2013 Annual Report

And this issue leaves no corner of our city untouched—
affecting individuals, families, children, businesses and the
community as a whole. It is increasingly
difficult for people to advance out of poverty.
We need a systematic solution.
CITYLINK CENTER LAUNCHED IN 2013.
THIS IS OUR STORY.
Individuals earning less than $10,890/yr, or families of 4 earning less than $22,350/yr.
— U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, 2011
Source: NewYorker.com blogger John Cassidy, “Social Mobility Hasn’t Fallen, What it Means and Doesn’t Mean,” 2014
CITYLINK:
PARTNERSHIP IN
ACTION
CityLink’s model is based on
a true community partnership
to address a pressing
community issue: poverty.
“The collaborative partnership at
CityLink allows Changing Gears
to focus on our mission of getting
cars ready for clients. We know our
clients are actively moving towards
self-sufficiency through their
engagement at CityLink, and they are
ready to successfully take on vehicle
ownership through their training
and education with SmartMoney.”
The Holistic Client
Experience at CityLink
Employment Assistance
Counseling
Legal
Our foundation is the social
Financial
Transportation
Education
services who have banded
together—realizing that each
Parenting Skill
service delivered in a holistic
Spiritual
Development
context can have a magnified
impact. By working together,
Childcare
Health & Wellness
each agency thrives in their
Education
core competency while having
the confidence that client’s needs in other areas will be addressed
by another partner’s expertise. So, clients enter one location
and create one plan which leverages the expertise of various
agencies—and we create a simplified path for the complex
journey towards life transformation.
Under One Roof: Resident Partners
CityLink is an integration of onsite social service partners, professionals and
trained volunteers. Resident Partners have a full time presence at the Center.
Employment
Assistance
Financial
Education
Education
Transportation
DONATE
YOUR
USED
VEHICLE WE
FIX
IT
UP
AND SELL
IT TO A
DESERVING
CLIENT
DID YOU KNOW?
1. It’s free and easy to
donate your vehicle.
2. ChangingGears takes any
vehicle in any condition.
CHANGING-GEARS.ORG
3. It’s a win-win situation for
.
– JOEL BOKELMAN, PRESIDENT, CHANGING GEARS
“My clients experience better results when counseling services are offered in conjunction
with other services. The counseling relationship becomes more comprehensive.
While addressing emotional and mental challenges, I can engage in a conversation with
clients about the very practical challenges and successes that they are experiencing in
other parts of their life.” —BRIAN SPEARS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES COUNSELOR
Visiting Partners
Offer onsite services to meet demand whether daily, weekly or monthly.
REAL LIVES. REAL IMPACT.
Poverty is a deep and complex issue which requires a holistic
approach and deep community engagement.
S T O R I E S O F I M PA C T
CityLink not only brings together social services in a powerful
new context, but also creates a platform for broad volunteer
engagement. In our first year of operation, 489 volunteers served
in 28 different roles, all impacting our clients’ lives. Through this
engagement, volunteers and clients learned from one another,
transforming two lives at a time.
safe place to be. It’s the whole positive
influence here that makes me feel like I
can make it.” –AARON W.
The CityLink Process
CLIENT “CityLink has just been a calm,
VOLUNTEER “If
I am about anything, it is about
developing relationships. Over and over, as I
worked with clients who diligently and often
wearily searched for work that would sustain
and move them forward, I received blessings
from them. It speaks to me of God’s desire
for each of us when I feel encouraged and
blessed by the clients. I serve at CityLink
because it gives me joy and the sense when
I am there that I’m in the midst of what a life
is supposed to be about. Through interaction
with the clients and staff, I receive God’s love
and blessing. There is a lot of love flowing all
around that place!” –MARY P.
VOLUNTEER “I
believe that a simple gift we can
give everyone, but especially those who are
struggling with poverty, is the gift of self-worth.
By truly listening to a client, showing a sincere
interest and trying to put them first during our
interaction goes a long way to build into their
self-worth. To be able to do this is very fulfilling
for me.” –JEFF M.
CLIENT “Cincinnati needs a place like
this. I’ve been through a lot of public
programs and it’s just not the same.
[CityLink] is just so well-rounded…I just
really feel like the people I interact with
here are good people and I’ve never
found that anywhere else. God bless you
for doing this…and for believing in us as
people. We don’t come from the best
situations, but we have a lot to offer as
well.” –JEMIAH C.
Join us and write your own
CityLink story.
In 2013, CityLink was fueled and funded by 19 churches,
489 volunteers and 144 organizations and individuals.
We need everyone to get off the bench and into the
game to impact our community. Join us and others who
are rolling up their sleeves and joining our clients on
their journey to realizing their full potential.
Join us in funding CityLink Center
CityLink is privately funded by the generosity of individuals,
corporations, foundations and churches. Your donation helps fuel the life
and community transformation at the Center.
“Greater Cincinnati Foundation is proud to support the CityLink Center.
Its work is consistent with our goals to help people thrive and to help
create a more prosperous Greater Cincinnati.”
– ROBERT KILLINS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, GREATER CINCINNATI FOUNDATION
Join us in volunteering at CityLink Center
Volunteering is flexible and it’s easy to engage and make an impact
at CityLink. With 28 roles, from auto repair to childcare, teaching to
tutoring, Welcome Center to facilities, there is something for you.
“I volunteer at CityLink because the Lord showed me my poverty of spirit
thru opening my eyes to someone in physical poverty. It is a blessing
to be part of CityLink where people have a safe place, a place full
of grace, and a place to nurture hope! My biggest personal lessons at
CityLink are humility and friendship. Still learning in both of those areas!”
–DEBBIE DEMUTH, CITYLINK VOLUNTEER
Join Churches fueling CityLink Center
In our first year of operation, 19 churches joined to partner in serving
our city. These churches fuel our work through sending clients, prayer,
funds and volunteers to the Center.
“We believe this faith-based approach to addressing the issue of poverty
is exactly what Christ intended for the Church to be doing. CityLink
ministers to the whole person with their integrated approach. Our
church supports CityLink because we believe in the “Collective Kingdom
Approach.” While we will continue to provide emergency assistance to
those who are in need, we refer people to CityLink Center for a holistic
approach to meeting their long term needs.”
–GENE ELLINGTON, PASTOR, CONSOLATION BAPTIST CHURCH
www.citylinkcenter.org
WHAT IT TAKES
TO RUN A CENTER
Our annual budget revolves around our mission to co-locate social services
in one building, integrate those services for a high-impact client experience,
and mobilize a sustainable volunteer force—all in a facility where people feel
empowered and proud to engage.
Annual Operating Expenses:
$1.322MM
We use a professional staff to oversee operations, coordinate services and
engage large numbers of volunteers. By using a well-trained volunteer force,
we significantly minimize staff expenses while maximizing impact. In our first
year of operation, volunteers served over 15,000 hours, adding 50% additional
capacity to the staff.
In 2013, the total operating expenses were $1.322 million versus an anticipated
budget of $1.47 million. The team was able to drive savings through
negotiating favorable contracts, securing in-kind contributions, and experienced
lower than anticipated facility maintenance cost due to coverage from our
1-year construction warranty. This total excludes non-cash accrual expenses of
rent from CityLink Center to CityLink Holding Corporation and excludes in-kind
services totaling $121,391.
$183K
Admin
$710K
Client Services
$429K
Facility Operations
A LETTER FROM THE
CITYLINK STAFF
Any important journey begins with prayer and a plan but at some point, you have to
take the first step. I recently heard someone say, “If you wait for absolute certainty,
you will never make a move in life.” We are grateful to be in a community that
supports taking bold first steps.
CityLink Center was built to adapt a proven national model within our local
context. By co-locating a great set of partners and engaging support from the faith
community, we’re taking on the massive issue of poverty in our city. We believe that
by creating a co-located and integrated site for service delivery, we will provide
an infrastructure to help clients transform their lives. We believe that a large scale
approach is needed and provides the infrastructure for mass volunteer engagement.
We believe that by bringing together clients and volunteers side by side, two lives
transform in the process, which leads to further community transformation.
*Audited financials from previous years are available by request to info@citylinkcenter.org.
We have been blessed in our first year to see CityLink’s vision become a reality and to
see the seeds of hope in the lives of our clients. During our first year of operation, 497
clients took their own first bold step to actively engage in the Center. Clients come
to us from a wide variety of neighborhoods, ages and backgrounds, but most have
faced serious adversity and seen previous hope and support fade away. Their bold
step to re-engage with hope for a better path constantly inspires us.
A LEVERAGED MODEL FOR
SOCIAL IMPACT
CityLink Center seeks to add incremental value to the region’s effort to transform
the lives of those in poverty. In addition to the benefits that the model offers
clients, it offers a cost effective approach to service delivery for the program
partners through:
Colocation:
-Partners share common spaces, utilities and facility cost.
-Partners are able to focus on core competency of service delivery, operating in confidence
that clients’ additional needs are being addressed by other on-site partners, increasing
total success rates.
Integration:
-Front end client services (screening, orientation, and goal session) are performed by
CityLink, resulting in qualified candidates for service providers.
-Partners are the resident experts in their field, alleviating the need for CityLink to develop
expertise in service delivery areas.
Volunteer Mobilization:
Volunteers are recruited, trained, deployed and supported throughout the partner services
by CityLink offering economy of scale and efficiencies. In our first year, 489 volunteers
served over 15,000 hours, bringing capacity and compassion to the work.
On the following pages, you will see some of our statistics. Each one of those
represents a story—a life that was created with great purpose and is rediscovering
that purpose within our walls. We are privileged and blessed that God has called us
to do this work and it would not be possible without the support of our community.
We see hope in an adult learning to read. We see hope in a 72-year-old woman never
giving up and earning her GED. We see hope in a young woman exploring her faith.
We see hope in a mother obtaining a job and providing for her children. We see
hope in a father saving for a vehicle so he has less time commuting and more time for
his son. Join us in nurturing and caring for these seeds of hope which are sprouting in
our community.
JAN
YEAR
AT A
GLANCE
497
VOLUNTEERS
engaged in the first year
of CityLink
28
ROLES
Engaged with partners throughout
the center
160
Full launch of
center with
supporting
services
ShiftBoard
launched to
manage ongoing volunteer
engagement
2013
SEEDS
OF HOPE
APRIL
FEB
Super Tax Saturday helped clients
complete tax preparation
Bible Study and Counseling launched
to build clients relationships with God
MAR
Community Garden launched where
clients and volunteers learn to grow
fresh vegetables
CHURCHES
Volunteers came
from over
220
15,000+
EMPLOYERS
Garden to Table cooking
provided a healthy communal
meal for the center
Monthly Volunteer Orientation
introduced 38 new volunteers;
299 YTD
Spiritual Advisory Council
met to discuss connecting
churches with the center
for holistic care
SEPT
OCT
NOV
GO Cincinnati beautified the center
Changing Gears Grand Opening
126
STUDENTS
engaged in GED program; 14
students graduated with their
GED through CPS ABLE
49
181
1st annual MashUp shares the CityLink story, great
food & drink to a sold-out crowd
Citywide faith journey provided platform for clients
& volunteers to explore faith
1st client car sale completed for Changing Gears
JUNE
Client Advisory Council launched
to provide feedback and insights
to improve the Center
118
INDIVIDUALS
gained employment; 61 individuals
sought better employment with
Cincinnati Works advancement
STUDENTS
met with EOC counselors to
determine post-secondary pathway
1,000th Client attends info session
7th annual Party for a Purpose raised funds and
awareness for CityLink
10,000th volunteer
hour served
University Miami continuous improvement
project launched to streamline processes
The volunteer base
represented over
48
197
AUG
CLIENTS
completed Cincinnati Works
Job Readiness Workshop
(98.6% graduation rate)
MAY
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS
per week
JULY
DEC
CityLink hosted the Journey Prayer
Experience; over 7,500 visit CityLink
Garden to Table Thanksgiving
CLIENTS
enlisted in counseling with
Catholic Charities
73
CLIENTS
participated in SmartMoney
one-on-one financial counseling
Holiday Photo Shoot
gave lasting family photo
to clients
Health & Wellness pilot
provides vision and
dental screenings for
clients
10
CLIENTS
completed workshops and Vehicle
Purchase through Changing Gears
69
WOMEN
signed up for workshops and peer
counseling with Eve Center
HOURS
Volunteers served in our first
year of operation
Study Tables launched to help students
advance academically between classes
Clothing Connection partnership with St
Vincent DePaul launched to outfit job seekers
62
CLIENTS
explored faith through Bible
study; 30 clients learned and
practiced prayer
THANK YOU, CINCIN NATI.
Resident Partners
Visiting Partners
Church Partners
Cincinnati Works: assists willing and
capable people in achieving economic
self-sufficiency through employment
SmartMoney: provides individuals with
comprehensive financial services and
economic education programs resulting
in financial independence
Cincinnati Public Schools: assists adults
in upgrading their academic skills to
attain their GED and prepare for college
ChangingGears: provides an opportunity
for empowerment through access to
affordable private transportation
4C for Children: connects clients with
ongoing quality childcare
Beech Acres: strengthens parents
through education and coaching
Catholic Charities: professional
counseling to develop life
management skills
Cincinnati State: provides information
and assistance for qualified adults who
want to enter or continue a program of
post secondary education.
Eve Center: individual and group peer
counseling for women
Freestore Foodbank: helps individuals
access available programs
to stabilize their household
St. Vincent de Paul: assists clients with
professional attire and immediate needs
Community Action Agency: provides
utility assistance to clients in need
Bright Star Baptist (West End)
Christ Emmanuel Christian Fellowship
(Walnut Hills)
Church of the Living God (Avondale)
College Hill Presbyterian (College Hill)
Compass Community Church
(Forest Park)
Consolation Baptist (Mt. Auburn)
Corinthian Baptist Church (Avondale)
Crossroads (Florence, Mason, Oakley &
West Side neighborhoods)
Horizon Community Church (Newtown)
Landmark Baptist (Woodlawn/Reading)
Mariemont Community Church
(Mariemont)
Corporations and Foundations
Montgomery Community Church
(Symmes Township)
New Life Temple (Madisonville)
Northminster Church (Finneytown)
Peoples Church (Corryville)
Revelation Baptist Church (West End)
River of Life (Over The Rhine)
Tryed Stone New Beginning (Bond Hill)
Zion Bethel Missionary Temple (West)
Major Contributors
AmeriCorps VISTA
Anonymous Foundation
George B. Riley Trust
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Brad Johansen Golf Outing
& Party for a Purpose
Interact for Health
OneSight (Luxottica)
Jacob Schmiddlapp Trust
of the Fifth Third Foundation
John A. Schroth Charitable Trust,
PNC Bank Trustee
Penn Station, INC.
Procter & Gamble Fund of the
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
OneCity Foundation
Thomas J. Emery Memorial
Construction Process Solutions
Dell, Your Cause
Frost, Brown, Todd, LLC
Gallagher SKS
Healing Touch Wellness & Chiropractic LLC
HealthPath Foundation
Kroger Community Rewards
Magnified Giving
Martin and Associates
Mayerson Foundation
Nehemiah Manufacturing Company
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
North America, Inc.
U.S. Bank
Photos from the 1st Annual 2013 MashUp
Fundraiser at CityLink Center
C I TY LI NK EX EC UTIVE DIR E CTOR
Johnmark Oudersluys
C I TY LI NK B O A R D ME MBE R S
Addison Lanier
Deborah Lydon
John Grooms
Kirk Perry
Mark Stecher
Scott Phillips
Tim Senff
800 Bank Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45214
513-357-2000 citylinkcenter.org
WORKING TOGETHER.
REDUCING POVERTY.
CHANGING LIVES.