Experiential Content: We bring content that takes into account cultural and generational. Catalytic Relationships: We develop trusting relationships

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April Taylor
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1 Family Bridges Annual Report 2016

Earlier this year, a judge granted a couple we worked with full custody of their four children after several months of separation.

I've worked with foster care kids in the past, and the tears I've witnessed as they work through the chaos in their lives is one reason I work tirelessly every day to prevent children from feeling

Martha and Jose were court mandated to attend parenting classes and couples counseling as a result of their kids being in custody of DCS in Phoenix.

After three months of classes and counseling, the couple gained unsupervised visits.

2 Earlier this year, a judge granted a couple we worked with full custody of their four children after several months of separation. Can you imagine the pain of both the children and parents alike from being pulled away from their home? I've worked with foster care kids in the past, and the tears I've witnessed as they work through the chaos in their lives is one reason I work tirelessly every day to prevent children from feeling the pain of abuse or the stress that comes from a house rife with tension. What can we do to strengthen families so that children can flourish? Martha and Jose were court mandated to attend parenting classes and couples counseling as a result of their kids being in custody of DCS in Phoenix. They came to Iglesias Monte Vista for workshops, where Family Bridges connected them to a local social service agency that provided them with weekly support. After three months of classes and counseling, the couple gained unsupervised visits. Six months later the judge told them that they were very committed to be better parents and released custody of two of their children. They are very thankful to God, to the church and to Family Bridges for being instrumental in helping them to facilitate their growth, which in turn, meant they could embrace their children again. There are 18,000 children in Foster Care in Phoenix. Once in the system, many children age out, with many of them lacking viable work skills and facing a myriad of mental health problems that put them on a trajectory of generational poverty. This year, alongside our ongoing work in Chicago, Family Bridges expanded in three new markets: Arizona, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico. We have focused on distressed communities where poverty increases the risk of child abuse, dropping out of high school, and juvenile delinquency. We continued to provide marriage enrichment content reaching regions in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Cuba. Families are plagued with problems ranging from health, housing, to the break down of relationships. We have an urgent calling to work tenaciously with local providers to alleviate the stressors that hold people back. Family Bridges helps couples strengthen their marriage, helps single parents build practical conflict-resolution skills, and helps local providers supply social work and other wrap-around services where it is needed. By working together, we help families stay together to fulfill our vision of strong families with purpose driven children, who are leaders of their generation and committed to their communities.

Experiential Content: We bring content that takes into account cultural and generational context; leveraging multimedia,

In the following pages, for example, you ll see a glimpse of our off-broadway Theatre Event, Los Secretos de Santa Monica,

a family message within a cultural context.

who, in turn, are activated by gratitude to volunteer and be part of the solution.

stakeholders and partner closely with existing providers on the ground, many of whom become affiliates who run Family

3 Experiential Content: We bring content that takes into account cultural and generational context; leveraging multimedia, the arts, and engaging workshops. In the following pages, for example, you ll see a glimpse of our off-broadway Theatre Event, Los Secretos de Santa Monica, where approximately 8,000 persons attended and where we leveraged the power of story to promote strengthening marriages and a family message within a cultural context. Catalytic Relationships: We develop trusting relationships with our partners on the ground and with couples and families who, in turn, are activated by gratitude to volunteer and be part of the solution. Developing community is a key component of our approach and to do this, we run local focus groups, meet with local stakeholders and partner closely with existing providers on the ground, many of whom become affiliates who run Family Bridges Avance Chapters in the community. Enpowering Hearts: We bring a message of hope that comes to people where they are, which means that we coordinate workshops at the neighborhood school, church, or business. As you can see in the report below, the expansive outreach by Family Bridges makes a real difference in the lives of children and communities.

4 Strengthened the economic mobility of families through financial workshops, our microenterprise program and employment program. Also kept families together through relationships education. 29,146 People Served 187% Growth Average Of 112,584 Impacted Children 64% Of Micro-Enterprise Program Graduates Employed At The Programs End. 75,886 Direct Programs

5 9,712 Hours Mobilized 146 Volunteers Reached under-served communities in Phoenix, $ 228,919 Chicago and Wisconsin through partnerships with Avance Institutes 15 affiliates.

6 Engaged 8,000 Persons Through Live Theatre, Los Secretos De Santa Monica 600 Radio Stations 195 Episodes 25 Countries 195 Blogs Engaged audiences worldwide by bringing stories of hope to life.

We also have the Transparent Certification by Excellence in Giving.

7 Family Bridges operated on just over $3.8 million dollars in 2016 from grants, fees for service and private donations. Family Bridges is a nonprofit 501(c)3 in good standing. We are a GuideStar Platinum Participant and have their Seal of Transpar- ency. We also have the Transparent Certification by Excellence in Giving. We undergo an annual financial audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant. You can download our 990 form at familybridgesusa.org. 86% Program Services 9% Fundraising 5% Management & General Family Bridges savvy for developing dynamic partnerships reduces overhead and makes every dollar count.

8 familybridgesusa.org

Vision. Mission. Hopelink s Values. Introduction. A community free of poverty

Vision. Mission. Hopelink s Values. Introduction. A community free of poverty Vision A community free of poverty Mission Hopelink s mission is to promote self-sufficiency for all members of our community; we help people make lasting change. Hopelink s Values Growth and Human Potential