fresh youth initiatives 2014 annual report
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Dear FYI Family,We take great pleasure in sharing our 2013-2014 annual report, marking FYI’s twentieth year of unwavering commit-ment and dedicated service to young people and their families in our vibrant Washington Heights community. From its grassroots beginning, FYI has continually evolved to meet the needs of the youth we serve while maintaining the integrity of our programs and our special brand of “FYI Magic,” that is, our family-like environment.
I have been part of the FYI family for fifteen years, starting as a volunteer and serving on the Board since 2003. I have seen young people thrive, their lives changed for the better; I have heard parents thank staff for being key figures during their children’s transformative years; and I have heard from pro-gram alumni, now adults, about the direct, positive impact FYI had on their development. We have even come full circle with six current staff members who are FYI alumni—they have chosen to give back to the next generation of young people because of how deeply they believe in the FYI model of youth engagement.
As we reflect back on the tremendous impact FYI has had over twenty years, we also look forward to the organization’s growth and evolution. This year in particular marks a new chapter for FYI as we bid a heartfelt farewell to our Executive Director, Esteban “Steve” Ramos who seized upon an opportunity to pursue a fellowship in state government. It was a difficult decision for him, but as he always tells our youth, change is not to be feared. The board has been working diligently on a search to identify Steve’s succes-sor and we are confident that we will identify the right candidate to build upon the hard work that Steve and his predecessor, founder Andrew Rubinson, undertook so skillfully and lovingly.
Organizationally, FYI is strong. The infrastructure we have put into place over the past few years has proven successful. Receiving our first four-star rating from Charity Navigator attested to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. On the program side, FYI is thriving. We brought back Trip USA, enhanced our college readiness program (Aspire), and refined our academic support, all while keeping true to our community service core.
We have you, our friends and supporters, to thank for getting us to where we are today. It is because of your confidence in our service delivery and organizational capacity that we are celebrating this twentieth anniversary milestone together. On behalf of the board of directors, please ac-cept our most sincere appreciation for your commitment to the youth and community of Washington Heights.
Warmly,
Edward LehmannChair, Board of Directors Photo: FYI board members celebrate high school graduation with FYI’s Class of 2014.
Preparing to make deliveries to homebound seniors at our Helping Hands Food Pantry.“The people are so happy when they see us.” JENNIFER, AGE 10
Trip USA 2014—North Carolina“FYI gave me the chance to see a place and life I never knew.” SARAI, AGE 13
The Welcome Program helped 25 recent immigrants with English fluency, math and reading skills, and self-confidence.
Ninety 8th graders earned community service credits required to graduate.
300 FYI youth each volunteered between 90 and 300+ community service hours.
College tour of the Albany area with the Aspire Program.“It made me really want to go to college.” DAPHNE, AGE 15
Thirty summer campers averted summer learning loss with hands-on STEM activities. Pictured here: Making Volcanos!
The Year in Pictures
FYI Youth: Defying Statistics
Out of 59 NYC Community Districts, Washington Heights ranks:
11th in NYC for children in households below the Federal Poverty Line
11th in teen birth rates
13th in juvenile arrests
Out of 32 school districts, Washington Heights ranks:
1st in NYC for # of English Language Learners
1st in NYC for # of new immigrant students
14th in high school dropout rate
FYI engages young people in meaningful activities with their community, their peers, and adult role models. We help young people develop the tools they need to make good decisions, to impact their community, and to successfully navigate through middle and high school on to college.
340 Youth Served 2013-2014:
91% Hispanic/Latino
95% Free or reduced lunch eligible
86% First generation or immigrant
Washington Heights
MANHATTAN
Four factors affect the lives of FYI youth
� LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES
� POVERTY
� DELAYED ACADEMICS
� IMMIGRATION
Your support changes lives
100% of FYI high school seniors graduated and enrolled in college
90% of youth reported improved self-esteem because of FYI
85% of youth reported acquiring new skills and having meaningful first-time experiences because of FYI
11,000 community service hours logged by youth
FYI Outcomes 2013-2014
Success Story: KevinKevin’s first exposure to FYI was through our Community Service Learning Program, a one- semester program at a local middle school. It was the first time he recalls being given a chance to be engaged in activities designed to benefit others. Up until that point, Kevin’s main focus was on himself. Not surprising for an adolescent, right? Well, his reasons were a bit different than those of a more typical American teen.
“ I tried to be someone else for so long that I can’t remember the me that was Kevin. FYI helped me see that I can be myself, and improve myself. Now, I want to be in the spotlight for doing good things. I do community service to show that what I do can make a difference.”
Born in the U.S., Kevin lived in Puerto Rico from infancy until seventh grade, when his family returned. Although his mother did her best to provide a loving home, his early years were scarred by family instability, tragic loss, and physical danger. Once back in the U.S., Kevin’s determination to speak English earned him a seat in a mono- lingual class by eighth grade, but he was extremely self-conscious about his accent and how the other students treated him. “I felt like my tongue dissolved when I tried to speak.” Like all kids his age, Kevin just wanted to fit in.
Kevin tried to overcome his low self-esteem by impressing his peers once he got to high school. In his uptown neighborhood, that meant acting like “the guys on the corner.” In fact, many of Kevin’s friends dropped out of high school and as Kevin tells it, they’re still hanging out on the corner. He had one foot in street life and another at FYI; ultimately, with a lot of guidance from FYI staff members, Kevin pulled away from the street and toward the positivity and possibilities at FYI.
Kevin ended up staying with FYI throughout high school, earning over 500 community service hours—one of his favorite projects was giving out soup and sandwiches to the homeless—in addition to complet-ing FYI’s pilot college prep program. Today, Kevin is a freshman at a 2-year SUNY college with plans to pursue a 4-year degree. Kevin credits FYI with not only getting him through the college application process but, most importantly, with being here to support and guide him through crucial make-or-break transitions in his life.
Fiscal Year '14 Fiscal Year '13ASSETS
Cash & Cash Equivalents $108,574 $112,019 Investments $162,990 $164,615
Accounts Rec/Prepaid Exps $32,302 $31,635 Fixed Assets/Other $3,109,216 $3,205,456
Total Assets $3,413,082 $3,513,725 LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses $25,481 $19,461
Total Liabilities $25,481 $19,461 NET ASSETS
Unrestricted $3,235,851 $3,289, 437Temporarily Restricted $0 $53,077
Permanently Restricted $151,750 $151,750
Total Net Assets $3,387,601 $3,494,264 STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES/INCOME
Private Grants & Contributions $652,717 $678,076 Other Revenue $105,903 $113,188
Total Revenue & Support $758,620 $791,264 EXPENSES
Program Expenses $649,765 $571,357 Management & General $40,610 $83,005
Fund Raising $121,831 $181,074
Total Expenses $812,206 $835,436 Operating Income (Deficit) ($53,586) ($44,172)
Building Depreciation $102,408 $100,636
FY2014 RevenueGovernment $84,254.00 Foundations $451,894.00 Individuals $155,077.00 Corporations $45,746.00 Other $1,862.00 Investments $19,787.00
TOTAL $758,620.00
FY2014 ExpensesBuilding depreciation $102,408.00 Program services $570,157.00 Supporting services $139,641.00
TOTAL $812,206.00
Financials
80¢ of every dollar goes to program expenses
Our Friends & SupportersAbram & Ray Kaplan Foundation
The Allman Brothers Band and Live NationAmerican Express Charitable Fund
Anonymous (5) AT&T Foundation
Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable TrustBarham Family Foundation
Barker Welfare FoundationThe Robert Bowne Foundation
The Bulova-Stetson FundCamp Scatico
ConEdisonThe Daphne Foundation
Direct Access Group BenefitsElephant Rock Foundation
The Elkes FoundationEthical Culture Fieldston School
Fort Washington Collegiate ChurchThe Charles A. Frueauff Foundation
Clara & Kurt Hellmuth FoundationIsabella Geriatric Center
KEB Pest Control, LLCThe Stephen and May Cavin Leeman Foundation
The Margaret & Daniel Loeb — Third Point Foundation Marble Collegiate Church
Marshall & Sterling — New WindsorMedical Center Neighborhood Fund
Metzger-Price FundThe New York Community Trust
NY Presbyterian Hospital PASE — Partnership for Afterschool Education
Public Allies New YorkAnn & Richard Sarnoff Family Foundation
Jean L. and Robet A. Stern FoundationTransCanada Corporation
United Way of NYC Community Grant ProgramUnited Way of Central Ohio
United Way of Columbus OhioYouth, I.N.C.
Emergency Food & Shelter National Board ProgramManhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
NYC Council Member Robert JacksonNYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
NYC Dept. for the AgingNYC DYCD — OST Program
NYC DYCD — SYEP Program NYS Dept. of Health — CACFP
NYS Dept. of Health — HPNAPUS Dept. of Agriculture — TEFAP
Our Community PartnersAmistad Dual Language School
City HarvestColumbia University Institute of Human Nutrition
Columbia University Medical CenterHebrew Tabernacle Congregation of Washington Hts.
Heights TavernHigh Bridge Reformed Church, NJ
Hudson Cliffs School PS/IS 187 ManhattanLakeside Baptist Church, Rocky Mount NC
PIMCO FoundationUnited Palace Cathedral Golden Youth Ministry
Board of Directors FY2014Edward Lehmann – Chair
Vice President, Citi Hedge Fund Services NA
Lewis Schiff – Vice-ChairExecutive Director, Inc. Magazine’s Business Owners
Council
Steven Elkes – TreasurerTrustee, Elkes Foundation
Rebecca Sale – SecretaryDirector, Academic Programs & Special Projects, Dept. of
Health Policy & Management, Columbia University
Amit JainDirector, Wells Fargo Securities
Gary KreissmanFounder, Group PRM
Hal MaloneVice President, Jefferies & Company
Glenn PaganVice President, Sales, Idomoo, Inc.
Thank You!
Our Mission
To engage youth in positive, community-building activities while guiding and supporting them through adolescence.
505 W 171st Street • New York, NY 10032(212) 781-1113 • www.freshyouth.orgTax ID # 13-3723207