ESCAPE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER 2007 ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT Ray Albrecht Counsel, Enterprise Products Operating, L.P. Voices. We all have them. PAST PRESIDENT Clay A. Jackson Spencer Stuart Tragically, many thousands of men and women use their voices to shame, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Gail Creech Graig Alvarez insult, exploit and abuse children. Voices like theirs will damage children Community Volunteer Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP David Ferdman Diane Bailey, Ph.D. President & CEO, CYRUSONE Psychologists & Associates for a lifetime – and they will almost certainly become abusers themselves. Gerald Franklin Michael Cole President, G. Franklin Agency, Inc. ESCAPE/Exchange Texas District Gulf Ronnie Hagerty Betty Cox, Ph.D. Director of Community Relations, Professor, Texas Southern University United Way of the TX Gulf Coast Mimi Dinh You can use your voice to change this reality and transform the future of J. Boyd Heath III President, Mikel Marketing, LLC Chairman & CEO, Network Intern'l Marjorie Evans boys and girls in Houston – and their children, and their children. It sounds Richard S. Figueroa Chairman, Universal Weather Asst. VP, CPA, CFM, Merrill Lynch Hon. Eva M. Guzman Joel Mohrman Justice 14th District Court of Appeals impossible, but it’s true. There’s a place in Houston dedicated to teaching Attorney at Law, McGlinchey Stafford Joan Schnitzer Levy John D. Schiller, Jr. Community Volunteer mothers and fathers, foster parents and grandparents the skills needed to raise President & CEO, Energy XXI Larry McAfee Pamela J. Penny CFO, U.S. Physical Therapy Senior VP of Finance, Kerry Mazoch and care for their children in appropriate ways. It’s the only place of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. VP, Genesis Crude Oil, L.P. Kim Padgett President, The Padgett Group its kind. It’s called ESCAPE Family Resource Center. Stephen Rife VP of Lending, Sterling Bank Ivana M. Shumberg Shumberg & Associates Stephen R. Skeeter In ESCAPE classes, caregivers learn how to communicate with instructive, Office Head Marsh USA Inc. Scott Talley constructive words instead of hurtful criticisms or, in too many cases, belts President, Consumer Guide and fists. They learn how to control their impatience and rage. How to respect their children as individuals with rights and feelings instead of property to be manipulated and abused. Make a statement that will begin to stop the cycle of child abuse. Start with your wallet. Start right now. Chief Executive Officer Board President As I write this letter, I can hear the voices of colleagues outside my office who are at work advancing our vital mission. In my memory, I can hear the words of our Early in my tenure as president, I was awakened by the voice on the grateful clients – men, women and children – whose lives have been changed by radio describing the arrest of a 19-year-old who had, in a fit of anger the work ESCAPE does. and frustration, thrown an infant across the room, resulting in her death. I was certain then, as I am now, that this young man and the infant girl If our classroom walls could talk, they’d pour out the anguish expressed as men and would not be the statistic they now are if he had taken the courses women begin to share their stories, and then the confidence and empowerment offered by ESCAPE. Fortunately, ESCAPE reaches many who benefit adults gain as they learn skills for constructive parenting and relationship building. from its programs. I can still hear the voice of a teenage girl I met outside They’d also share about our children, who week to week talk about the extraordinary ESCAPE one early morning. She was waiting for the building to open changes they’re experiencing at home. How lunches are being made for them. as she had arrived early for her last program, and she described her How fathers are kneeling, listening, and talking in softer, more empathetic voices. excitement at graduating and all she had learned to help her raise her How families are being transformed by ESCAPE’s people and curriculum. 4-year-old child. We have heard from many fathers, mothers and children this year who share their gratitude and tell us of the reduction of stress, What a privilege it is to be a part of this! We’re building and equipping In Fiscal Year increased communication between parents and children, and the families in ways that are shaping the future of our city. Perhaps no 2007, ESCAPE strengthening of their family bond. person or program can eradicate the verbal, physical and sexual abuse delivered 213 of children, but the people and programs of ESCAPE are making a I have been honored to serve as president and want to thank all of our remarkable difference. programs, supporters, teachers and staff who give ESCAPE the opportunity to turn serving 4,457 that voice from “I didn't know how to deal with it.” to “Thanks for teach- Every donation we receive is put toward supporting and furthering this ing me a better way to raise my child.” work. And every donor – from the 11-year-old who gives $3 to the parents and foundation that gives $300,000 – is genuinely appreciated. From children. everyone at ESCAPE, I thank you for your support. You contributions are making a difference in the today, and will for generations to come. Raymond Albrecht President Board of Trustees Lidya K. Osadchey Chief Executive Officer 2 3 ESCAPE EQUIPS FAMILIES WITH LANGUAGE FOR CHANGE. In 1983, area chapters of The National Exchange Club founded ESCAPE intolerable. Families in a time of flux may act and speak CIRCLE OF LOVE Family Resource Center as part of a national project to prevent child impulsively with hurtful words and behaviors. Building Many primary caregivers of children are not birth New Beginnings was designed to strengthen families mothers and fathers but grandparents, aunts, uncles and abuse and neglect. The name ESCAPE stands for Exchange Supported who are experiencing serious conflicts in the ongoing other family members. Being given the responsibility Child Abuse Prevention Effort and honors those founders. A 501 (c) 3 transitions during and after divorce. Parents meet of taking care of a relative’s children can initiate together while children and teens work in groups disagreements and arguments about what’s best for a nonprofit, privately supported agency, ESCAPE is dedicated to teaching divided by age. Families reconvene at the end of each child. Talking with others who are experiencing the parents how to honor and cherish their children. Our classes open session to practice the skills they have learned. same situation can help. Circle of Love addresses dialogue among families in similar situations and provide these families ways to handle stress, the challenges of relating to CABLISPANIAN adult children, and family communication styles. with tools that are invaluable in achieving their goals and making their Sometimes it’s hard to find just the right word to family dreams come true. Parents and children alike learn communication explain your background and family of origin. Golfer DADS COUNT skills that equip them to manage life’s most challenging situations. Tiger Woods has said that when people asked him Dads often feel as though they have no say in the about his racial and cultural background, he didn’t know way their children are raised and cared for. The stress, ESCAPE receives no United Way, federal or state funding. We depend on how to answer the question. He coined the word loneliness and abandonment fathers feel after being the members of the Exchange Clubs and the generosity of individuals, “Cablinasian” to describe the rich blend of cultural separated from their children can interfere with backgrounds (white, black, American Indian and Asian) relationships and work. Dads Count helps fathers gain foundations, corporations, civic, and religious associations for the funds that he represents. a better understanding of ways to help their children necessary to carry out our mission. ESCAPE has borrowed the word coined by Woods and modified it to include the Hispanic culture, which many I now plan on setting BUILDING CONFIDENT FAMILIES Families is a course that shows parents and children how Houstonians share. The word “Cablispanian” describes The family is the first community children live in and to respect and appreciate one another. Trained facilitators an innovative new program that serves families who up discussions with learn in, and their parents are their first teachers. They teach family members skills for coping, dealing with have come to Houston from different cultures. In some my children and learn their first words from the family environment. feelings, managing anger, the importance of family cases, parents are of different races. They may even Without instruction and good role models, many parents meetings, discipline without punishment, and how come from two different cultures and find themselves listening more for find the job of raising children to be the most demanding to formulate and voice family dreams. immersed in a mainstream culture that is unlike either job they have ever undertaken. Building Confident of their own. Cablispanian classes teach parents how to their feelings and BUILDING NEW BEGINNINGS help children express ideas and feelings related to their After a divorce, family dynamics are certain to change. culture, how to recognize the unique emotional and needs. I also plan New words are introduced into the vocabulary of family developmental stages of bi-cultural children, how to members. Custody issues arise. Parents and children alike understand the concept of different value orientations, on setting up a experience stress that often feels unmanageable. Even the as well as anger management, discipline strategies and logistics of moving from one home to another can seem creating family dreams.