Helping Neighbors within Our Community 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
letter FROM Jason Dilger Thirty-five years ago, a few local churches followed God s call to form a new community outreach ministry in Colorado Springs. The goal was simple: to promote self-sufficiency by providing disadvantaged individuals and families with resources and prayer. Mercy s Gate Ministry is the fruit of this faithfulness. We have expanded our reach to the entirety of El Paso County, and through God s provision we have developed partnerships with local churches, community organizations and volunteers. We ve also been blessed with a small staff to faithfully oversee day-to-day administration. God has done more than we could have asked or imagined for those in need in our community. I d like to share a few instances of God s faithfulness in 2017: In 2017, Mercy s Gate Ministry blessed residents of El Paso County with $1,252,374 in total aid. Cost-of-living in Colorado Springs has risen dramatically over the past ten years and the city continues to grow. This places a serious financial burden on low-income families. 2580 individuals received help covering basic household costs through utilities assistance and housing aid. In particular, 77 households received housing assistance through our Home for the Holidays initiative, which strives to help all through the month of December. Our Vita Tax program guides busy neighbors through our nation s complicated tax code. This year, our consultations helped 1491 workers file their taxes accurately and on time. The food pantry opened its doors for an additional day of service per week, which meant a record 12,785 hungry people received access to healthy, substantial meals. Along with physical needs, Mercy s Gate Ministry is committed to meeting the spiritual needs of those we serve. Every time a visitor walks through our door, they have the opportunity to sit and pray with one of our volunteers. On average, our volunteer team prayed with 363 neighbors per month. Through these conversations and other interactions, roughly 192 individuals invited Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior in 2017. God was faithful in 1982. God was faithful in 2017. And we are confident God will continue to support Mercy s Gate Ministry through contributions, donations, and partnerships. We do not do this work alone, but by the power of Christ working through a remarkable group of churches, individuals, volunteers, staff and community partners like you. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to all that is to come. On we go in Christ, Jason Dilger Executive Director 2017 MERCY S GATE ANNUAL REPORT
Mercy's Gate 2017 Financial Statement of Activities INCOME Churches Individuals Grants Home for the Holidays Special Offerings Other In Kind Donations TOTAL INCOME $ 141,612 157,448 137,933 34,900 21,620 12,670 972,947 $ 1,479,130 EXPENSES Homelessness Prevention Health & Food Security Seasonal Programs Compassion Services Everyday Essentials $ 298,420 498,214 354,664 49,810 51,266 $ 1,252,374 General & Administrative Fundraising TOTAL EXPENSES $ 131,456 57,983 $ 1,441,813 $ 37,317 NET INCOME To see Mercy s Gate Ministry full financial statements and Form 990, please go to MercysGateCS.org/about-us/financials So much respect for Mercy s Gate. They helped me in the greatest time of need. Thanks to them I could keep my electricity on. So much love and compassion for the community. Thank you so much for all you did for me and my child. So as a single mother it s very tough being on your own, but grateful for people like this. Renee 2017 MERCY S GATE ANNUAL REPORT 2 2017 Ministry Summary homelessness prevention 21% food security & health 34% seasonal programs 25% COMPASSION SERVICES 3% everyday essentials 4% ADMIN & FUNDRAISING 13% In 2017, Mercy s Gate Ministry used 87% of every dollar to directly serve individuals and families all around El Paso County.
From the bottom of my heart I can t thank you all enough for your extremely generous assistance today with my utilities and for praying for me and the things I am going through. I will never forget today and the difference you made in my life. I was consumed with worry but you put me at ease. Thank you all again and may God Bless You All! Amy Community Impact Ministry highlights in 201 7 572 households were able to keep the lights on and the water running through our utilities assistance program. Over 578 residents kept roofs over their heads with our housing assistance program. Our food pantry served over 12,780 hungry individuals. 525 people stayed healthy through our medical consultation service, which provided dental, copay, vision and prescription assistance. Our Vita Tax program helped our community save $1.9 million in tax refunds. 612 children received new backpacks and school supplies through our Back to School event. Last Thanksgiving, volunteers prepared 660 meal baskets for local families and individuals in need. Mercy s Gate allocated $49,810 toward our Crisis Center, which serves hundreds of residents every week. The Crisis Center offers access to services, referrals, and prayer. Sometimes all a person needs is an empathetic conversation over a cup of coffee. 1052 people received clothing vouchers and new winter coats. Over 600 commuters received assistance through bus tokens and gas vouchers. 2017 MERCY S GATE ANNUAL REPORT 3
Leadership and Good Governance With Christ s love as our mission and God s provision as the source of all we have, Mercy s Gate Ministry remains committed to sound stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. Board of directors Jeanne Conder, Chair Vice President, Discover Goodwill Foundation Ron Kolakowski, Vice Chair Retired Rob Schmidt, Treasurer Vice President, Commercial Banking, Vectra Bank Colorado Mark Tuggle, Secretary Executive Vice President & Chief Learning Officer, Lideranca Group, Inc. jason dilger Executive Director, Mercy s Gate Ministry Doug Dirksen Financial Planner, Edward Jones Mike McNeill Rocky Mountain Regional Missionary John Serio Pastor, The Springs Journey Church In a time when I was lost and scared in a foreign state and town they were there to give me hope and help me find out who Jesus really is... I thank them so much and I know I ll never be able to show how grateful I am through words I hope they all know they saved my life that day. Junior 2017 MERCY S GATE ANNUAL REPORT 4