᪞ ᪞ ᪞ ᪞ 2005 Annual Report ᪞ ᪞ ᪞ ᪞ ᪞ ᪞ ᪞ Executive Director Carolyn McLaughlin Management Team Scott Auwarter Karen Courtney BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carmen Hernandez Ken Small Officers Eileen Torres Sean Delany, Chair John Weed Jean Smith, Vice Chair Janice Hart, Treasurer Senior Program Directors Marc Kemeny, Secretary Julie Belizaire-Spitzer Noel Concepcion Members Wanda Cruz William Aguado Rita Dwamena Carmen Allende Sara Farimani Gordon Campbell Crosby Inman Vito DeSantis Elisa Istueta Stan Freilich Marjorie Jeannot Marshall Green Bibi Karim Judith Leonard Maria Rivera Patricia McDonald Thomas Samuel David McLean Bruce Phillips Assistant Department Norberto Rivera Directors and Program Directors Lena Townsend Wanda Abeyllez Emil Delgado ᪞ Helen Forde Yvette King-Facey Marcia Lawrence Meredith Levine Rosalina Luongo Frank Morales, Jr. Lisette Nieves Michael Officer Miriam Rabban Marisol Rosa-Saltares Solomon Smart Jessica Smith-Houk Credits Jeanne Tibbets Ken Small - editor ᪞ Daniel Senes - writer/photographer Eve Sandler - designer Alexandra Steedman - photographer ᪞ In 2005, the Citizens Advice Bureau celebrated Carolyn McLaughlin’s 25th anniversary as our Executive Director. When Carolyn first started here, CAB consisted of a single walk-in office with a staff of two who provided information and referral services. Today we are one of the largest settlement houses in New York, operating programs that help over 30,000 residents annually from 25 sites throughout the Bronx. I cannot imagine such a miraculous transformation without Carolyn’s inspired leadership. Her energy and vision — for what CAB can be, for what the Bronx can be — have made this city a far better place to live and work. CAB continues to play a major role in the revitalization of the Bronx, changing along with it to adapt to its growing needs. Success brings new challenges. The escalating cost of rent in the Bronx has put additional pressures on low-income households, making our eviction prevention programs even more essential. Diverse new immigrant populations, with their own special needs, are attracted to our neighborhoods. As more of our residents find jobs, there are not enough quality childcare options for working parents. In a time of rapidly advancing technology, young people and working-age adults must have access to new skills so they are not left behind. This has been an incredible year of growth for the Citizens Advice Bureau. In a little more than twelve months we have added an early childhood learning center, a third shelter for homeless families, a fourth senior center, and a fifth as well as a sixth after-school program for elementary school students. Our Community Center, which has become a local land- mark, recently finished major renovations that make it an even more welcoming place for children and families. CAB will remain an agent of progress, with innovative programs and cost effective initiatives that produce results, impacting our community where the need is greatest. It is with great pride that we share with you this report describing our wide array of services and our many accomplishments. On behalf of the board, the staff, and all of those in the Bronx whose lives have been touched by the Citizens Advice Bureau — thank you, Carolyn, for all that you do. Sean Delany Board Chair ᪞ 2 Citizens Advice Although the Bronx has come a long way since its nadir in the 1970s, much work remains to be done. One-third of Bureau Bronx residents still live in poverty. Many of those who are employed work in low-wage, low-skill jobs. Around 40% of the adult population has not completed high ✻ school. A large number live in substandard housing and ✻ lack adequate healthcare. While this is a sobering portrait, it is an incomplete picture of the reality of the Bronx. The people who live here are determined and committed to improving the quality of life in the borough. They have the support of community Founded in 1972, the Citizens Advice based organizations such as ours. Local businesses see Bureau (CAB) is a Bronx-based set- the potential of the Bronx and are investing in its future. tlement house whose mission is to Over the past several years, the Bronx has steadily improve the economic and social rebuilt its physical infrastructure. Our goal today is to well-being of individuals, families, help our borough as it blossoms into one of vibrant 3 and communities who are most in neighborhoods that offer hope to children and suste- need. Our intent is to enable individ- nance to adults. uals to uncover their potential and improve their lives. To do this we CAB is an integral part of the social fabric of the Bronx. provide direct hands-on help, com- In a little more than three decades, we have grown munity outreach, education, and from a single storefront office into a major social service advocacy, often in collaboration with provider with 25 sites that serve more than 30,000 resi- other organizations. In all aspects of dents annually. Our offices are located in some of the our work, CAB strives for the highest poorest areas of the borough, bringing programs directly ethical and performance standards into the communities that need them most. CAB offers and is guided by the belief that peo- a broad spectrum of programs for all age groups, ranging ple are to be treated with dignity and from infants to senior citizens. Specialized services respect regardless of their present address the needs of immigrants, homeless people, condition or past experiences. CAB families affected by HIV/AIDS, and adults making the makes a difference in the lives of transition from welfare to work. Through this holistic thousands each year, including indi- approach to community development, CAB is helping to viduals at all stages of the life cycle build sustainable communities. and special need populations. A comprehensive direct service organization, CAB’s mission is advanced by 450 staff members, numerous volunteers, and a dedicated board. We are a proud mem- ber of United Neighborhood Houses, the umbrella organi- zation for the settlement house system in New York City. residents address a wide range of issues. At one office alone, we helped 288 indi- viduals or families avoid homelessness through housing counseling and assis- tance in settling rent arrears. Had these area residents been forced to enter the shelter system, the cost to New York City taxpayers could have been as high as Information and Referral Services $6.9 million. In partnership with the Robin Hood Foundation, CAB has created a new pro- gram called Single Stop that augments our tradition of providing I & R assis- tance. It offers low-income Bronx resi- dents one place where they have imme- 4 CAB’s original storefront office was diate access to financial, housing, public founded on an Information and Referral benefits, and family service help at no (I & R) model of walk-in service, which cost. A CAB case manager works with a allows people experiencing any type of lawyer from the Legal Aid Society for problem to meet with qualified staff and housing matters and a representative get assistance. CAB now operates five from a financial institution for money walk-in offices in the South Bronx. These management issues. We now have sites have allowed us to stay abreast of two Single Stop locations, one at the the changing needs of Bronx communi- Community Center and the other at 2070 ties, as we handle a variety of issues on a Grand Concourse. daily basis. Because residents value the immediate assistance these offices pro- One important tool our case managers vide, we have built an I & R component use to assess need is a software program into many of our programs. called the Self-Sufficiency Calculator. Based on information about the house- Our walk-in offices are staffed by skilled, hold, it evaluates what a family must compassionate professionals who are earn to cover the cost of basic needs and specialists in housing, immigration, con- determines eligibility for childcare subsi- sumer rights, senior services, govern- dies, public health care coverage, food ment benefits, and other matters. All stamps, and tax credits. Many people walk-in personnel speak both English have secured assistance they did not and Spanish. Over the last twelve know about or know they qualified for months, we helped more than 6,000 thanks to this resource. ᪞ Serving Immigrants Nearly 400,000 immigrants call the Bronx as how to give directions and talk to home. In fact, the population increase people about common things. By the here over the last decade is almost time they complete the course, students entirely due to immigration. The Bronx are prepared to give reasonable answers has long been a fascinating mix of cul- in English to any question they will face tures, not so much a melting pot as a on the citizenship test. Last year, 175 peo- stew, with each ingredient retaining its ple enrolled in the course and nearly 900 individual flavor while contributing to more received additional help preparing the overall blend. CAB’s programs have for their test, such as consultations and been especially useful to this important mock interviews. part of our community. Our staff speaks over 30 languages. Individuals who come to the immigra- tion office are also able to get advice Since 1989, CAB’s Immigration Unit has about accessing important social ser- helped those born outside the United vices like food stamps, health care, and States with obtaining citizenship, legal housing assistance. Immigrants often status, and social services. This past do not know that such help is available 5 year, its staff helped over 1,000 individu- because of misconceptions that they do als and families from all over the world. not qualify or that applying for aid would Most of their efforts are geared toward hurt their standing with Citizenship and assisting people with citizenship appli- Immigration Services (formerly the INS).