2018 ANNUAL REPORT Education Health and Wellness Leadership Mission To empower children and their families to lead healthy and productive lives by promoting success in education, nurturing wellness in mind and body, and developing skills in tomorrow’s global leaders. Vision To have a safe, healthy, and thriving community for children and families. Focus Education, health, and wellness to prevent substance abuse in our children and youth. Guiding Principles • Children are our greatest asset. • Lifelong health and wellness begin with good decisions. • Education is the key to unlocking the future. • Parents are children’s strongest advocates. • Strong families are the cornerstone of thriving communities. Quick Facts 2018 19 Counties Served 115 Anderson Schools Served Bell Bosque Cherokee Coryell Falls Freestone Hamilton 48,000 Henderson Hill Individuals Impacted Kaufman Lampasas Limestone McLennan Milam 69 Mills Navarro Community Partners Rains Van Zandt 41 Full-time Staff 3 27 Years of Service Office Locations Corsicana Killeen Waco Leadership 2018 Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Cox, Navarro County Sheriff’s Department, Retired Vice Chairman Rev. Meredith Bell, Director of UCF Wesley Foundation at Navarro College Secretary Kay Lynn Harris, Educator, Retired Treasurer Clifford Brown III, President, Kilmarnock Oil Company, Inc. Dr. Shellie Buckley, Chair of Communications, Navarro College Brenna Conklin, Legal Assistant, Dawson & Sodd Kit Herrington, Trust Officer, Citizens National Bank Russell Hudson, Bookkeeper, Russell P. Hudson Bookkeeping and Tax Service Neal Green, Jr., Attorney at Law, Law Office of Neal Green, Jr. Ericka Kincaid, Specialist, Child Protective Services (CPS) Heather King, Scholarship Coordinator, Clifford Foundation Anna Paul, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Navarro Regional Hospital Hayden Thomas, Sales Consultant, Stewart Motor Company McLennan County Advisory Council Erica Ancira, Visiting Lecturer, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University Robert Callahan, Attorney at Law, Callahan & King Stephanie Hines, Community Partnership Specialist, WISD Eric Jeter, Senior Manager, Cenikor Tara Kimbell, Marketing Account Manager III, Amerigroup Debbie Luce, Community Volunteer Craig Nash, Child Hunger Outreach Specialist, Texas Hunger Initiative Pete Peterson, Justice of the Peace, McLennan County, Precinct 1 Cathy Pleitz, Community Volunteer Bob Anne Senter, Community Volunteer Patrick Swanton, Sergeant/Public Information Officer, City of Waco Police Department Darlene Terry, Community Volunteer Josh Tetens, Attorney at Law, Simer & Tetens Ashley Thornton, Director, Continuous Improvement, Baylor University Jan Wengler, Community Volunteer Patrice Wills, Licensed Professional Counselor, Patrice Wills LPC Executive Staff Lynda Sloan, Chief Executive Officer Luan Arnett, Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Allen, Director of Program Advancement John Goodnight, Deputy Director of Programs Marian DeLeon-Smith, Region 7 Program Director Valorie Horn, Regions 3 and 4 Program Director Financials 2018 Our auditor has issued an unqualified opinion in the audit report for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2018. In addition, our internal controls were reviewed and no concerns were noted. Total Revenue $3,381,970 4% Foundations and Trusts 93% Government Grants 2% In-Kind Contributions 1% Other Total Expenses $3,504,891 85% Program Expenses 15% Supporting Expenses Changing the Lives of Students “VOICE has had a big impact on my life,” reflects Waco High senior Halee Wise. “Participating in VOICE programs helped me become the person I am today.” Several years ago, Halee attended VOICE’s Summer Free- dom School, where students increase their love of education while exploring their cultural heritage. “Freedom School changed my outlook because I learned more about myself and my identity. I especially liked the books we read because they were about people I could relate to.” Because of the value she found in the program, she wanted to work there when she became too old to attend. “I completed VOICE’s teen leadership program, Pathways To Success, which made me eligible to apply for a position at Freedom School. After going through a very competitive interview process, I worked there for two summers. I was so glad I could make a difference in the students’ lives by sharing the things I learned when I attended.” VOICE Prevention Specialist R.J. Napier worked with Halee at Summer Freedom School and Pathways To Success. “She is an example of how we build ongoing relationships with students and their families. It was a great experience to see her change over the years from a quiet child to an outgoing, confident high-schooler with strong leadership skills.” Halee credits Pathways To Success with helping her become a leader. “In addition to giving me the opportunity to work for VOICE and a $500 college scholarship, Pathways taught me skills that I have used in many areas, including while serving as senior class president, Waco Youth Council member, and HOT Fair and Rodeo Sweetheart.” The requirements to complete Pathways to Success are very rigorous and include being tobacco, alcohol, and drug-free, maintaining a B average in school, and completing forty-six hours of volunteer work. Pathways participants must also complete CAP (College Achievement Program). “I love CAP!” Halee declares. “My CAP advisor, Mrs. Macias, encouraged me to start plan- ning for college early and helped keep me on track. She also connected me to financial aid resources. With this help, I will be attending Prairie View A&M in the fall. I plan on majoring in science and minoring in Spanish, with the goal of attending medical school.” “Halee has worked hard to overcome obstacles in her life, and I have no doubt she will reach her goals,” states Lisa Saxenian, Waco High Dean. “I am so thankful for VOICE programs that help students like Halee achieve their goals.” Halee, whose family circumstances led her to living most of her life living with grandpar- ents, acknowledges accomplishing her goals is not always easy. “I work very hard, and I am glad that VOICE is here to assist me on my journey to a successful future!” Education Promoting Success in Education Summer Breakout Students: 129 First through fifth grade students maintain mental acuity and learn healthy behaviors in this eight-week summer program held in low-income neighborhoods, including housing authorities. Nationally recognized MindUP™ curriculum is used to teach children how the brain influences learning and behavior. The students and their families also attend special events throughout the year. Summer Freedom School Students: 144 Parents: 104 Students in kindergarten through eighth grade are taught the value of education while exploring their cultural heritage in this multi-week summer program held on school campuses. Participants’ parents are required to volunteer at the program and attend parent training sessions where they learn the skills needed to be an active part of their children’s lives. NEW LIFE Program Opens to Participants January 2019 Mothers and families who are expecting a baby or have a child age 0-3 develop skills they need to ensure the successful growth and development of their children. NEW LIFE advisors meet with parents in individual and group settings during the year-long program. Participants are required to complete the evidence-based The Incredible Years® curriculum and the Shaken Baby Syndrome Course. Education Promoting Success in Education CAP (College Achievement Program) Students Enrolled: 609 CAP is a free program in Navarro and McLennan counties that encourages students to continue their education after high school. CAP advisors meet individually with high school students and their parents to help them access resources that aid in planning for, applying to, and paying for college. They also conduct informational presentations at schools and community sites. Seniors that complete the required tasks are entered into a $2,500 college scholarship drawing; two scholarships are given in each county. Navarro County students who complete the program are also qualified to receive an application to the J. Tom Eady Scholarship and the Clifford Foundation Scholarships. Haley Hayes is a Blooming Grove High graduate with Sabastian Minniear is a graduate of Blooming Grove plans to attend Hill College–Cleburne Campus. High who attends Texas Tech. “ I am so thrilled that I was selected to receive the scholarship. It is “ It was great participating in CAP. The main things I liked about it going to make a big difference in my future! Having been in the were that the program encourages you to get started early and foster care system, I wasn’t sure how to get ready for college so then helps keep you on track. Because of that, I was able to begin I was really glad that CAP helped me make plans for the future. taking steps early to fulfill my goal of going to Tech and becoming I enjoyed being a part of the program because Ms. Aldama was an electrical engineer. A lot of my classmates also participated in very understanding of my situation and helped me a lot.” CAP and really liked the help they got.” Education Promoting Success in Education Anna-Maria Coronado is a graduate of University Aaron Esparza-Luevanos is a graduate of University High School and attends McLennan Community High School and attends McLennan Community College. College. “ I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a nurse, but wasn’t “ CAP really made a difference in my life because it helped me sure about the best steps to take. There is a lot to involved realize what I had to do to make my future what I want it when it comes to going to college, like how to pay, taking to be. I have always had big dreams, but wasn’t sure what I the ACT or SAT, where to go. Being part of a program that would need to do to make them come true. My circumstances provided guidance and help when I encountered difficulties are not like other students and so I was very glad that my in all of those areas gave me the confidence that I could be CAP advisor, Ms.