2 19/2 ANNUAL REPORT DEAR FRIENDS, Looking back, we could not have asked for a better start to our fiscal year. We were fortunate to be the recipient of two prized gifts – the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Award and the Walter B. Gerken Award presented by Pacific Life. These awards recognized our response to the intersectional needs surrounding housing and responding to the trauma of survivors. A response, made possible by you.
Little did we know what lay ahead, and yet the distinguished recognition and support we received last fall positioned us to adapt and respond to the dynamic situation that ensued MISSION with the pandemic. To ignite social change by The idea that people should be safer at home pushed our mission to the forefront of educating Orange County awareness as the pandemic came to a crescendo. Social isolation increases the risk for victims of domestic violence. As the world sheltered for safety, the homes of many to recognize relationship individuals and families, like Rebecca’s, quarantined with their abusers were increasingly violence as an issue dangerous.
that threatens everyone, Rebecca appeared at the front door of our business office one day, having walked over from advocating for those affected her job. Her employer recognized the signs of abuse and intervened, allowing her to leave early to seek assistance. Rebeca’s situation illuminates not only the increased desperation, Maricela Rios‑Faust by abuse, extending a but also the need to educate and empower those in a position to help. Isolated from typical MSW, LCSW, CFRE safe place for victims and sources of assistance, the need for prevention education became all the more heightened in Chief Executive Officer order to help employers like Rebecca’s recognize the signs of abuse. empowering survivors on their In partnership with each of you and our neighbors, we quickly pivoted to a hybrid model journey of healing. of socially distanced in-person and virtual services. Together, we leaned in to our value of ingenuity to find ways to deal with the ripple effect of isolation through essential education and intervention services. The collective concern and resilience of our community shined through.
This year we highlight the concentric circles of people we seek to impact through our work – the individuals, families, communities and networks – who reciprocally come together to ignite social change. Through these areas of impact, we mobilize around a shared vision of a future in which children and families live free from violence and experience healthy relationships.
In gratitude, Diane W. Biagianti Board President Maricela and Diane
2019/20 VISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS We are committed to a future in OFFICERS DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Diane W. Biagianti, Ashley Allyn Michele I. Khoury Les Thomas Maricela Rios‑Faust, MSW, which every person and family President Anderee Berengian Mary Jo Mursa Jason Weintraub LCSW, CFRE, Celina Doka, Joe Ferrentino Wendy Peterson Chief Executive Officer in Orange County experiences Vice President Susan Heller Diana Robertson Kelley McGregor Andrew Gray, Lisa Hummelberg Linda Schilling Chief Development Officer safe, healthy relationships and Secretary Douglas Jackson Olga Smirnova Judith Rose, MSW, LCSW, Scott Allen, Rochelle Karr Kerri Sonenshine Chief Program Officer lives free from fear. Treasurer Michael A. Morris Kerri Summers Stirling Hunter Director of Finance
ANNUAL REPORT 2 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 3 ANNUAL REPORT 882first responders received domestic violence trainings in 2019.
39teenagers have completed the Human Options’ Teen EVERY INDIVIDUAL Ambassador Program. HAS THE POWER TO CREATE SOCIAL 158Human Options completed 158 trainings in prevention CHANGE education. Karlie Sanchez, age 19, knew she wasn’t in the best relationship, yet it wasn’t until she became a Human Options’ Teen Ambassador that her eyes were opened to the signs of relationship violence. As she progressed through the program, Karlie became aware of the danger she was in and the urgency to end her relationship. She developed a safety plan with support of our staff and was able to safely leave 4,912Human Options’ 24/7 hotline the unhealthy relationship. responded to 4,912 calls for crisis support, intervention Human Options’ Teen Ambassador Program equips teens like Karlie with the and referrals. education and leadership skills necessary to service their communities as active bystanders against dating violence. Some bring with them their own experiences, while others simply acknowledge the importance of understanding and recognizing the signs in order to intervene. As such, they serve as peer mentors, a resource, a helping hand and a sounding board for other youth that may be at- risk or are already in an abusive relationship.
Karlie is currently a college student majoring in criminal justice with the goal of continuing to counsel and support others experiencing relationship violence. She continues to share her personal experience with abuse through speaking engagements and participates in our awareness campaigns. INDIVIDUALS “I joined the Ambassador program to learn how to navigate It’s individuals like Karlie who help ignite social change by contributing their my own struggles of teen dating violence, in hopes to inspire unique gifts and lending their voice. Through this important prevention my community and that together we can stand up and fight education work, we envision a future free of relationship violence. against these struggles.” - Karlie Sanchez, Human Options’ Teen Ambassador
ANNUAL REPORT 4 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 5 ANNUAL REPORT 572Human Options offered 572 children and adults a safe place to stay in our shelter and transitional housing programs.
75%of families increased their RESILIENCY self-sufficiency and 70% increased resilency as a TO A BRIGHTER result of our services. FUTURE “Safe at Home” isn’t always the case for victims isolated with their abuser. Survivors like Evelyn demonstrate tremendous resilience in their pursuit of healing 181children were served in and breaking the cycle for future generations. Human Options’ Children’s Program; 80% of these During the lockdown, Evelyn spoke with a woman from church about the urgency children showed an increase to leave her husband. She shared, “I know he will kill us if we stay.” Evelyn and her in positive social interactions children made contact with Santa Ana Police Department who helped get them to with peers and adults after safety at our emergency shelter. graduating the program. Amidst a pandemic, Evelyn was determined to seek a better life for her family. Evelyn and her two children, Michael and Sophia, ages 6 and 4, were under extreme emotional distress and fear. Both benefitted and thrived in our Children’s Therapeutic Program by learning how to self-regulate their emotions, identify and communicate feelings, and express their anger in a healthy manner.
Evelyn used her time at the emergency shelter to begin healing from her trauma with the help of her therapist and case manager. She gained confidence in her parenting and her ability to become self-sufficient. Evelyn now is a beacon of hope to others in our programs demonstrating how they can be resilient and break the cycle of relationship violence for their families.
“Deep down I knew the only chance Michael and Sophia FAMILIES had to heal from all this trauma was if we left. Now that we By addressing the root causes of relationship violence and investing are getting the help we need, I can see the glow in Michael in prevention, the intergenerational cycle of violence is broken. Our and Sophia again, and know they will be just fine.”—Evelyn, understanding of the various intersections make it possible for us to Survivor respond to the complex needs of individuals and families.
ANNUAL REPORT 6 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 7 ANNUAL REPORT 85%of participants of our prevention education community presentations feel more comfortable responding to a friend experiencing domestic violence. INSPIRING LASTING CHANGE 4,608individuals participated in a For nearly 38 years, National Charity League (NCL), Newport has been an integral Human Options’ community community partner and first responder for victims and survivors of relationship presentation. violence. The Mother-Daughter philanthropic group is committed to community service and has transformed the lives of thousands of families at Human Options’ transitional housing programs.
Through the years, NCL has empowered families through connecting and 985children and adults received demonstrating their loving care. Members have transformed housing units into community-based services welcoming safe havens for incoming families. They have also given the gift of their through our six Walk-In time, providing monthly dinners and a family night activity for families to enjoy, and mentoring children in the Children’s program. Clothing donations from their thrift Centers. shop have prepared our clients for employment and school. These are just a few examples of the commitment NCL has to the resiliency and success of our families.
Human Options is incredibly grateful to all the mothers and daughters who have been a part of NCL, Newport. It is because of this dedicated community partnership, we are able to raise awareness in our community, ignite social change, and prevent future generations from being impacted by relationship violence.
“I will never forget the joy NCL brought my daughter COMMUNITIES as she celebrated her first holiday at Second Step surrounded by gifts, love and safety. It was their To ignite social change, it is vital that our community addresses violence kindness that made me feel that we’re worthy of as a public health issue. It is the advocacy and support of our community partners that inspires lasting change. being loved.” –Client Graduate
ANNUAL REPORT 8 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 9 ANNUAL REPORT
115collaborative partnerships have expanded beyond DV agencies to include organizations meeting the holistic needs of clients. A SAFE HOME MEANS EVERYTHING 85%of clients have increased or maintained their income One of the most commonly asked questions is why victims stay with an abuser. Often since benefiting from the times, victims of domestic violence are left with a difficult choice to make: remaining Housing First model. with an abusive partner or leave and risk homelessness. In fact, the main cause of homelessness for women in the U.S. is domestic violence. Which is why Human Options is part of the Housing Opportunities Mean Everything (HOME) cohort, a collaborative effort seeking to find radical solutions to end homelessness for women in California. Fundamental to this effort is the Housing First model, which utilizes 94%of children and adults obtained flexible financial assistance with the support and guidance of a case manager who permanent or transitional can assist in accessing services. housing upon exiting the shelter. Katherine is one example of the importance of this work. When the pandemic first occurred, Katherine experienced many setbacks when attempting to flee a dangerous home life, including the very real possibility of homelessness. After finding our Minnie Street Family Resource Center, Katherine was able to work with a family advocate to access resources for housing, employment, school programs, and other community services to stabilize her family. She is now living in permanent housing with her family, holding a job, and creating a stable home.
The Housing First model has allowed Human Options to find permanent housing for families like Katherine’s by offering solutions tailored to each family’s circumstances. By improving access to this continuum of care, we can help even more survivors to find stability and resiliency. “The case manager at Second Step held my hand through the entire process. I never felt judged. A year ago we were homeless and living in a shelter and now we have our own home. Because of Human Options, I NETWORKS am able to be a role model for my children. Thank you We are empowered by collaborative networks to improve the safety for giving me a chance to change my life.” –Katherine, and economic security of women in California experiencing domestic Survivor violence and the potential for igniting social change. Funding generously provided by:
ANNUAL REPORT 10 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 11 ANNUAL REPORT FALL LUNCHEON 2019
Best selling author of “Maid: Hard 1 Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive”, Stephanie Land, shared her experience as a domestic violence 3 survivor and single mother who learned to navigate through inflexible bureaucratic systems, unstable housing and basic needs scarcity, determined to give her child a better life. Held on October 11, 2019, at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, the event raised over $220,000 to sustain Human Options’ programs in Orange County. 2 4 HUMAN OPTIONS IN THE MEDIA Recognized as an expert in the field, we leaned into our mission of igniting social change in partnership with a range of media outlets lifting up our voice. The volume of media coverage illuminated the need to spread awareness about domestic violence. It also helped our prevention and education efforts to reach victims quarantined at home with their abusers.
5 6 7
1. Event Co-Chairs, Ashley Allyn and Katie Nunez and Board President, Diane Biagianti 2. David and Victoria Collins and Ygal and the Honorable Sheila Sonenshine 3. Ruthie Cota and Katie Jacobson 4. Daisy Tran and Robin Fiorello 5. Celina Doka, Mary 9 Gunnison, and Tina Trent 6. Karen Jaffe and Karen Green 7. Ressa Emadi and Jennifer Duran 8. Kelley McGregor, Abdo and Michele I. Khoury, Maricela 8 Rios-Faust, and Les Thomas 9. Whitney Gomez, Kellie Webb, and Kerri Sonenshine 10. Overview of the event 11. Scorro Vasquez, Key Note Speaker, Stephanie Land, and Samantha Dunn
10 11
ANNUAL REPORT 12 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 13 ANNUAL REPORT THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, LUMINARY $100,000+ committed citizens can change the world; indeed, Bank of America Charitable Foundation it’s the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead Pacific Life Foundation
AMBASSADOR $50,000–$99,999 LEADER $5,000–$9,999 The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation The Paul J. Schneider Separate Property Trust Anthem Foundation Mara and Keith Murray Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Ueberroth Family Foundation Arbonne Charitable Foundation MUFG Union Bank Foundation, N.A. Michele I. and Abdo Khoury The Women’s Foundation of California Robert and Ali Bartholomew Nordstrom Charitable Giving Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation O’Melveny & Myers LLP Diane Biagianti and Mike Rovere Carol and Finbarr O’Neill Family Gift Fund Katherine and Howard Bland Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund CHAMPION $25,000–$49,999 Crevier Family Foundation Orange County United Way - Women’s Philanthropy Fund The Allergan Foundation O.L. Halsell Foundation Celina Doka and Forrest Wylder Passco Anonymous Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women EXPOSURESkate The Sachs Trust Victoria and David Collins Family Foundation The PIMCO Foundation Joseph and Noelle Ferrentino The Saeman - Weisner Charitable Fund DevTo Support Foundation Barbara Roberts Fitness on Fire Richard and Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund Driven to Care Schoellerman Foundation The Fluor Foundation Terry Theologides and Deb Rodriguez Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Kerri and Danny Sonenshine The Frome Family Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation The Donald G. Goodwin Family Foundation, Inc. The Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation Fund David and Lisa Hummelberg Judy and Wes Whitmore Jaffe Family Foundation Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Wingstop Charities Kaiser Permanente Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear The Wohl Family Fund OC Community Resilience Fund Latham & Watkins LLP
REBUILDER $10,000–$24,999 SUSTAINER $2,500–$4,999 Tom and Bonnie Abate Kea Simon - Crut Helen F. Adams & Alan E. Adams Charitable Trust MAXIMUS Foundation Allen Family Fund M.R.B. Charitable Trust, Judy Yorke Anonymous Pat and Ed McFarland Ginger and Tony Allen Mad Engine Anonymous Minyard Morris LLP Janis and Scott Allen National Charity League, Inc. Newport Chapter Carolyn and William Beaver Susan D. Morrison Foundation Tracy and Steven Friedmann Olga Smirnova and Charles Collett Call & Jensen Katie and Fred Nunez Anonymous Richter Farms Trust City of Mission Viejo Parker-Hannifin Foundation Anonymous Peter and Diana Robertson Crowell & Moring LLP Schlatter Charitable Anonymous Scan Health Plan Maricela Rios-Faust and Gary Faust SoCal Festival, LLC The Dhont Family Foundation Schilling Law Group, PC Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sonendo, Inc George Hoag Family Foundation St. Joseph Health Community Partnership Fund Colby and Andrew Gray Temple Beth El-South Orange County Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP Les and Ellen Thomas Pam and David Harvey Deborah and Bart Thomsen Donna L. Hansen Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund Hayes Martin Associates, Inc. Socorro and Ernie Vasquez Terry and Sharon Hartshorn Uneek Clothing, Shelley Siroonian Heffernan Foundation Whittier Trust/Confidence Foundation The Healthcare Foundation for Orange County Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Anaheim Rochelle and Adam Karr Elaine Weinberg Hsu Hwa Chao Foundation Warne Family Charitable Foundation KPMG LLP Jill and Joe Williams In-N-Out Burger Foundation Robert Lothenbach Doug Jackson & Sandi Bernhagen Jackson Fannie Mae Karen and Scott Green
ANNUAL REPORT 14 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 15 ANNUAL REPORT PARTNER $1,000–$2,499 Shelley Adermatt Charitable Foundation The New York Community Trust Advanced Real Estate Peter and Kitty Fyfe James Talcott Fund, Mr. William Alpha Chi Omega - UCI George Gallian T. Haebler, Mrs. Wendy Haebler Anonymous Ellen Feldberg Gordon Fund Worrell, and Ms. Kieran Worrell Avant Family Trust Nancy Handel Thomas & Debra Nichols Jeanne and Greg Baird Trish and Bill Hendricksen OC Women2Women Anouchka and Tim Balog Marhnelle and Dave Hibbard Kathy O’Neill The Borchard Family Emily Horowitz Wendy and Dale Peterson Boeing Katie Frederick Jacobson PlusOne Kathleen Buchanan and David Jacobson Valerie and Jeff Roos CARMA LLC Johnson Family Charity Lead Ann Trust Brian Ruttencutter The Cashion Foundation Yvonne and Damien Jordan Katy and Jack Schoellerman Kathy Crifasi Joanne and Dennis Keith Ellen K. Shockro, Ph.D. & Jack Shaw CommerceWest Bank Nikole Kingston Dori Rodi-Shryock Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot Karen Klammer Jo Skibby - Nashim Sisterhood Melissa and James Leasure Stacey Smith Diem Dang Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Allyson and Coby Sonenshine Ebell Club of Laguna Beach Lynne and Doug McLeish Frank Spittle Kurt Eggert Melin Family Foundation Fund TSG Reporting, Inc./Larry Silfen William H. Eggers, Jr. Nikki and Joel Miliband Douglas Wang Reesa and Hirad Emadi Allison and Thomas Motherway Jean and Tim Weiss Emily Vogler and Daniel Flynn Roberta and Peter Muhleman Beatrice & Leon Friedman Newport Beach Marriot Hotel & Spa
LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS Helen F. Adams & Alan E. Scott Hughes Susan Shalit Adams Charitable Trust James Iverson Ellen Shockro, Ph.D. and Jack Shaw Ashbrook Family Trust Carolyne Johnson Kea Simon - Crut Catherine Bowers Dorothy Karson Jo Skibby Estate of Elizabeth Breneman Myriam Keyes Judy and Keith Swayne IGNITE CHANGE: Pauline Bukantz Michele I. and Abdo Khoury Libby Tobin Vivian Clecak and John Pricz Estate of Virginia Martin Gary Van Arnam Victoria Collins, Ph.D. Lorraine Remby and Tom Moebus Susan Vavak WHAT YOU CAN DO The Ethel C. Correll Trust Betty Mower Potalivo The Sachs Trust Sophie and Larry Cripe Margi and John Murray Verrill Family Trust Building resilience is about having connection and healthy relationships. In a time where we are simultaneously experiencing multiple Artyn and Max Gardner Nancy and Scott Nygren Jean and Tim Weiss Shirley and Glen Gellatly Charitable Trust Arlene Pavey Laverne Wheeler pandemics, including health and racial injustice, we continue to lean more intentionally into our work around resiliency to help Elizabeth Gregory Margaret Piacenti Anne E. Wright victims of relationship violence on their journey to safety and healing! Here are some tips on how to build resilience in yourself and Sandra Hall Marvin W. and Harriet C. Reimer H. Yolen others: Sharon and Terry Hartshorn Charitable Trust Carole Zavala David Hendryx Patricia Rose Candy and Ron Hess Katy and Jack Schoellerman It’s never too late to begin healing from either experienced trauma or toxic stress.
Self-care is not selfish. Taking steps toward your own healing journey helps provide a healthier future for your children. When we create a safe environment for ourselves, it has a profound impact on our children.
Building resilience is about making a connection and having healthy relationships. Anyone can be that person to help to create change!
If you or someone you know are in need of help, call Human Options 24/7 Emergency Hotline: (877) 854- 3594 or pass out the enclosed hotline card with all the local domestic violence shelters. Human Options is grateful for all financial contributions. Due to space limitations, we have listed those who have contributed gifts of $1,000 or more received between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our donor listing. For questions, please call 949‑737‑5242 Ext. 318.
ANNUAL REPORT 16 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 17 ANNUAL REPORT LOCAL, STATE & GOVERNMENT GRANTS FROM JULY 1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020 FINANCIAL Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) CDBG Irvine DASHBOARDFINANCIAL DASHBOARD FISCAL YEAR END CDBG Tustin CDBG Santa Ana JUNE 30, 2020 Families and Communities REVENUE SOURCE Together (FaCT) - Family Resource Centers Government Grants FaCT Community Health 59% $3,157,258 Enrichment Collaboration (CHEC FRC) Private Grants & Foundations FaCT Corbin FRC 23% $1,172,500 FaCT Costa Mesa FRC FaCT Minnie Street FRC Individual Gifts FaCT South Orange County $5,364,406 $715,609 13% FRC TOTAL REVENUE Benefit Events CalWORKs ResCare Workforce 4% $237,477 Services
Earned Revenue California Governor’s Office of $81,562 2% Emergency Services (CalOES) CalOES Domestic Violence Assistance Program (DVAP) CalOES Transitional Housing (XH) Program EXPENSE CATEGORY CalOES Domestic Violence Housing First Program (XD) Program Services CalOES Domestic Violence 81% $4,450,105 County Victim Services Grant General & Management Cost $5,485,425 $580,660 11% County of Orange TOTAL EXPENSES OC Community Resources Fundraising (Domestic Violence % $454,660 Shelter-Based Program) 8 OC Health Care Agency (Strong Families, Strong Children)
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Human Options is proud to earn Human Options is proud to earn Women (OVW) Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Charity Navigator’s coveted OVW Improving Criminal Transparency. The highest level of 4-star rating, the highest rating Justice Respones grant recognition offered by GuideStar, demonstrating our strong financial OVW Legal Assistance for showcasing our transparency and health and commitment to Victims grant results of our success. accountability and transparency.
ANNUAL REPORT 18 2019/20 humanoptions.org humanoptions.org 2019/20 19 ANNUAL REPORT 949.737.5242 P.O. Box 53745 | Irvine, CA 92619 | humanoptions.org
24‑HOUR HOTLINE: 877.854.3594