Career and Recovery Resources,Inc. Annual Report 2011 Overcoming Barriers and Investing in Human Potential Career and Recovery Resources,Inc. is a nonprofit, multi-service United Way of GreaterHouston agency establishedin Houston,Texas in 1945,by B'nai B'rith as the JewishVocational GuidanceServices. Orn mission is to-he$ peopleidentift and overcomebari€rs to emplo).ment.Our vision is to be the premieragency providing servicesfor peoplewith barriers.The agencyempowers job seekerswith job readinesstraining, careerguidance, job placementassistance, jobietention cormseling, ard emplo)menlrelaied supportiveservices. Enrichment classes include GEDexam preparatioq computerclasses, and both adult basic educationand computerclasses in America Sign Languagefor personswho are deai or hiaring-impaired. Teens and older youth are servedwith careerexploration workshops.We also provide adult outpatientsubstance abuse treatment and aftercare,and HIV/STD testing and risk reduction cormseling.Anti-drug presentationsare provided to children in a fim format that they can understand. Our specializedprograms address issues ofjob seekerswith significant or multiple barriersto employment.They include but are not limited to personswho are unskilled, disabled,homeless, deaf or hearing-impaired,ei-oiTenders, ol,rler workers, p_ersons challengedby a disability or chronic illness, and individuals recoveringfiom substanceuse disorder.Many of our clients are economically disadvantagedand need intensive ernploymentservicei with casemanagement to overcometlese obstacles.We also assistprofessionals who are highly skilled or possesscollege degrees,but n"i"d guid-"" to enter their chosenfields, changecareers, or transferskills to anothersource ofemployment due tJt yoms. Capital Campaign Co-Chair Vern Swisher thanks Dr. Larry Tom Ramsey and Vice Mayor Faulkner for the lead Capital Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez. Compaign gtft "from Hous ton Endowment. The Campaignfor Careerand RecoveryResoarces An Investmentin Human Potential We take this opportunity to thank all of our Capital Campaigndonors (listed on page 8) for their generoussupport and leadershipin giving. Their contributionsenable our agencyto initiate facility impr&ements and expinsion of servicesthat assistpeople in our communitywho are striving to gain or regainself-sufficiency. Our agencyhas investedin a 5,000 sq. ft. facility at 2403 Carolineto facilitate demandfor services.This facility cunently housesour HomelessOutreacll HIV Testing and Risk Reduction,Homeless Veterans Reintegration program, and, in 2010, a Fogram to help people affectedby HurricaneIke who had yet to find employment.The relocation oithese progrsmsro the Caroline facility has freed up increasedspace for substanceabuse treatrnent at our main facility, 2525 San Jacinto. Renovationshave positioned us to_meetADA requirements,a prerequisitefor state licensing of the 6aroline facility for substanceabuse counseling plartrrcd. At 2525 SanJacinto, we have replacedthe roo{, air conditioning, heatingsystem, and someflooring . At both locations,we havecreated additional parking to sewe our cunent and future programgror+th. We continueto seekfimds to build a 22,500sq. ft. extensionto our prinary 2525 SanJacinto facility. The volume ofclients seekingemplo).ment, substance abuse heafinent, career counseling, educaiion, and other assistanceias nearly doubledover the past l0 years. The proposedbuilding would contain one floor for permanentsupportive housing. Our serviceshave become even more critical in these difficult economictimes due to tha shrinking job maxket.we sie behavioralhealth, educationand employmentas permanentways for families to break the cycle of poverty. Every contribution, regardlessof size,is an investmentin humanpotential. Message A MessageFrom the Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer We are proud to presentthe 2011 Annual Reporton behalf of Career and RecoveryResources, Inc. (CRR). Our agencywas foundedin 1945and continuesto make gteatstrides in reachingour goals as a multi-service agencyof the United Way of GreaterHouston. In the currenteconomic climate, our servicesbecome even more critical as companiesdownsize and send workers into a shrinking job market. As we write this letter, gasoline prices are at a record high, which has adverselyimpacted our clients. The unemploymentrate in the Houston- Galvestonregion range from 75% to 9.9Yo.The number of people receiving unemployment benefits nationally has reached an all-time high and more layoffs are spreading through the economy. People without work often cannot meet house or car payments and other major obligations.The stresson families can lead to divorce,domestic violence, substance abuse, and evenhomelessness. Career and RecoveryResources' mission is to help people identiff and overcomebalriers to employment.Our clients are from all walks of life. They range from highly educatedor skilled job seekersto personsdisadvantaged by homelessness,disabilities, older age,ex-offender status, and other significant barriers. Through the generosityof our funding sourcesand supporters,we continue to meet the needsof the Houston community. This year we served more than 8,900 adults and over 6,400 youth through a variety of activities, including providing Fred Wiener scholarships.We expanded employment servicesfor veteransand the THRIVE program to help families acquire sufficient income and achieve financial stability. We continue to help individuals overcomechemical dependenciesand reach youth with drug preventionmessages. This was accomplishedthrough partnershipswith over 115 community organizationsand employers. We thank each of you for supporting Career and Recovery Resources,Inc. Our work is dedicatedto helping people find meaningful and relevant employinent which we feel is vital to enhancingone's quality of life. We served 5,086 job seekersin our Employment Services programswith 3,008enrolling in EmploymentAssistance and 1,646persons becoming employed at an averagewage of $ 10.1 I per hour. We look forward to a bright future of continuedservice to our community. Sincerely, . ''7 ,/i)Pt"/" t rtrU"*/l'*L Uu,..'J fth/ Dr. William W. Harmon VernusC. Swisher Chairperson,Board of Directors Chief ExecutiveOfficer Programs PersonsServed EmploymentServices 9,000 8,000 Career and Recovery Resourcestakes a holistic approach 7,000 to employer job seekers with tools for successfuljob 6,000 6,553 searches. We have specialized programs to address 5,000 common challenges and improve our clients' employment 5,191 4,000 outcomes through intensive casemanagement. 3,000 2,000 Centrsl & lValler County Employment Services 1,000 Employment and supportive services for job seekers in 2011* Harris and surrounding counties. * Funding was no longer availablefor the American Reinvestment& Recovery Act Programs, Hurricane lke Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) recovery, and youth summeremployment. Job readiness training, certification, and placement for homelessveterans. Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Homeless prevention through housing and employment assistancefor low-income veteranfamilies. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) Adult basic literacy, computer classes, and employment servicesin American Sign Language. Thrive Program Employment, financial literacy and asset-building assistance for hard-working, low-income families, in collaboration with other United Way supported agencies. Project HOPE Employment assistance, case management services and computer training for job seekerswho are HIV positive. Dao learned English, American Sign Language, and studiedfor the citizenship test at CRR after relocating Homeless Outreach Program (HOP) Vietnam. She is now a proud citizen, gainfully fro* Employment workshops at local shelters and a full array employed and contributing back to her new community. of servicesfor homelessindividuals. Projects With Industty (PWI) Employment services for people with physical or mental disabilities. Special Populations Services Employment and case management to address challenges such as employment for former inmates. Youth Employment Services (YES) Career guidance and employment-related life skills training for youth ages16-21. Career Counseling Services Professional guidance for educational or career decisions. Co mmunity Tec hno logt Cente r Michael wentfrom homelessnessto hopefulnessafter Free computer access and individualized computer upgrading his skills through CRR.He obtained two training for the general public. credentials, Certified Nurse Assistant ond Certified Forklift Operator, to secure his future. Prosrams Alternative SubstanceAbuse SubstanceAbuse Treatment Prevention & Treatment 2,300 Services 2,100 1,900 Substance use disorder is a chronic, relapsing health 1,700 condition It also plays a role in many major social 1,500 problems. People who suffer from this illness typically 1,300 cannot see the signs of addiction or break free of its 1,100 destructive progression without experienced guidance. 900 Although substanceuse disorder is a complex illness, it 700 has proven to be successfullytreatable. 500 The Alternative Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program has provided assessment,therapeutic counseling and aftercareto help people recognize,treat and recover from substanceaddiction since 1964. Treatment services are provided to adults on an outpatient basis that enables HIV/STD Testing & Risk Reduction them to maintain normal activities during the treatment 1,200 process.Counseling is conductedin a supportive,gender- specific environment with