Casa Central 2017 Annual Report

Uniting our community. Embracing our possibilities. Dear Friends and Supporters of Casa Central,

Since assuming the role of Interim President and CEO in October 2016, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of Casa Central’s programs to help individuals and families meet their full potential.

Across the spectrum of life, Casa Central offers hope to so many throughout Chicagoland, giving young children a quality early education, assisting students when they need a safe place to go after school, helping families during a crisis, whether that be homelessness or domestic violence, and making certain that the older adults in our community are engaged and cared for on a daily basis.

One of the aspects of Casa Central of which I am most proud is the ability of our programs to complement one another and provide comprehensive services to the community. For example, earlier this year, our Early Learning Academy reached out to our Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI) program after two young children experienced the deportation of their father. Our VPI Director quickly came to the family’s aid and enrolled the children in our Safe Start services so that the children and their mother could receive culturally-sensitive therapy after the abrupt separation from their father. The family is now engaged in both Head Start services and trauma therapy to make certain that they have the appropriate support to move forward in their life.

In addition, many of the families and communities we serve were impacted by the natural disasters in Mexico and Puerto Rico in 2017. As a result, Casa Central has stepped in and taken a leading role in the community to serve evacuees from Puerto Rico. We have families who fled conditions on the Island who are staying at our La Posada interim homeless shelter; we have older adult evacuees being served by our Home Care Services and Adult Wellness Center, we are serving children evacuees in our Early Learning Academy, and we are hiring evacuees to serve in our older adult home service program. We expect these numbers to rise and stand ready to do all we can to serve this new population. Your continued support will assist us in these efforts to serve this new population.

As always, I want to thank all of our stakeholders, donors, volunteers, partners and staff whose support and generosity over the past year has made our work at Casa Central possible. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to reach the over 11,000 individuals we impact on a yearly basis. We look forward to continuing to work together to transform the lives of so many and create a more just and equitable .

Sincerely,

Martin R. Castro, Esq. Interim President & CEO Our Impact

Demographics 11,182 individuals reached

66%were female

In 1964, Casa Central started with just three employees and a $26,000 budget to provide assistance to 61% migrant workers and their families in Chicago’s predominantly underserved Hispanic neighborhoods. Now, 64 years after the agency’s inception, the depth and range of both programming and those served were primarily has greatly expanded, but our mission remains the same: Spanish speaking Casa Central transforms lives and strengthens communities, with a special focus on Hispanics. Our network of social services propels a diverse population of all ages toward self-sufficiency and a reported70% a household higher quality of life. income under $19,000 To build a strong community, one family at a time, across life stages and generations, Casa Central offers programming in three main areas:

Inspiring Lifelong Learning among Children and Youth: • Early Learning Academy • Home-Based Head Start • Center-Based Head Start of Casa Central participants • School Age Program Providing Safety and Fostering Self-Reliance for Individuals and Families: 97% reported a higher • Intact Family Services • Violence Prevention and Intervention Program • La Posada Interim Housing Program for families experiencing homelessness quality of life as a result of Promoting Active, Healthy Lifestyles for Older Adults: • Adult Wellness Center engaging in our services • Home Care Services • 55 and Better Employment Training Program

1343 N. California Avenue  Chicago, IL 60622  773.645.2300 Program Agency Highlights

Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017

Highlights of families in our La Posada Interim 98% Housing Program maintained permanent housing for of parents/caregivers 6 months after exiting our program. in our Safe Start 100% program showed improvements in their relationship with their children after participating in eight of Home Care Services therapy sessions. participants reported feeling 100% emotionally and physically safer as a result of Home Care Services. August 2016 January 2017 Partnering with Humboldt Park businesses, Our Violence Prevention and Intervention of children in our Casa Central began hosting business program won the Mary Byron Project’s Home Based Early networking luncheons in an effort to work Celebrating Solutions Award, a national 98% Learning Academy of Adult Wellness together to improve the community. Center participants award that highlights programs working to met or exceeded expectations in 100% break the cycle of domestic violence. math comprehension. that completed 4 to 6 sessions of the Arthritis Exercise program reported an increased range of mobility. Oct 2016 of School Age Program Our Chief Operating Officer, Nilda La Luz, students demonstrated of families in our was honored with the Chicago Latino Net- 83% an increase in their Intact Family Services work’s People’s Choice Award. social emotional skills. 98% remained intact during period of service provision.

June 2017 January 2017 Casa Central honored the Our Early Learning Academy late Ward Fisher, our lon- received the prestigious Award gest serving board member, of Excellence from ExceleRate June 2017 with a naming ceremony. . To the delight of our Early Learning Academy and Adult Wellness Center, Miss World came to visit Casa Central and spent the day with our participants. Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI) Program

Since 1987, Casa Central’s Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI) program has worked to help families and young children heal from the trauma of violence and disrupt the cycle of a potential life of violence in the future. Jessica and her children were referred to the VPI Program after her 3-year-old son, Tim, and 2-year-old daughter, Maria, had experienced sexual abuse. When the children became severely symptomatic, Jessica was eventually fired from her job because of the children’s high level of needs. Soon Jessica and her children became homeless and were staying at a third-party shelter. It was there that they began services at Casa Central’s VPI program in November 2016.

Initially Tim and Maria were unable to leave Jessica’s side when they attended therapy sessions. Jessica was unable to use the restroom without taking both of the children in with her, otherwise they would become extremely upset. Currently, the family commutes Jessica reported feeling stressed and overwhelmed as she began from Wisconsin to Casa Central services because she felt that no one had believed her regarding once a week for services because her children’s abuse, and she didn’t know how to best support her Jessica feels that she has found a children through those difficult times. Over time though, Jessica safe and trusting place for herself and her children began developing a trusting relationship with and her children and wishes to their VPI therapist. continue participating in services regardless of distance. The therapist began helping Jessica identify ways to best support Tim and Maria through their trauma. Soon, Jessica was able to advocate for herself and for her children’s overall safety and made the choice to find a safer place for them. Jessica decided to leave the third-party shelter after she felt they weren’t meeting her family’s needs at that time and moved in with her sister in Wisconsin. Through Jessica’s consistent participation in therapy sessions at Casa Central, she was able to begin feeling empowered again to be able to make difficult decisions about her children’s overall well-being.

Now, when 2-year-old Maria walks into the VPI office she leaves her mother’s side and immediately greets the therapist and grabs her hand and walks in with her. Currently, the family commutes from Wisconsin to Casa Central once a week for services because Jessica feels that she has found a safe and trusting place her children and wishes to continue participating in services regardless of distance.

Casa Central staff highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month by placing purple ribbons outside our buildings. The ribbons commemorate and honor the lives lost to domestic violence, and show VPI’s continued mission to end the epidemic. La Posada Interim Housing Program

Devon, his adult daughter and her younger children were chronically homeless for a year after their apartment caught fire in 2015. After they lost their home, the family resided in a shelter for eight months and then decided to leave the state for a new start when Devon was offered a job in Las Vegas. However, after moving to Las Vegas, the family soon found themselves homeless again, discovering that the job promise fell through and relocation accomodations were to a building that was condemned. Devon and his family desperately returned to Chicago but came back with nowhere to go besides an emergency shelter.

Once at the emergency shelter, the city referred the family At La Posada, Colleen’s daughter to Casa Central’s La Posada program, where Devon and his was able to access tutoring and daughter felt safe for the first time in years. Devon immediately bonded with other children began attending La Posada’s job readiness workshops while who were also experiencing searching for housing and employment. With the assistance homelessness. As a result, of their case manager, he was also able to open a case with her school work dramatically Disability Law to appeal for disability benefits. In addition, improved. Devon’s daughter, Colleen, enrolled in classes to obtain her GED. Soon after, Colleen was offered a full-time position with Walgreens.

Contributing to the family’s success, Colleen’s son and daughter began participating in La Posada’s summer and after-school programs. Prior to La Posada, Colleen’s younger daughter was not attending school due to the family’s constant transitioning, which caused her to fall behind academically. At La Posada, she was able to access tutoring and bonded with other children who were also experiencing homelessness. As a result, her school work dramatically improved.

Despite the many barriers they faced, Devon and his family obtained permanent housing during their time at La Posada and were selected to receive funds from Rapid Re-Housing for 3 months of rental assistance. In addition, La Posada assisted the family by providing generous donations of furniture and household items, including cleaning supplies, housing, toiletries, clothing and bus passes. The family In partnership with the Greater Chicago is now happily residing in their new apartment and continues to participate in La Posada’s follow up Food Depository, La Posada distributes over services. 50,000 pounds of food to families as they work towards permanent housing. Financials How funds are used: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017 87% of funding goes to programs

Children & Youth Older Adult Services (48%) $3,301,246 Children & Youth (20%) Total Revenue: $16, 048, 771 Family & Community (19%) Administration (10%) Administration Fundraising (3%) $1,651,218 Revenue Sources: 2017 Government and Public Support $11,648,700 Total Expenses Program Service Fees $3,035,535 Fundraising $519,583 Private Support $1,073,443 $16,546,319 In-Kind and Other Income $271,093 73% United Way $20,000 Family & Older Adult Services Total $16,048,771 Community $7,950,301 $3,123,971

Who We Serve 19%

7% 1% 0.1% Children & Youth Individuals & Families Older Adults United Way In-Kind and Private Support Program Government & Other Income Service Fees Public Support 21% 16% 63% Donors Fiscal Year July 1st 2016 to June 30th, 2017

$50,000 and above Charles and M. R. Shapiro Foundation, Inc. First Merit Bank The Chicago Community Trust Cubs Care Ward Fisher Healthy Communities Foundation Joan M. Hall Goya Foods $49,999 to $20,000 Insperity Francis Beidler Foundation Pajeau Children’s Foundation Foundation for Charities Advocate Bethany Charitable Foundation Peoples Gas Company Maximilian C. Gibbons and Adriana Cantu Alliance for Strong Families and Communities Rush University Medical Center Illeana Gomez Anonymous Foundation Small Shelter Fund Larry J. Goodman Bank of America Foundation The Boeing Company Herman & Katherine Peters Foundation, Corp. BMO Harris Bank TJX Foundation Icon Identity Solutions ComEd United Way of Metropolitan Chicago IlliniCare Health Plan The Crown Family WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Sarajane Johnson Irving Harris Foundation Wintrust Financial David Kundla and Lynn Fisher Michael Reese Health Trust Jones Lang LaSalle Paul M. Angell Family Foundation $4,999 to $1,000 Jackson Lewis, LLP Robert R. McCormick Foundation AbbVie Foundation Kirkland & Ellis LLP Waste Management, Inc. Aetna Better Health Illinois La Preferida William Wrigley Jr. Company Allstate Employee Giving Nilda and Angel La Luz $19,999 to $10,000 Amsted Industries Foundation Annette Martinez The A. Montgomery Ward Foundation Anonymous Max Goldenberg Foundation Anonymous Company Daniel I. Arroyo MAXIMUS Foundation Avon Foundation Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. McCortney Foundation Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation Baker & McKenzie, LLP Kevin and Wanda Medina-McDonald BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Orlando Rios and Diana Bautista-Rios Millennium Advisors LLC Chicago White Sox Charities John Callan Molina Healthcare of Illinois, Inc The Fred J. Brunner Foundation Joan Carrol William Morrison and Jeanette Bolte Heitman Martin R. Castro David Nirenberg Humana The Center for Student Missions Oak Street Health Kellogg Company Chaddick Foundation Oil-Dri Corporation of America Kenilworth Union Church Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network PayPal Giving Fund Mary Byron Project. Inc. Cogan & Power, P. C. Peter’s Foundation North Shore Exchange Combined Insurance Company Presence Health Foundation W. P. & H. B. White Foundation Jeffrey and Marilyn Connor Evan Peterson Walgreens Company Steve and Joy Doran Proven Managed IT Solutions George M. Eisenberg RBC Capital Markets, LLC $9,999 to $5,000 El Milagro, Inc. Mary Reynolds ABC 7 Chicago WLS-TV John and Sally Filan Arlene Rodriguez Alliant Credit Union Foundation Karen G. Fisher RSM US LLP Fiscal Year July 1st 2016 to June 30th, 2017

$4,999 to $1,000 (Cont.) Karina Cabrales Jose Llive Yelba I. Caldera-Vargas Jose A. Lopez Gordon and Carole Segal German Callejas Cesar A. Lostaunau Solano-De Carrier Management CO., LLC Valerie Canavan Leticia Madrigal $999 to $500 Car Outlet Ana Marquinez-Castellanos Luz Marie Caro Marsal Avila Law Group Hiram Agosto Domingo Carreira Amanda Hughes Martinez Rosa Alba Olga L. Castañeda Lourdes Martinez Esperanza C. Arana Pablo Castro-Roman Sandra Martinez Salvador F. Arana Central Steel and Wire Virginia R. Matos Bea & VanderBerk Attorneys at Law Lisa M. Chessare Sara Matta Adam Buresh City Lights Ltd. Paul and Jane S. McCreedy Domingo J. Carreira Lucrecia Colin Amanda McMillen Carmen Solano-De Carrier Glenda Contreras Sandra Medina Cristina Foods Combined Fed. Campaign /National Capital Area Midwest Combined Federal Campaign Ruth E. Delwiche Common Threads Jim Miranda Margaret Dickerson Charles and Donna Coventry The Mission of Our Lady of Mercy, Inc. First Baptist Church Yvette Marie De Jesus Maritza Morales First Congregational Church of La Grange Araceli R. De La Cruz Richard and Cynthia Morehead Haydee Garcia Martin and Cheryl Debusmann-Serra Loraine Moreno Jose L. Gomez Marie Deleanos Jose Muñoz Health Care Services Corporation Jose Delgado Christopher and Sharon Murphy Michael and Beverly Huckman Virginia Diaz Catherine Murray Paul and Kelly Karl Eugene and Mary Di Monte David Mussatt Kim and Maureen Klatt Flynn Doran Richard Negron Daniel J. Marquez Kevin J. Van Eron Clemente Nicado Marsh & McLennan Companies Essential Acupuncture Chicago Donors Antonio and Benita Nunez Raymundo Martinez Diego Estrella Oak Brook Mechanical Services Fiscal Year July 1st 2016 to June 30th, 2017 Mercer Consulting Antonette Favia Diana Palomar Michael and Andrea Mercuri Felix’s Famous Cookies Robert Pantoja $499 to $100 (Cont.) Karen G. Fisher In-Kind Donors Tim and Caitlin Mooney Elizabeth Fiden Justin Park David Kundla and Lynn Fisher Norwegian American Hospital First Presbyterian Church of Park Ridge Griselda Parra Sydney Smith ABC 7 Chicago WLS-TV Dennis Fitzpatrick and Judith Voight Oakton Community College First United Church of Oak Park Betty Peaslee James and Alice L. Snelgrove Allied Integrated Marketing Lawrence and Helen Foster The Pepsico Foundation, Inc. Gregoria Flores PCS Industries Stratford Square Mall American Airlines Isaac and Pamela Green Peruvian Foundation for Education and Health Lee Francis Nicole Perez Rachel Sturgeon Lynne Anderson Amanda Hetzel David Pesqueira Tony Gallegos Richard and Ross Perrotte Teens of Grace Ann & Robert H. Lurie - Helen C. Hoagland Eric Peyer and Leah Kneeper Yolanda V. Garces William and Sylvia Perryman Transitions Hospice Children’s Hospital of Chicago Cynthia Hull Presbytery of Chicago Hunger Mission Team Horacio Garcia Mary Jane Peterson The Trust for Public Land Aramark Stephen and Judy Humowiecki Shirley Ricks Ricardo and Clorinda Garcia Lisa Pieper Josefina Ulloa Alicia Arroyo Paul and Kelly Karl Elizabeth Colon Rivera Todd Gilchrist Presbyterian of Chicago United Way of Brown County Lynn Ashley Thomas Koestler Tatiana Sanjines Michelle Gittler First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Atzimba Catering and Events Kevin and Taryn Kryzda Louise K. Smith Araceli Gonzalez American Express Employee Giving Program Paula Valencia Azteca America 61 Elda Leal Vikram and Purva Sule Denisse Gonzalez Mayra Quiñonez John and Julie Varga Cindy Behles Angela Lui Sysco Food Services - Chicago, Inc. Juvenal Gonzalez Carmen Ramos Albert Vargas Jaime and Leslie Belmares Richard A. Mathews United Heartland Lymaris Gonzalez Ravenswood Presbyterian Church Anne Vela-Wagner Yesenia Beltran Jim and Lynn McClure V & V Supremo Foods, Inc. Nelson Gonzalez and Teresa Garcia Myriam Restrepo Sonia Villaseñor Janet Betancourt Paul and Jane S. McCreedy Walter and Caroline Sueske Charitable Trust Glorianne Gordils-Hamm Roberto and Natalie Restrepo Carolyn Weigel Blue Man Group / Richard and Margaret McKinlay WEC Energy Corp Arturo Guerrero Graciela Reyes Sally Weigel BMO Harris Bank William Morrison and Jeannette Bolte Wells Fargo Foundation Zoila Gutierrez Bill and Maura Reynolds William Weigel Brazil Express Churrasco Grill Howard and Diane Munyon Ross Westreich Vanessa Hall William D. Reynolds Wired @ Heart Bright Horizons Foundation for Children Marilyn Palmer Imelda Hansen Kurt W. Ripkey Evan Wollak Chicago Bears $499 to $100 Diana Palomar Gerald and MJ Harris Israel Rivera Craig Wories Chicago Bulls James and Marian Pareti Julia Adams Millie Hernandez Cynthia Rodriguez John A. Ybarra Chicago Cares Betty Peaslee A New Dairy Inc. Omar Hernandez Felix Rodriguez Sloane York Chicago Cubs Richard and Ross Perrotte Rosy Aguilar Jane Heron Paul and Mary W. Roloff Rafael Zendejas Chicago Fire/ Fireworks for Kids Foundation Bertha Peterson The Allstate Foundation Yuki Hirao Edwin Roman Barbara Zerfoss Chicago Shakespeare Theater Mary Jane Peterson American Express Employee Giving Cherie Hopkins Rumcins Freddy A. Roman Chicago White Sox Charities Jack and Helena Schimpf Fabiola Amezcua Noel Hornsberry Jose De La Rosa In Memory of Ward Fisher Chicago Wolves Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) James and Nancy Schmidt Chicago Zoological Society Evelio Angulo Olga Rosa Julia Adams Cynthia Hull John and Julie Varga Maria Calderon Emilia Arroyo Isac Rosalio Atzimba Catering and Events Oscar A. Jara Nancy Waichler Jaqueline Camacho AT&T Employee Giving Dolly Rosario Hank and Susan Bode Vipul Kapoor Joseph and Lois Zitoli Carter’s # 0868 Eric Ayala Miguel Ruiz Don Bone Mariela Kimble Barbara Zerfoss Carter’s # 0946 Doris Ayala Myran Salazar Valerie Canavan Thomas Koestler Carter’s # 0957 Mike and Donna Bell Maria Sanchez Joan Carroll In Memory of Francisca Muñoz Samantha Koss Carter’s # 523 Don Bone Arturo Sandoval Charles Carroll Rachel Kuipers Teresa Garcia and Nelson Gonzalez Carter’s # 820 Maria Bernabe Heather Scalia Agnes Cooper Elda Leal Carter’s # 962 James Botana Nancy and James Schmidt Charles and Donna Coventry In Memory of Jose Diaz James Licata Carter’s #1066 Bright Horizons Foundation for Children Jack and Helena Schimpf Eugene and Mary Di Monte Cesar Diaz Shaireen Cabassa Littler Mendelson, PC Shield Health Care Marcela Castellanos Fiscal Year July 1st 2016 to June 30th, 2017 In-Kind Donors (Cont.) Martin R. Castro Wendy & Mike O’Leary Cermak Produce # 4 Oak Street Health MSO, LLC Board of Directors Dark Matter CoffeeDiane Christiansen Oakton Community College Board of Directors Diane Collins Nora Oranday ComEd Gerardo Ormelas Elizabeth Cruz Orlando Ornelas Eric Davila Norman Parker Deerfield High School Patricia Peña Deloitte Services LP Kristine Penn DePaul University Evelina Pereira-Weber Eduardo Diaz Eric Peyer and Leah Kneeper Sherry Dickerson Esther Quintero Blanca Duarte Ashlaey Renteria Linda Dudlicek Revolution Brewery Milena Echeverry David Rodriguez Elastic Arts Esther Rodriguez Pam Erickson Miriam Rodriguez Stacey Espinosa Otto Rodriguez First Congregational Church of La Grange Joe and Olga Rojas First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Denise Sanchez First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville Jorge and Miriam Santiago First Presbyterian Church of Park Ridge Margaret Schwendner The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago Blanca Sepulveda Frederic Chopin Elementary School SingleHop, Inc. Fresh Market Place Marguerite Solari Daniela Garza Sokolowsky Teens of Grace GATX Corporation The Goodman Theater Global Leadership / Revive Cafe The iO Theater Hernando Gomez Theater Sandra Gregory The VIG Chicago Gymboree Store # 638 The Waste Shed Gymboree Store # 319 Frank Torres Amanda Harris Trinity United Church of Christ Jeff Hertzberg Uhaul Chicago Ron Hoy and Fanny Villaseñor Up Comedy Club Hopewell Brewing Company Grisella Vasquez Dorothy Jane Hove Alicia Welnhofer Angel Arroyo Perfecto Perales Humana William Wrigley Jr. Company Dr. Rosita Lopez Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation, NFP WMAQ-TV NBC 5 Chicago Director Director The Kindness Connection Wolcott School Chairperson Senior Vice President, Head of Unitized and Consultant Margarita Jaime Professor, Northern Illinois University in Report Services, Northern Trust Company Gloria Jean DeKalb Jones Lang LaSalle Miguel Ruiz Kids In Distressed Situations, Inc (KIDS) Karen Fisher Stacy Kallas Joe Teller Director La Colombe Coffee Roasters Director Attorney /Partner, Cogan & Power, P.C., Vice Chairperson Director of Admission and Financial Beth Lacey Director of Planning & Operations, BMO Attorneys at Law Magda Lamesch Aid, Francis Parker School Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants Financial Group Purva Sule Lincoln Hall Noel Hornsberry Lookingglass Theater Company John Filan Director Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Director Treasurer Director of Customer Segment Strategy, Lynfield Winery Senior Diversity & Inclusion Business BMO Financial Group Suzy McClure Vice President, Development Specialists, Inc Partner, Kellogg Company Belinda Mendelson Judith Mendez Mary Ann Vasquez Mercer Consulting Araceli De La Cruz Annette Martinez Michael and Andrea Mercuri Director Secretary Director Associate Director of Human Resources, Migdalia’s Caribbean Beauty Spa General Counsel, UNO Charter School Vice President of Communications, ComEd Praxair MJ Holding, Inc. Network Monreal Investments Properties LP Navy Pier Martin R. Castro Nellie’s Restaurant Salvador Arana Diana Palomar North Grand High School Director Interim President & CEO Director Interim President & CEO, Casa Central Northwestern Memorial Hospital Vice President of Community Affairs, Director of Construction, Peoples Gas Visit our website at www.casacentral.org/get-involved/donate to learn more about how you can give today! Company ABC 7 Chicago WLS-TV Casa Central 1343 N. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 www.casacentral.org [email protected] P: (773) 645-2300 F: (773) 645-2475 Casa Central Social Services @CasaCentral @CasaCentral