A N N U A L R E P O R T 2020 Uniting people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home. 2020 was a very difficult year for our nation that deeply affected our community. We witnessed tremendous loss of lives, intolerable racial injustices, and economical turmoil. It was heartbreaking to witness and be part of. However, Friendship House stayed true to mission and was able to find a way to serve our neighbors when they needed us most. We witnessed new levels of faith and courage as we navigated through these challenges. I am so touched by what we accomplished because of your support. From increased food giveaways from our Empowerment Centers, to laptops provided to residents for their virtual meetings, to forming a new partnership with the New Castle County in the opening of the Hope Center, we found a way to be a community to thousands of people who were houseless and homeless - all because you were there with us along the way. 2020 caused Friendship House to step in new directions, and we did it with innovation and creativity. This is continuing in 2021. We are focusing our efforts on injustices as we work with our Board of Directors on weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into the framework of everything we do. We are advocating through new partnerships and collaborations to ensure every person has a place they can call home with respect, grace, and compassion. And, we are prioritizing the wellbeing of our staff through professional workshops and improved benefits. These goals are not just goals - they are part of our mission. Our annual report shares our accomplishments for 2020. These achievements are because of you - our loving, supportive community. Thank you for being part of our story. Your friend, Kim Eppehimer Executive Director ANNUAL REPORT 2020 01 In 2020, the acronym "CDC" became a part of our lexicon like we never thought it would. When I began to reflect on how the Friendship House staff leaned into serving the community during the time of crisis, that acronym took new shape. It now spells Courage, Determination, and Commitment. Courage to remain a loving resource while putting themselves and their families at risk. Determination to find new ways to protect those without safety nets, whether it was securing hotel rooms, or lobbying for portable restrooms when facilities began to close. And commitment that never waivered despite the extraordinary obstacles the pandemic presented. I want to thank the devoted Friendship House staff for their steadfast service to the community during these unprecedented times. This organization is magnificently blessed with the kindest, most courageous, determined, and committed staff, along with a loving community of volunteers. On behalf of the Board, with all of our hearts, we thank you. Brenda Dean Board President ANNUAL REPORT 2020 02 COVID-19 IMPACT Friendship House has been hard at work ensuring safe delivery of services during this pandemic. We have made certain our guests experiencing street-level homelessness, who had lifelines shut down when the state went on lockdown back in March, had access to the most urgent things like bathrooms, hand- washing stations, food, and water. In the spring of 2020, we were able to provide nearly 100 people with hotel stays, serve over 20,000 meals, and countless cups of coffee! We have seen significant increases in financial assistance requests. With support from businesses and foundations, we provided more than 1,000 people directly affected by COVID-19 with financial assistance to prevent homelessness and lack of utilities. We have continued to provide clothing, job training, and transitional housing throughout this pandemic, too. Although never easy, FH continued to find a way to connect people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home. "Because of our "Friendship House loving and never shut down." supportive - Tim Keeler, community, we never Empowerment Centers missed a payroll." 20,000 Manager - Roxane Blake, Office MEALS DISTRIBUTED Manager I N N E W C A S T L E C O U N T Y F R O M M A R C H 1 5 - J U L Y 1 5 EMERGENCY PORTA POTTIES 88 PEOPLE P L A C E D A C R O S S P L A C E D I N H O T E L S N E W C A S T L E C O U N T Y ANNUAL REPORT 2020 03 THE FIGURES Businesses & Organizations INCOME: $1,843,097 9.8% $180,490 Foundation Grants 22.9% 9.79% $422,481 22.92% Faith Commun2i2ti.e2s% 22.16% Oth er $408,495 0.87% $01.96,%042 3.38% Program Inco me 40.87% $632.4,2%83 Individual Donations $753,306 40.9% USE OF FUNDS: $1,683,390 Transitional Housing $569,202 34% Empowerment Centers $459,067 27% Financial Assistance $289,204 17% Admin/Fundraising $192,754 12% Clothing Bank $156,297 9% Hope Center $16,866 1% ANNUAL REPORT 2020 04 CLOTHING BANK The Clothing Bank accepts and redistributes new or gently-used clothing to individuals across New Castle County free of cost. We also provide a job training program, which employs women looking to get back into the workforce. The Creating Excellent Outcomes (CEO) Job Training Program is a core part of the Clothing Bank. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was still able to see growth in 2020. Program participants include women who are referred by the Department of Corrections’ Work-Release Program and our Transitional Housing program. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Clothing Bank had to operate on a limited staff as a result of the lockdown of the correctional system. In 2020, the Clothing Bank employed 12 job trainees and had 3 participants successfully graduate from the program. The Job Training Program was also able to see success from graduates during follow-up interviews. Several of these women reported having full or part-time employment as well as stable housing. One of the program graduates was excited to notify us of her new employment at Second Chances Farms. We are extremely proud of the Job Training Program graduates from 2020! One of the major goals of the Job Training Program is to help participants develop plans for success upon completion of the program. This includes developing strategies to deal with potential roadblocks such as housing, transportation, substance abuse, medical care, and permanent employment. Participants are provided one-on-one guidance to achieve their goals including identifying marketable traits and skills, building resumes, strengthening computer skills, and submitting applications for employment and housing. In 2020 there was an expansion of workshops to better assist participants such as typing skills, voter education, filing tax returns, and information about the Federal Bonding Program. We are grateful for another successful year despite challenges and are looking forward to expanding the program even more in years to come! ANNUAL REPORT 2020 05 CLOTHING BANK In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clothing Bank was closed from late March until June 1, 2020 for the safety of our staff and volunteers. We did not accept clothing donations and only filled emergency clothing orders. "Not only did Timeeka train me as an employee, but she also helped me to learn to love myself and know my worth." - Sharon, Senior Warehouse Associate 12 JOB TRAINEES E M P L O Y E D I N 2 0 2 0 3,972 PEOPLE SERVED A C R O S S N E W C A S T L E C O U N T Y 108 REFERRING AGENCIES I N N E W N E A R L Y C A S T L E C O U N T Y 150,000 LBS O F C L O T H E S P R O C E S S E D ANNUAL REPORT 2020 06 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING 1,990 RESIDENTS S E R V E D T O D A T E 11 PROGRAM GRADUATES i n 2 0 2 0 3 M e n a n d 8 W o m e n "I knew this was a place that gave me the best chance to transition successfully back into society" 75 - Dmitri, Resident RESIDENTS I N 2 0 2 0 34 RESIDENTS S T I L L I N P R O G R A M ANNUAL REPORT 2020 07 TRANSITIONAL HOUSING The Transitional Housing Program assists displaced adults who demonstrate a commitment to addressing their life issues. We continue to fill the existing gap by combining subsidized housing with a holistic programming approach. "January 4, 2020, was the last day I used. January 5, 2020, is the day I finally accepted help. I checked myself into a short-term rehab facility in New Jersey. I, Sharon D’Antonio, am proud to announce that I am 15 months clean as of April 5, 2021! Friendship House got me thriving instead of surviving! I’m enjoying every minute of it. Sometimes I wonder where I would be without the support of my children and Friendship House and then I realize I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here to share my story. My children have forgiven me and we have a great relationship. I just recently started thanking myself because without my mistakes, addiction, and struggles, I wouldn’t have met the wonderful people in my life today." Sharon (Resident & Senior - Sharon, Resident Warehouse Associate) "I’ve made this embarrassing walk before, to their front door, usually asking for food, clothes, a place to stay, or instant forgiveness.