2012 annual report UNITED STATES | MEXICO | INDIA | SOUTH AFRICA | VENEZUELA Everyone faces challenges in life—but the capacity to overcome hardships, learn from mistakes, and forge ahead in the face of immense adversity is a quality “Success is not inherent in most successful individuals. measured by what you accomplish but by the The obstacles facing Christel House students are daunting— opposition you have daily exposure to gang warfare, drugs, alcoholism, encountered, and the hunger, abuse, negative role models, violence, suffering, courage with which and discrimination—but every day our students come to you have maintained school, learn, and set their sights on a better tomorrow. the struggle against They have dreams, and while at Christel House their overwhelming odds.” aspiration is to make those dreams become reality. — Orison Swett Marden We celebrate their determination and courage. They are American author breaking through the barriers of poverty to build a new Africa South House Christel DeHaan visiting Christel Photo: and better life for themselves and a future for their families. They are our heroes, and role models for others to follow. Sincerely, Christel DeHaan, Founder and CEO 1 | CHRISTEL HOUSE CHRISTEL HOUSE WORKS 96.9 % Students Returning Annually Total Number of Students Served (including Graduates) 4,158 Graduation Rate 99% Attendance Rate 96% Photo: Christel House South Africa student near his home Graduates Continuing Studies or % Gainfully Employed 98 “Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.” — Bernadette Devlin Youngest woman elected to British Parliament BREAKING BARRIERS | 2 “Most of the things worth doing in the world were declared impossible before they were done.” — Louis D. Brandeis Former Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court our PASSIon Transforming the lives of impoverished children, and giving them the skills to become self-sufficient “Christel House teaches us to do and productive citizens, is difficult work. It requires things which we think we substantial time, significant resources and focused programming. And, it requires the courage to keep cannot do. I feel motivated to trying in the face of overwhelming odds. take up challenges and explore Every day, Christel House students prove they are new things.” up to these challenges – by giving back to their communities, taking responsibility for their own actions and making good decisions. — Amala, 10th Grade These students have dreams and aspirations; they Christel House INDIA - Bangalore respect themselves and others. They have good values, demonstrate ethical behavior and resist negative peer pressure. They learn to achieve and ultimately, to live a purposeful life. Visit us www.christelhouse.org As a result, their lives—and the lives of those gen- Follow us erations that follow—are being transformed forever. Email us [email protected] Call us 866-424-5437 317-464-2030 3 | CHRISTEL HOUSE BOARD oF DIreCTORS Christel House International Board of Directors Christel DeHaan Neil Offen Founder and Chief Executive Officer Retired President and Christel House International Chief Executive Officer Direct Selling Association Geoff Ballotti Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrick O’Meara RCI Vice President Emeritus International Affairs and Dr. Carol D’Amico Special Advisor to the President Vice President, East Region Indiana University Project Lead the Way Marcia Rowley George Donovan Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer Retired Chief Executive Officer International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. Bluegreen Corporation “Christel House gave Gail Shiel me the tools to move Nancy Gillespie (joining in 2013) Principal Former Human Development Economist Shiel Design Company forward and never World Bank surrender to the Perry Snyderman Nelson Hitchcock Partner obstacles. My Senior Vice President DLA Piper US LLP teachers provided me Scholastic, Inc. Dennert O. Ware with the necessary Margarita Kintz Chief Executive Officer values and strategies Retired President CeloNova BioSciences, Inc. Intel Foundation to be a successful citi- Dr. Matthew Will zen. They taught me Donald E. Knebel (joining in 2013) Associate Professor of Finance Partner University of Indianapolis that money is neces- Barnes & Thornburg LLP sary, but integrity, Cheryl Wendling Martha D. Lamkin Senior Vice President independence, Retired President and Chief Executive Officer Christel House International respect and respon- Lumina Foundation for Education, Inc. sibility are keys to Guido Neels success.“ Managing Director Essex Woodlands — Deibis, 2007 Graduate Christel House VENEZUELA BREAKING BARRIERS | 4 tranSPARENCY anD aCCOUNTABIlItY Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements of Christel House International and its Affiliates 2012 Combined Revenue: $18,750,000 Founder* $4,995,000 27% Government $6,564,000 35% Corporations/Foundations $4,902,000 26% Individuals/Board Members $990,000 5% CH Open/Events $655,000 4% Other $644,000 3% 2012 Combined Operating Expenses: $18,746,000 Education & Other Programs/Services $13,233,000 70% Management & General $1,614,000 9% Fundraising $2,070,000 11% Health, Nutrition, Outreach & Social Services $1,829,000 10% * 2012 founder contributions, plus earnings on previously contributed founder restricted funds, less $3,274,000 of advanced funding by founder of future general and administrative expenses. Christel House International is a registered 501 (c)(3) public charity number 35-205-1932.Christel House learning centers are registered not-for-profit entities in their local countries. The Christel House Registration number with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is SC 10875. 5 | CHRISTEL HOUSE 100% of your donation directly benefits the children of Christel House. Overhead and fundraising costs are covered by the organization’s founder. Breaking through the barriers of poverty requires tenacity and determination. It requires adherence to rigorous educational and business practices, high measures of accountability and complete transparency. Every learning center’s financial statements are audited annually, and clean opinions were received from all centers in their most recently submitted audit. Nearly 325 staff members around the world are committed to helping these children grow into productive, self-sufficient citizens. BREAKING BARRIERS | 6 WHAT We Do Lack of education and opportunity, mal- Education has always been the pathway to a nutrition, disease, and low self-esteem – better life. Academic achievement and character these are among the barriers that development are central to the Christel House Christel House helps overcome. model. Breaking Barriers: Students come to school and stay in school. Children living in extreme poverty often drop out of school to earn money and help support their families; few graduate from high school. In 2012, 96.9% of our students from the previous year returned to school; daily attendance worldwide was 96%, and 99% of students in their final year graduated. Christel House prepares students to become responsible, caring citizens through a strong character development program built on four timeless values—respect, responsibility, indepen- Students receive two nutritious meals and a dence and integrity. snack daily, regular medical and dental care, and Breaking Barriers: Students are honest, hard when needed, counseling from social workers working and compassionate. Negativity, greed and mental health professionals. and corruption often flourish within impover- Breaking Barriers: Students are healthy and ished communities. In 2012, Christel House physically fit. When children are hungry or students raised money to drill a well in Tanzania, sick, learning is impaired. In 2012, more than petitioned government officials to provide better 7,620 medical interventions took place at Chris- sanitation, and recycled waste materials. Rather tel House learning centers worldwide--annual than viewing themselves as victims, Christel physicals, vision tests, auditory screenings and House students are empowered to make the dental procedures. world a better place. 7 | CHRISTEL HOUSE Students receive assistance in completing col- Students return to their families and communi- lege admission applications, securing schol- ties each night. Christel House offers a variety arships or apprenticeships, preparing for job of workshops on topics, including: family plan- interviews and job placement. When studying ning, parenting skills, conflict resolution, sub- at post-secondary institutions, Christel House stance abuse, nutrition and hygiene to improve graduates receive tuition assistance, stipends, the lives of parents and community members. and continued medical services and counseling. Breaking Barriers: Child + Parent + Breaking Barriers: Our graduates work, study School = a powerful combination to strengthen or do both. In some Christel House countries family ties. Poverty often fragments families. the unemployment rate is 50% or higher for Through our community outreach program, young adults. Christel House graduates are role Christel House parents become invested in the Photo: Christel House India students playing games during gym class during gym games playing students House India Christel Photo: models and change agents, and 98% are engaged development of their children. in meaningful, productive activities. Christel House is the best solution to breaking the cycle of poverty for children, both domestically and internationally, that we have ever experienced. The Christel House model focuses