2012 Annual Report
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My name is Ms. Ward, and I really LOVE how Playtime runs their business. The volunteers work really hard with the I LOVE hummus! I’m children; I love the way they teach them new things, and going to eat hummus for the children love to come. Every week, the volunteers are breakfast, lunch and dinner very respectful and kind and I am very grateful to them for for the rest of my life!” coming and giving parents a break.” 11-year-old boy trying Tyrece Ward, mother of four hummus for the fi rst time at DC General (ages 2, 3, 5, 7) during Playtime’s snack The New Beginning staff, families, and children appreciate and enjoy the long-term relationship we have with the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project. Playtime reminds us that the work of ending homelessness starts with empowering children. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers at Playtime, our children have a place to express themselves, thrive, and grow, but most importantly smile and be children. Thank you for all of your love and support.” Kareem A. Davis, Program Director National Center for Children and Families New Beginning Temporary Family Shelter Teen Night makes us feel like family. They listen to what I have to say. I respect them and they respect me. I have everything off my chest [and] I can get away from all of what happen[ed].” Families Deserve Housing; Teen Program participant Children Deserve Play Homeless Children’s Playtime Project Annual Report 2012 THE CATALOGUE FOR PHILANTHROPY Greater Washington is pleased to recognize the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project as “One of the best small charities in the Washington Region” for 2011–2012 #92397 Designer: Kate Foley | Copy Editor: Lauren Walsh | Photo Credits: Jay Austin & Skyler Badenoch Homeless Children’s Playtime Project 1525 Newton Street NW • Washington, DC 20010 202.329.4481 • www.playtimeproject.org Follow us on and Where to Find Us Homeless Children’s Playtime Project Homeless Children’s Playtime Project 1525 Newton Street NW • Washington, DC 20010 202.329.4481 • www.playtimeproject.org 1525 Newton Street NW • Washington, DC 20010 202.329.4481 • www.playtimeproject.org CURRENT STAFF CURRENT VOLUNTEER SITE COORDINATORS Jamila Larson, LICSW DASH DC General Emergency Family Shelter Turning Point Center for Executive Director, Co-Founder Ward 7: Capitol Hill, Washington, DC Women & Children Lauren Waterhouse Ward 1: Columbia Heights, Washington, DC Lauren Anderson District Alliance for Safe Housing Operations and Financials Coordinator DC GENERAL SHELTER (DASH) Cornerstone Program Valley Place Family Carrie Beaudreau Anna Hurley Kathleen Fawcett Ward 5: Washington, DC Transitional Apartments Development Associate Genevieve Fugere Robin Ngo Ward 8: Anacostia, Washington, DC Julie Balin New Beginning Family Shelter Kelli Beyer Ward 1: Columbia Heights, Washington, DC Communications and Outreach Coordinator NEW BEGINNING Lauren Cranman Haley Adams Bradley Westley Program Manager TURNING POINT Andy Miller Teen Program & Field Trip Coordinator Dana Payes Lori Chesla Darin Bayley Sabrina Nettles Playtime Project Weekly Schedule for 13 Weekly Playtime Programs Laura Rothenberg CURRENT SITE MANAGER FELLOWS Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays (Part-time staff who manage our weekly Play programs) VALLEY PLACE Turning Point DC General Playtime DASH DASH Stephanie Marrone Dominique Agypt Valley Place DCG Teen Program DCG Teen Program DC General Playtime DASH Shelter and Valley Place Transitional Living Program DCG Tween Program New Beginning DCG Teen Program DCG Tween Program Lexie Herman SPECIAL THANKS Turning Point Transitional Living Program Turning Point Special thanks to the amazing Lana Tilley, Danielle Rothman DC General Emergency Shelter Program and Operations Manager, who faithfully Board of Directors served Playtime from 2007–2013 and has since Heather Wade moved to California for graduate school. Bob Edwards Kirsten Lodal Jan Piercy New Beginning Shelter and DC General Tween Program Host, “The Bob Edwards Show” CEO and Co-Founder Executive Vice President on Sirius XM Satellite Radio LIFT ShoreBank Corporation Thanks also to Eddie Moat, Site Manager for DASH and Valley Place in 2012. David Graling, CPA, MBA Dr. Geoffrey Mount Varner Renee’ Stikes President & Partner Chief and Interim Chairman Vice President of Philanthropy Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman Howard University Hospital KaBOOM! Jamila Larson, LICSW Patty Mullahy-Fugere, Esq. Executive Director, Co-Founder Executive Director HCPP Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Homeless Children’s Playtime Project Annual Report 2012 Dear Friend of Children, It started as a simple discovery ten years ago. Children living in family homeless shelters in our nation’s capital do not have the opportunity to play. This simple, yet complex rite of childhood was being denied to thousands of children in the most powerful city on earth simply because of their family’s housing status. A few of my friends and I set up some playrooms in shelters, fi lled them with toys, books, and dedicated volunteers to protect their right to play. Over the last decade, something amazing happened. Homelessness among families exploded. And out of nowhere, thousands of volunteers and donors emerged to do something about it. These are people who believe that children learn and heal from trauma best through play and they deserve this opportunity right now. These powerful messengers have shared their time, talents and treasure with the Playtime Project and this Annual Report is dedicated to their commitment to make this vision a reality. With gratitude, Jamila Larson, LICSW Executive Director, Co-founder Homeless Children’s Playtime Project Annual Report 1 Our Mission is to nurture healthy child development and reduce the effects of trauma among children living in temporary housing programs in Washington DC. We believe that play is a human right that all children deserve, regardless of housing status. We seek to create a city that provides every opportunity for children in homeless families to succeed by ensuring consistent opportunities to play and learn, offering support services for families, and advocating for affordable housing and safe shelter. We set up playrooms where our trained and screened volunteers provide weekly activities, healthy snacks, and opportunities to play and learn for hundreds of children in fi ve emergency shelters and transitional housing programs in the District of Columbia. Playtime Project is an essential partner to DASH, providing a safe place for resident children to feel empowered, nurtured, and secure. The relationships developed with volunteers allows the kids to just be kids, not merely children fl eeing domestic violence. As the Children’s Program director, I highly value Playtime Project’s excellent volunteer training, developmentally appropriate activities, and strong commitment to the residents of DASH. Emma Kupferman, LICSW Children’s Program Director District Alliance for Safe Housing 2 Homeless Children’s Playtime Project Playtime Project Makes an Impact in 2012 Children and teens Playtime families Volunteers made a 767 were served 488 participated 429 commitment to Playtime Parents and teens referred to outside programs and services to support their goals such as housing, employment, 85 child care, health care, developmental assessments, clothing, computers, adult education, transportation, school uniforms, summer camps, food and furniture ACCORDING TO ACCORDING TO PLAYTIME PARENTS TEEN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS 100% of children are happy in Playtime 100% of teens are happy in the Teen & Tutoring Night programs 98% feel safe and secure in Playtime 92% of teens are learning new skills that help in school and life 98% learn new skills in Playtime that help in school and life 100% say activities and fi eld trips are fun and engaging 100% of parents report feeling happier, calmer, and less stressed 100% say volunteers accept, respect and support them as a result of the 2–4 hour break Playtime provides each week Revenue and Financials 2012 Revenue: 2012 Expenses: $15,000 in inkind $329,363 $286,147 donations distributed Budget Breakdown Donation Sources Fundraising 1% Combined Federal Campaign In-Kind 9% 5% Management 6% Help the Homeless 10% & Operations Walkathon Program Foundations/ 81% 55% 33% Individuals Costs Corporations Annual Report 3 What Happens in Playtime? Children are given choices to select the activities they are interested in, such as: • Arts and crafts projects led by our Art Coordinators like painting and sculpture • Active play, like sports, group games, and playground visits • Reading and writing projects, like making books and writing poems • Science experiments, like creating volcanoes • Yoga and other new experiences • Board games and scavenger hunts • Dramatic, imaginative play (play kitchen, play school, trains and trucks, etc.) • Educational activities (counting, colors, vocabulary-building, measurement math, play money math, plant and animal care, and geography) • Building with blocks to inspire engineering, math, and special intelligence • Team building activities to create community and learn social skills • Tutoring and homework help • An opportunity to engage in conversations with caring volunteers • Playground-in-a-Box to learn creative play with huge, blue blocks of various shapes • Dress up, puppets, and doll house play • Musical instruments, performers, and playroom dance parties Curriculum Activities Children are invited to participate in a variety of special curriculum activities designed around monthly themes (e.g.