2015-2016 Annual Report Established by Wilmington Women in Business

The Why: Understanding How Miracles Happen “Without my Fresh Start Once again, with your assistance, we have helped to unlock doors, scholarship I would not have and provide opportunities for many remarkable and deserving been able to attend school. I Delaware women who have discovered their own greatness. We are hope to someday be a mentor honored to have been part of our scholars’ journeys. for another scholar and help them as much as my mentor How does that happen, year after year, that generous people like you has helped me.” step up to influence and support these Fresh Start scholars? It’s because stepping in answers their “Why.” In his book, “Start With Deanna Nardi, 2016 Graduate Why,” Simon Sinek explains that our “why” is what inspires us to seek extraordinary results in our lives. Fresh Start sponsors and donors: Their organizations “why” is giving back to their communities, improving neighborhoods, and The Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation: empowering their employees to make a difference. • Provides one-on-one mentoring to its scholars Fresh Start board members and volunteers: Their “why” is often to • Has awarded more than $740,000 in scholarships to return the gifts they received when they, themselves needed help. 174 Delaware women They know that they can make a difference in the lives of our scholars. For me, the “why” is simple: The more we give, the more we receive. • Directs 97 cents of every dollar to the scholarship Just ask our scholars who will frequently say were it not for my Fresh program Start scholarship I would not have received my college degree. • Has no paid staff—all are volunteers At Fresh Start, miracles happen every day. • Has achieved a 72% graduation rate Thank you for using your “why” to help make our scholars’ dreams come true. • Scholars have attained a current average GPA of 3.55

Rita S. Wilkins, President Improving the lives of women through education www.freshstartscholarship.org 2015-2016 Fresh Start Scholars 2016 Fresh Scholarships totaling over $90,000 were awarded to Start 36 very deserving Delaware women. This number Graduates represented 18 returning Kada Hill scholars and 18 new scholars. Wilmington University – Bachelor of They attended 7 different Science - Organizational Management colleges and universities in Delaware representing over 15 different majors in the fields of education, healthcare, social services and business. Geographically, 61% were from New Castle County but all three DE counties are represented. Shanice Allen Ralandré Lacy Of the 36 scholars, 25 are Wilmington University – Bachelor Wilmington University – Bachelor of Science – Elementary Education of Science – Elementary Education mothers who are currently with a Certificate in Child Advocacy raising a total of 53 dependent children.

The scholars were recognized at the WWB 35th Anniversary Celebration at the Hotel DuPont on September 23, 2015.

Name Hometown College Major Michala A. Millsboro Wilmington University Nursing Shanice A. New Castle Wilmington University Elementary Education Amanda B. Smyrna Wilmington University Behavioral Science Lori Brown Meaghan McHugh Angela B. Newark Wilmington University Accounting /Human Resources Delaware Technical Community Wilmington University – Bachelor College – Associate in Applied of Science – Elementary Education Kristine B. Newark Wilmington University Behavioral Science Science – Drug Alcohol Counseling Lori B. Lincoln Delaware Technical Human Services Community College Tiffany C. Wilmington Wilmington University Behavioral Science Patti C. Middletown Wilmington University Elementary Education Brigette E. Wilmington Delaware Technical Radiology Tech - Allied Health Community College Monet E. Middletown Wilmington University Legal Studies Vickie F. Dover Delaware State University Social Work Danielle F. New Castle Delaware Technical Dental Hygiene Community College Elizabeth G. Milton Wilmington University Organization Dynamics Angela Creppon Deanna Nardi Wilmington University – Bachelor of Goldey Beacom College – Taylor G. Rehoboth Beach Wesley College English Literature Science – Behavioral Science and Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice Katrina G. New Castle Springfield College Human Services with a Certificate in Child Advocacy Stella H. Wilmington Delaware Technical Human Services Community College Kada H. Newark Wilmington University Organizational Management Shanae I. Wilmington Delaware Technical Human Services Community College April J. Felton Wilmington University Behavioral Science Michelle J. Newark Goldey Beacom College Psychology Jane L. Newark Wilmington University Nursing Donna L. Bear Delaware Technical Nursing Community College Brigette Esposito Isrelis Navarro Heidi M. Georgetown Wilmington University Mathematics Education Delaware Technical Community Delaware Technical Community Leslie M. Newark Delaware Technical Diagnostic Sonography College – Associate in Applied College – Associate in Applied Community College Science - Radiologic Technology Science – Nursing Meaghan M. Wilmington Wilmington University Elementary Education Stephanie M. Wilmington Delaware Technical Accounting Community College 2015-2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Deanna N. Newark Goldey Beacom College Criminal Justice PRESIDENT ASSISTANT ADVISORY BOARD Isrelis N. Laurel Delaware Technical Nursing Rita S. Wilkins TREASURER Fredn Dawso Community College Evelyn Joyner Sharon Hake Lynette O. Wilmington Wilmington University Education Studies VP SCHOLARSHIP Maria Hess Andrea P. Dover Delaware Technical Paralegal Studies PROGRAM DIRECTORS Jan Jessup Community College Barbara Buckley Pauline Brittingham Janis Julian Dana Dobson Gregory Lavelle Nancy S. Felton Delaware Technical Early Childhood Development VP DEVELOPMENT Lynn Faulkner Grace Liu Community College Sandy Scheibe Sarah Kenney Claire McElwee Marcie S. Dover Delaware Technical Business Jeanne Griffith Leslie Bonnie Meszaros Community College VP COMMUNICATIONS Judy Lewis Janice Seitz Tikima S. Dover Wilmington University Behavioral Science Ann DiStefano Mary Maloney Claibourne Smith Amber S. Newark Delaware Technical Nursing Ex-Officio Jack Varsalona Community College SECRETARY Aprile Parella Peggy Vavalla Sherry Mouser Jaye Pedante Camelia V. New Castle Wilmington University Business Management Bonita Penn DIRECTORS EMERITAE Michelle W. Blades Wilmington University Education/ Birth - 2nd TREASURER Kristen Petro Slade Joyce Koria Hayes Jenny Watson Kelli Stranahan Judith Powell Beverly Stewart 2016 Survey Results from Graduates Confirm Life Improvement

Barbara Buckley, VP, Scholarship Program Survey Results: 2015-2016 Mentors Surveys are sent annually to recent graduates to collect qualitative and Fresh Start Scholarship Mentor Program quantitative data to compare and contrast their experiences “before and after By Jaye Pedante, Chair graduation”.

The Fresh Start Scholarship Mentor Program has become an Highlights from 2014 and 2015 graduates include: invaluable resource for our many scholars who have • 80% of graduates report an increase in self confidence as the result of having successfully reached their goal of graduation and beyond. A earned a degree Fresh Start Mentor is someone who is willing to give some • 70% expressed an interest in pursuing further education time to act as a personal coach to a woman as she reenters • 80% say their networkin g skills have increased academia, usually juggling the demands of job and family • 80% report professional or career-level employment while attending classes and completing coursework. • 70% report an increase in income. Our scholars overwhelmingly voice appreciation for the Survey Comments: opportunity of having a mentor: “My mentor is always in contact with me with ways to help me grow academically, When asked to rate their overall experience with The Fresh Start Scholarship personally, and professionally. She has made a great impact Foundation, the graduates responded with an average rating of 4.78 out of 5 in my life.” (Excellent). Highlights from our 2014-15 survey. To view the full survey please visit our website: www.freshstartscholarsh ip.org • “I am so grateful to have found such a great organization that helps women grow. Fresh Start has made a huge impact on my life, not only by reducing my financial worries and allowing me to focus on my studies, while supporting me personally.” • “Without Fresh Start, I would not be in school. I am eternally grateful for this program and the women involved. Thank you all for everything you have Introducing done to help me work toward achieving my goals.” • “I don’t know what I would have done without my mentor. She helped me our new look! through some very difficult times.” To celebrate the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation’s 20th anniversary, Symbiosys, Inc. refreshed our brand and ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS update d our website. Our annual fundraising event raised almost $50,000 to fund Fresh Start “Symbiosys presented us with innovative concepts that Scholarship for the 2016-2017 academic year. Called, “It’s Showtime,” captured the essence of Fresh Start, and then flawlessly the evening gala was held November 5 at The Waterfall in Claymont, executed our new branding and website”. DE. More than 350 guests enjoyed a raffle, silent auction, delicious food Ann DiStefano, VP Communications and entertainment. We are deeply grateful to everyone who volunteered, attended or donate d.

Left to right: Singer: Brandi Chavis Tiana and Judy Lewis

Annual Cookout Scholars, board members, Left to right: family and friends gathered Rita Wilkins for a summer cookout. We President Fresh Start congratulated our graduates, Scholarship Foundation ate delicious food and Fred Dawson played some games that Advisory Board Member proved to be harder than Maria Hess they looked! Advisory Board Member Photos by Lindy Powers 2015-2016 Annual Campaign Donors Less than 3% Administrative Expenses

CHAMPION Winfred and Paula Massie $2,500 and up Patricia McGee 97% Jan Seitz Bonnie Meszaros 2015-2016 Scholarship Sherry and John Mouser Financial Statement Program BENEFACTOR Mary and Richard Nenno $1,000-2,499 Justina Pedante INCOME Fred Dawson Bonita Penn Great Dames Brenda and Michael Po mianoski Annual Campaign, net $ 21,403 Janis Julian Judy Powell Signature Event, net $ 48,977 Mary and Richard Maloney Suzanne and Don Proud Grants $ 28,500 (In Memory of Hua Davis) Marion Quirk In-Kind Income $ 19,320 Diane Richardson Total Income $118,200 PATRON Linda and Michael Ritchford $500-999 Eric Sallee EXPENSES Barbara and Bill Buckley Don and Andrew Shackelford Scholarship Program $ 92,732 Claire McElwee Jean and Frank Sobonya Administrative Expenses (see Note 1) $ 3,653 Sandy Scheibe Kelli Stranahan Total Expenses $ 96,385 Beverly Stewart Dr. Jack Varsalona Jane Taylor Jennifer Watson Net Operating Income $ 21,815 Rita Wilkins Margery Windolph The County Women’s Journal ASSETS FRIEND Cash $115,130 BOOSTER up to $99 Prepaid Expenses $500 $250-499 Mary Akhimien $115,630 Anna Lee Bachtell Kathleen and Robert Andrzejewski Nancy and Jay Blumberg Sheila Boyer Endowment Fund Balance (see Note 2) $225,507 Lynn Faulkner Pauline Brittingham Phyllis Feibus Mary Cannon Total Net Assets $341,137 Shakti Harris Carolyn and William Doyle Claudia Hughes Brigette Esposito NOTES Jan Jessup Anthony Glomski 1. Fresh Start’s board of directors set a goal years ago to keep administrat ive expenses at or below 3% of income. The table below shows that we achieved this goal in 2015-2016. Claire Morse Tina and Ralph Goldrick 2015-2016 Operating Income $118,200 Nan cy Rose Meliss a Gonville Administrative Expenses $ 3,653 Marilyn Hyte Percentage 3% SUPPORTER Wendi Jacobs $100-249 Jeanne Griffith Leslie 2. In 2009, the board of directors of Fresh Start set up an endowment fund using GIFT (Global Investment Foundation for Tomorrow) model to assure the sustainability of our Jennifer Adach Barbara Longyear program well into the future. A portion of the earnings can be withdrawn in 2024. Ann Bawa Terri Lamborn Manning Cheryl Carncross Scott Mason Peggy and Richard Carter Gretchen and Alfred Mayne HOW YOU CAN HELP J. Clampitt Elizabeth McDonough Catherine Cloutier Mary Ann Michaelewiz Scholarships are funded by corporate and individual contributions to the Ann DiStefano Nanci and Timothy Mihalski scholarship program, fundraising events, grants and bequests to our scholarship Dana Dobson Connie Parvis endowment fund with the Delaware Community Foundation. You can help by Moira Donoghue Jane and Richard Pell sharing information about this scholarship program with others, encouraging candidates to apply, attending fundraising events and making contributions to the Dr. Laverne Harmon Kristen Petro scholarship fund. Sheila Hawkins Frances Quayle Joyce Hayes Mamatha Ratnam Checks should be made payable to the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc., Linda Heckert Jean and Paul Stofa and sent to: Ruth and Gregory Lavelle Karen Weiner Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Judy Lewis Linda Whitehead Attention: Treasurer Marty Mand Helen Zumsteg P.O. Box 7784 Wilmington, DE 19803 GRANTS For more information, call 302-397-3440, or visit www.freshstartscholarship.org Thanks to the following whose grants will be used to help fund the Class of 2016-2017. MISSION STATEMENT The Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, is the charitable Chichester DuPont Foundation $10,000 arm of Wilmington Women in Business, Inc. Its mission is to provide incentive to adult Christiana Rotary Club Foundation $ 500 women who face (or have faced) personal and economic challenges and are seeking to improve opportunities for themselves and their families through education. We H. L. & D. C. Eliason Fund $10,000 award annual scholarships based on need and provide mentoring support through Hulsking Foundation $ 3,000 WWB members. Candidates must be enrolled in a two- or four-year degree Milton and Hattie Kutz Foundation $ 5,000 undergraduate program at an accredited Delaware college or university.