%
7%
15%
14%
10% 5% 0%
ALMOST EVERY DAY
Before After 20
MORE THAN HALF THE TIME
ABOUT HALF THE TIME
LESS THAN HALF THE TIME
RARELY OR NOT AT ALL
Interference with Normal Social Interactions 60% 50%
50% 43%
40%
43%
30%
25%
20%
25% 14%
10%
0%
ALMOST EVERY DAY
MORE THAN HALF THE TIME
ABOUT HALF THE TIME
LESS THAN HALF THE TIME
RARELY OR NOT AT ALL
Before After 21
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Finally, the survey attempted to document the general outlook of a given individual before and after therapy. Two questions were used to encompass the possibility of change in perspective and overall change in outlook. Clients were asked before therapy to quantify their feelings of hopefulness in the future and then, at the end of therapy, clients were asked if they felt their time working with a therapist had changed their minds. Though the numbers representing the hope of a positive future are fairly strong both before and after therapy, our clients unequivocally agree that progress was made during their time working with a provider.
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Hopeful About the Future 60%
57% 50%
43%
40%
36% 30%
29%
28%
20%
10%
7% 0% STRONGLY DISAGREE
DISAGREE
NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
AGREE
STRONGLY AGREE
Was Progress Made During Therapy? 60%
57%
50% 40% 30%
33%
20% 10% 0% STRONGLY DISAGREE
DISAGREE
NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE
AGREE
STRONGLY AGREE
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FINANCIALS We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our generous donors. With your help we have been able to assist over 30 clients in the past year! 24
This translates into over 387 counseling sessions, with $33,579.75 of last year’s budget going directly to funding the cost of clients therapy. This represents 30 individuals who are better able to be supportive spouses, understanding parents, and productive members of our community thanks to skills gained through their therapeutic work. Most importantly, Yesh Tikvah did not have to turn away a single person for lack of funds during the past fiscal year. This represents both a huge triumph and a high bar for the future, as we strive to continue to provide as much help as possible to our community. We have made other strides towards greater visibility, most notably the creation of an attractive website, YTforHope.org, which provides an easily accessible snapshot of Yesh Tikvah’s mission and process. The website also provides a way for potential clients to understand the application process and allows them to privately reach out for assistance. All forms are now available online to download, and we are looking forward to creating online application options. Yesh Tikvah received its 501(c)(3) status in August of 2014, and that determination has opened up a number of opportunities for funding, recognition, and transparency as an official member of the nonprofit world. After just one complete fiscal year the organization has been awarded GuideStar’s Bronze level recognition which acknowledges that Yesh Tikvah is on the road to high level financial transparency and accountability. Yesh Tikvah has also had the opportunity to become a member of the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC) of Ohio. The MHAC unifies more than 100 Ohio based organizations that serve as vocal advocates for much needed support for those struggling with mental health issues.
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LOOKING FORWARD Yesh Tikvah is looking forward to some
Participants were asked a series of questions
exciting developments in the upcoming year.
about depression, stress, and living up to
Financially, the goal is to increase funding
expectations. High school girls were then
through donations by at least 10% in order to
asked some additional questions about
continue to expand available services. The organization hopes to expand to service youth between the ages of 14-17.The impetus to begin to offer services to this age group is a survey administered in 2010 by Dr. Mendel Singer Ph.D. MPH, who also runs the Jewish Community Health Initiative website. The survey took place over the course of two weeks at schools in Cleveland. All participants self-足identified as either Modern Orthodox or Charedi, and the results quite compellingly demonstrate the need for mental health care among this age group.
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Did you feel overwhelmed by the demands placed on your life last month? 20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Overall
Boys
Girls
body image. The results across the board
combined with the number of requests for
were staggering. From the 43% of girls
services for those under 18, this study has
across the board who identified themselves
made it eminently clear to all those involved
as unhappy with their body image to the
in our mission that expanding services is the
nearly 42% of students who identified
logical next step for Yesh Tikvah.
themselves as bothered by at least one of the major symptoms of depression during the past month at the time the survey was administered. These are precisely the thought processes and feelings that lead individuals toward therapy and support services as adults, and the origins are clearly visible in the students surveyed! Many individuals will indeed learn healthy coping mechanisms and problem solving strategies as they age, but early intervention can literally be be life-saving to some of these students. When
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GET INVOLVED PLEASE PARTNER WITH US IN OUR LIFE TRANSFORMING WORK!
If you would like to be involved please send an email to volunteers@ytforhope.org or leave us a message at 216-403-2726. Enclosed please find a return envelope so that you too can be a part of Yesh Tikvah’s mission. Donations can also be made online at ytforhope.org/donate. If you or one of your loved ones could benefit from our services, please visit our website ytforhope.org or call us at 216-403-2726. All Information is strictly confidential.
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A heartfelt thank you to the following individuals and businesses who contributed their time, energy and resources to our cause:
Mr. Shloime Heifetz for assistance in our computer programming. STATDDS for the office equipment. Mr. Ben Greenberger of Computers Made Simple for all his technical support. Boris Kosher Meats for hosting our annual Fish Head Fundraiser. Kinneret Kosher Pizza for partnering with Yesh Tikvah on Small Business Saturday.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
Corporate Sponsor:
P: 216-403-2726
W: ytforhope.org
E: info@ytforhope.org
@ytforhope