Straight Ahead Ministries, Inc.

Transcription

1 Straight Ahead Ministries, Inc. General Information 791 Main Street Worcester, MA (508) Website Organization Contact Scott Larson Year of Incorporation

2 Statements & Search Criteria Mission Statement Headquartered in Worcester, MA, Straight Ahead Ministries is a national non-profit that reduces recidivism among juvenile and young adult offenders through programs in correctional facilities and in the community. Since 1987, SAM has served more than 75,000 youth in over 400 secure facilities across the nation. We have worked closely with the MA Department of Youth Services for more than 28 years to serve high-risk juvenile offenders. Background Statement Straight Ahead Ministries (SAM) began running youth discussion and support groups in juvenile detention facilities in 1987 and has worked with the MA Department of Youth Services in various ways ever since. In 1990, SAM opened its first aftercare home for up to seven boys transitioning out of lock-up in MA. The recidivism rate for those who lived there is just 6%. In 1992, SAM developed the Boston Urban Church Network to mobilize and support churches to engage in outreach and support for juvenile offenders. In 1995, SAM formed its first affiliate, in Georgia. We now have affiliates in 15 states and 5 countries. In 2004, Public/Private Ventures, Inc. chose our Boston/Lynn program as a national demonstration for best practices in juvenile re-entry, as part of an initiative funded by the US Department of Justice and the Casey and Ford Foundations. The recidivism rate for 210 youth after three years was just 14.8%. From , SAM operated Straight Ahead Academy, an innovative reentry residential facility for youth transitioning out of juvenile facilities. 26 students attended the Academy; 19 graduated, 12 attained their GED s, and six went on to college. In 2006, the Lynn Police Department selected SAM as its Shannon Grant partner to create the first youth street worker program for gang involved youth. In 2008, with a grant secured by Congressman James McGovern, the Worcester Youth Re-entry Project was launched as the first replication model of our Lynn Youth Re-entry Project. In 2008, SAM launched a Master s degree in Juvenile Justice Ministries through Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary s Center for Urban Ministerial Education; and a bachelor s degree through Gordon College. Students enrolled in these programs come from 29 states and three countries. In late 2011, we purchased a 3-story building at 1 Munroe Street, Lynn to house our re-entry program there, and finished renovations of the building in early In 2012 we moved the organization's headquarters to Main South area of Worcester and opened three social venture businesses to employ youth coming out of lock-up and back into Worcester. In 2015, we opened an office in Lawrence, MA to bring needed resources to youth exiting the correctional facilities. We're in the process of staffing this new Youth Re-entry Site. Impact Statement 2015 Accomplishments: 1. We opened our fifth social venture business to employ youth coming out of lock-up, a furniture reupholstery business ( This is in addition to a café ( catering business, re-sale store ( and silkscreen business ( 2. We expanded into Lawrence, MA for community-based re-entry, making it the third such site, in addition to Worcester and Lynn, MA. 3. We divided Executive Director responsibilities into a Director of Programs, and a Director of Operations, both under the President of the organization. 4. We built an aftercare home for youth coming out of prison in Ukraine, which will hold up to 12 youth. Goals for 2016: 1. We are moving to a "hub and spoke" model of re-entry, beginning with a full-time staff to be hired in Southeastern MA who will cover New Bedford, Fall River, Brockton, and Taunton. 2. The second "hub and spoke" re-entry model we will open is in South Portland, ME, which will over youth going back to Lewiston, ME, and all points south. 3. To launch our "Every Youth, Every Facility" initiative which will partner with others across the U.S. to provide effective juvenile justice ministry to all youth in the 1,985 juvenile facilities in the U.S. 2

3 Needs Statement 1. Making each of our social enterprises self-sustaining for cost of goods and labor, and facility utility costs. 2. To locate and hire a national director to oversee the establishment of the Every Youth, Every Facility Initiative. 3. To expand into seven urban areas in New England through our Hub and Spoke model within three years. 4. To establish an Institute of Juvenile Justice Ministries where best practice models can be disseminated to influence the direction of juvenile justice nationally toward more strength-based, positive youth development. 5. To refine and expand our youth internship program to serve more youth and better equip them for full-time employment with juvenile offenders. CEO/Executive Director Statement SAM uniquely blends two approaches: a relationship model, with peer and adult mentoring provided by volunteers and other community resources, and a professional case management and counseling model. Our founder and president, Dr. Scott Larson, has written 13 books on reaching high-risk youth, and is a national trainer for the Department of Justice to provide training to other organizations on strength-based, positive youth development models. More than 5,000 organizations and individuals have either attended those training seminars or acquired curriculum materials from Straight Ahead Ministries over the past 28 years. Board Chair Statement Straight Ahead is governed by a small, but diverse board. Board members are all financial contributors and are also all personally involved in the organization. We oversee all program operations, provide financial fiduciary oversight, and assist staff in outreach to affiliates and potential new partners, and help develop other resources. SAM s work is broad, including both programs that it directly operates like the Worcester and Lynn Youth Re-entry Projects and initiatives that are carried out by affiliates across the US and abroad, with SAM training, technical assistance, and other resources. Service Categories Employment Preparation & Procurement Youth Development Programs Educational Services Geographic Areas Served SAM operates re-entry programs in Lynn, Worcester and Lawrence, MA. Lynn is a city of 90,000, with large Cambodian and Latino populations and ultra-high rates of dropout, crime, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy. Lynn ranks as one of the most violent city in MA. Worcester is a city of 183,000, New England s second largest. It has large Latino and African- American populations. Worcester is the fifth most violent city in Massachusetts. SAM is based in Main South, the city s neediest neighborhood. Lawrence is a city of 78,000, with a third of the population who are immigrants. It's considered the 3

4 poorest city in Massachusetts with the highest crime and unemployment rates. Please review online profile for full list of selected areas served. 4

5 Programs 1. Ready4Life Description SAM staff and volunteers lead R4L education and mutual support groups for youth and young adults in juvenile and adult corrections facilities in Massachusetts and elsewhere. This includes the Worcester House of Correction, Essex County Correctional Facility, and many facilities run by the Mass. Department of Youth Services. R4L is offered in various lengths and focuses, but most often as an intense, three-day seminar. It engages inmates in exercises and discussion that reveal how their thinking works, how it has led them to where they are now, and how they can change their mindset, make proactive decisions, and transform their lives. So often, young inmates tell us of their desire for change and their weariness of violence and gang life. R4L is often an entry point into our Youth Re-entry Projects once young return to community life in Lynn or Worcester, but it has proven valuable for hundreds of participants, regardless of whether they get further support from SAM. Budget Category Crime & Legal, General/Other Criminal Justice & Corrections Population Served Offenders/Ex-Offenders,, Program Short Term Success Participants will increase their knowledge of mistakes they have made and patterns of thinking and behavior that they can use to avoid these mistakes in the future. Participants will increase their motivation toward pro-social behavior. Some participants will participate in the Youth Re-Entry Project once they return to the community from incarceration, though this is not required. Program Long term Success Participants will not be re-arrested in the three-year (and longer) period following incarceration. Participants will avoid re-involvement in gangs, criminal activity, and drug and alcohol use. Program Success Monitored By Staff and Peer Leader observation and notes, participant feedback through short surveys, participant interviews. 5

6 Examples of Program Success The recidivism rate for Lynn participants decreased to under 10%, even below its previous low rates over the past few years. In addition, gang violence in Lynn has fallen by 60% over past two years and it is clear that the Youth Re-entry Project has contributed significantly to this reduction. The recidivism rate for Worcester participants was 16.5% this past year, compared with 60% for juvenile offenders not in the program. 6

7 2. Youth Re-entry Project Description YRP helps juveniles and young adults in Lynn, Worcester, and Lawrence, MA, transform their outlooks, set and pursue goals, and contribute to their communities. YRP will serve about 500 formerly incarcerated youth in At its heart is a set of mentoring relationships for youth with strong, patient, and caring staff and volunteers. These adults reach, guide, and find resources for each youth. This is complemented by a positive peer environment, employing older participants as peer leaders and assistant streetworkers. Built around these relationships are many activities. A drop-in center, streetwork, and recreation help us reach and engage youth. Training,classes, andhands-on experiences build skills essential to self-esteem, educational and career success, and a positive future. Leadership training, paid work, and community service build leadership skills and civic engagement. YRP and its many partners help youth and families to access benefits, services, and opportunities. Budget Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Youth Development, General/Other Youth Development, General/Other Offenders/Ex-Offenders, At-Risk Populations, Minorities Participants will engage in counseling, case management, mentoring, and other services provided directly by the YRP program or by a partner. Participants will increase their motivation toward pro-social behavior. Participants will not be re-arrested in the three-year (and longer) period following incarceration. Participants will avoid re-involvement in gangs, criminal activity, and drug and alcohol use. The program will reduce rates of subsequent criminal activity among program participants. We will measure the number and percent of collaborating partners who attend quarterly coordination meetings and the number and percent of participants who are served by each collaborating partner and who receive key services directly from YRP or from a partner. We will use CORI data to measure the number of participants who are arrested for any crime. 7

8 Examples of Program Success The recidivism rate for Lynn participants decreased to under 10%, even below its previous low rates over the past few years. In addition, gang violence in Lynn has fallen by 60% over past two years and it is clear that the Youth Re-entry Project has contributed significantly to this reduction. The recidivism rate for Worcester participants was 16.5% this past year, compared with 60% for juvenile offenders not in the program. Other evaluation data, based on widely used surveys and other tools, shows significant gains in specific skills, attitudes, and engagement with peers, school, and community. 8

9 3. Education and Employment Advancement (Straigh2Work) Description For youth returning from prison or detention, true transformation only takes hold when they can set and achieve educational and vocational goals. That s why we ve developed and recently expanded programming in Lynn and Worcester. Our Straight2Work initiative offers: * Career and employability counseling plus a four-week preemployment class. * Pre-vocational and vocational skills training. * Supported work experience, using many local employers and stipends from a state grant. Community service and social ventures offer additional options. Educational support includes: * Educational counseling, goal-setting, and ongoing support. * Partnerships with public schools and other programs in each city to help youth re-enter school or pursue an alternative path to a diploma. * GED classes in Lynn, run in partnership with Catholic Charities. * Individual and family support to pursue college and other postsecondary opportunities, including partnerships with two local community colleges. Budget Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Employment, General/Other Youth Job Training & Employment Offenders/Ex-Offenders, At-Risk Populations, Minorities Participants will engage in employment and education services provided directly by the YRP program or by a partner. Participants will attend high school, GED programs, or 2- or 4-year college. Participants will obtain their diploma, GED, or college degree. Participants will complete job skills training or internships. Participants will avoid re-involvement in gangs, criminal activity, and drug and alcohol use. Following training and supported work experience, participants will achieve employment full- or part-time in unsubsidized jobs. For Straight2Work program participants, benchmarks are 80% attaining unsubsidized employment and/or continued educational advancement and 90% improving life skills as measured by the Ansell-Casey index. We will set somewhat lower benchmarks for the overall participant population, which receives slightly less intensive job and life skills training. We will measure the number and percent of participants who participate in and who complete each education and employment program component. We will administer the Ansell-Casey index at different times to assess changes in life skills. 9

10 Examples of Program Success In 2012, we had an 81% job placement rate for youth completing the Worcester Straight2Work program. 10

11 4. Gang Reconciliation Description Gang activity and violence are rampant in both Lynn and Worcester, but SAM is fortunate to have strategies and links---to law enforcement and, most important, to gang members and exmembers---to stem the worst inter-gang violence and to steer many young gang members in alternative directions. Staff and assistant streetworkers (hired from Youth Re-entry Project veterans) reach out regularly to participants and other high-risk youth. We target gang members and gang wannabees hanging out in the streets of Lynn. Contacts are made on street corners, in city parks, and at other hot spots. As streetworkers build rapport with gang members, they can direct individuals into more positive pursuits and also intervene to reduce gang conflict prior to an occurrence. This outreach work, like the drop-in center, is separate from the more intense re-entry work with a defined set of Youth Re-entry Project participants, but these activities overlap and often strongly complement each other. Budget Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success Youth Development, General/Other Youth Development, General/Other At-Risk Populations, Poor,Economically Disadvantaged,Indigent, Minorities Participants will engage in counseling, case management, activities, community services, mentoring, and other services provided directly by the YRP program or by a partner. Participants will increase their motivation toward pro-social behavior. Participants will avoid re-involvement in gangs, criminal activity, and drug and alcohol use. Participants will be employed full- or part-time or engaged in education or training. Each city will experience reductions in gang violence and criminal activity. We will collect and anlyze staff and Peer Leader observation and notes, participant feedback through short surveys, and participant interviews, focused on assessing changes in pro-social orientation. We will measure the number and percent of participants who participate in various YRP program component. We will examine long-term city-wide changes in gang and criminal activity for each city. Gang violence in Lynn fell by 60% over the past two years and it is clear---to our staff and to the Lynn Police and other law enforcement agencies---that LYRP has contributed significantly to this reduction. 11

12 5. Social Ventures Description To generate income for participants, teach them vocational and employability skills (complementing, and serve the community, we have created several enterprises. In Lynn, Original Gear is a fullyequipped silkscreening, T-shirt, and graphic design business thatpays and trains youth in design, marketing, finance, and business management. We will soon open a barber shop at our downtown facility, enabling participants to apprentice and become licensed barbers. Budget Category Population Served Program Short Term Success Program Long term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success Community Development, General/Other Community Economic Development Offenders/Ex-Offenders, At-Risk Populations, Minorities Employees (i.e. program participants) will succeed in acquiring and maintaining positive work habits and skills. Participants will engage in counseling, case management, training, and other services provided by the program. Participants will achieve stable employment in unsubsidized jobs, primarily related to their long-term career goals set during their program participation. Each social venture will build revenue to become partially or fully self-sustaining. We will collect and anlyze Caseworker and work supervisor observation and notes and participant feedback through short surveys, all aimed at assessing changes in employability skills (e.g. punctuality, teamwork, appropriate behavior) and specific work skills. We will count and assess participation in YRP counseling, case management, training, and other services. We will determine the number of participants who successfully complete social venture employment and the number who go on to other significant employment. We will assess income-expense statements for each venture to assess progress toward self-sustainability. In 2012 in Worcester, Straight Up Café and Straight Up Community Center combined to employ 22 participants, young gang-involved men and women coming out of lock-up. Most of them went on to obtain other jobs. Program Comments CEO Comments We believe nothing stops a bullet like a job, and so have made job readiness and placement a top priority in our community-based re-entry programs. The communities we serve in Lynn, Lawrence, and Worcester already have extremely high unemployment rates, especially for the population we serve. It is of course a challenge to get this population ready for gainful employment, so case 12

13 management and creating positive community around these youth is especially important. 13

14 Management CEO/Executive Director Executive Director Dr. Scott J Larson Term Start May scott@straightahead.org Experience Founded Straight Ahead Ministries in Serves as a national trainer and developer of innovative strength-based juvenile justice programs. Senior Staff Mr. Guy LeDuc Title Director of Operations Experience/Biography Mr. Jim Unis Title Director of MA Outreach Experience/Biography Mr. Jeffry Kiel Title Director of Strategic Initiatives Experience/Biography Mr. Thomas Slicklen Title Director of Development Experience/Biography Staff Information Full Time Staff Part Time Staff Volunteers Contractors Retention Rate % Staff Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black Asian American/Pacific Islander

15 Caucasian 15 Hispanic/Latino 8 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 Staff Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified Formal Evaluations CEO Formal Evaluation CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency Senior Management Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency NonManagement Formal Evaluation Non Management Formal Evaluation Frequency Annually Annually Annually Plans & Policies Organization has a Fundraising Plan? Organization has a Strategic Plan? Years Strategic Plan Considers Under Development Date Strategic Plan Adopted Aug 2012 Does your organization have a Business Continuity of Operations Plan? Management Succession Plan? Organization Policy and Procedures Nondiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Document Destruction Policy Directors and Officers Insurance Policy Is your organization licensed by the Government? Permit? 3 No Under Development Under Development No No Exempt Collaborations * Corrections and Law Enforcement - We work with the Mass. Dept. of Youth Services, local police 15

16 and sheriff s departments, the courts, and corrections facilities in both Lynn and Worcester. * Safe and Successful Youth Initiative - We are active in both cities coalitions of city, social service, and law enforcement agencies plus churches, health providers, and schools. * Education and Employment - We work with education, training, and support agencies in both cities. * Family Health and Mental Health Services - We work in each city with the Mass. Dept. of Children and Families, nearly every local health provider, and several private clinicians. * Churches and Temples - We work with local faith-based networks to involve volunteers, get donated items, and connect participants to grass-roots support. * Regional Environmental Council - In Worcester, we partner with the REC to provide summer jobs in urban gardening projects. * Catholic Charities in Lynn offers a five-day per week, on-site GED program. * Children s Law Center of Mass. provides legal services and program evaluation in Lynn. * Other - We work with organizations meeting housing, recreation, culture, benefits, and material needs. Our community service programs work with diverse agencies, including ones serving the homeless. Affiliations Affiliation Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability - Member Year

17 Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Mr. David Quinones Company Affiliation Retired Managing Partner, Accenture Term May 2009 to 0 dbquin@aol.com Board CoChair Board CoChair Dr. Richard Pyle Company Affiliation Retired Professor of Business Management Term May 2011 to 0 richard.pyle@yahoo.com Board Members Name Affiliation Status Paul Hubley Retired Voting Dr. Scott Larson Straight Ahead Ministries, Inc. Voting Hanne Larson Social Worker Voting Lisa Phellps Wealth Management Consultant Voting Dr. Richard Pyle Retired Voting David Quinones Retired Voting Dr. Charles Slagan Psychologist Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander 1 Caucasian 5 Hispanic/Latino 1 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male Female Unspecified Board Information 17

18 Board Term Lengths Board Term Limits Number of Full Board Meetings Annually Board Meeting Attendance % Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions Constituency Includes Client Representation % 100% 100% Comments CEO Comments The Board of Directors meets every two months, and is actively involved in long term strategic planning as well as the governance and financial oversight of the organization. 18

19 Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Apr 01, 2015 Fiscal Year End Mar 31, 2016 Projected Revenue $2,219, Projected Expenses $2,219, Endowment? No Spending Policy Income Only Credit Line? No Reserve Fund? Months Reserve Fund Covers 4 Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year Total Revenue $2,274,011 $2,378,541 $2,053,380 Total Expenses $2,390,947 $2,329,516 $1,955,129 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year Foundation and Corporation $484,699 Contributions Government Contributions $402,242 $452,323 $362,719 Federal State $67,717 Local $274,501 Unspecified $402,242 $452,323 $20,501 Individual Contributions $1,712,621 $1,734,541 $1,035,645 Indirect Public Support Earned Revenue $152,682 $178,339 $116,824 Investment Income, Net of Losses $6,466 $13,338 $53,493 Membership Dues Special Events Revenue In-Kind Other

20 Expense Allocation Fiscal Year Program Expense $1,686,149 $1,737,804 $1,421,937 Administration Expense $477,144 $424,622 $388,934 Fundraising Expense $227,654 $167,090 $144,258 Payments to Affiliates Total Revenue/Total Expenses Program Expense/Total Expenses 71% 75% 73% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 11% 8% 8% Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year Total Assets $2,241,399 $2,409,179 $2,391,877 Current Assets $743,167 $1,550,321 $1,608,453 Long-Term Liabilities $6,000 $6,000 $6,000 Current Liabilities $38,901 $89,745 $97,610 Total Net Assets $2,196,498 $2,313,434 $2,288,267 Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 0% 0% 0% Top Funding Sources Fiscal Year Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? No Comments Foundation Staff Comments Financial summary data in charts and graphs are per the organization's IRS 990s. Contributions from foundations and corporations are listed under individuals when the breakout was not available. Created Copyright 2018 The Boston Foundation 20