Director's Letter
September, 2009
Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that we have finished two months of FY '10 as Jamal Place is still recovering from FY 09. It was an interesting clinical and financial year. There is an in depth article about the challenges the group home faced as performance based contracting (PBC) requirements were implemented beginning in July, 2008. While the data measured by PBC indicates a poor performance year, the data does not capture the positive outcomes our group home achieved:
- One group home boy returned to his mother's care and another returning to his former foster placement
- Three boys successfully stepped down to transitional living care
- Two boys (who had been spiraling downward) getting their act together and changing their antisocial activities because of the boundaries established by the group home staff
- Two newer residents with criminal juvenile records making pro-social gains because of relationships established with the group home staff members.
- Four boys graduating from the eighth grade
- Completing community service by volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository to benefit local food pantries
- Successfully participating in the "Green Teens" Energy Project
Our Transitional Living program had its best year yet regarding its youth outcomes. Nineteen young men crossed our TLP threshold in FY '09. The TLP residents have done well. I have averaged the Chicago Public School graduation rates for high schools within a five mile radius of our transitional living program. (http://research.cps.k12.il.us ) The most recent data from CPS indicates that in 2008, the overall average graduation rate for the seven public high schools in our area was 45%. The high school graduation rate for TLP program participants was 78% (seven of nine eligible youth) this past school year. There were 11 students enrolled in high school this past school year. Eight of these students attended school (73%) while three young men dropped out of school (27%). The drop out rate for public schools in our area is 51%. We are still encouraging those who are not attending to return to school. Ten residents held jobs during the year (53%) and five youth attended Chicago Community Colleges (26%).
In FY 2009, 10 young men stepped down to an independent living program, or emancipated from state care. All have remained in contact with our Jamal Place staff members. They call, visit and attend our events. This speaks volumes about the relationships Jamal Place staff members make with the residents. I could not feel more proud of the efforts my staff members make to connect with kids who are reluctant to trust adults.
Financially, Jamal Place is surviving the great budget drama-but it is a close call. As the state monitors performance, it would be great if they also monitored the funding given to agencies caring for the state's most disturbed kids. Over a ten year period, Jamal Place (and all child welfare agencies in Illinois) have received only two cost of living adjustment to its contracts. Had the state kept up with its requirement to pay for its own identified "allowable costs of care", Jamal Place would have received an additional $714,000. Instead, virtually every fundraising dollar we raise goes to close to pay for expenses which are the responsibility of the state. At a time when our kids' needs are so great, we have sidelined many of the program enhancements which heal or boys' "hurts" and strengthen our residents' skills. Thank goodness for the generous donors who have pulled our young agency out of the financial fires of the past decade!
Jamal Place has a number of fundraising activities on the immediate horizon. I hope you will join us at the River East Art Center on Saturday, October 3, 2009 for our annual benefit reception and silent auction. We moved our annual event to the fall to ensure better weather opportunities and to maximize end of year tax benefits for contributions made to the agency. On Wednesday, October 14, 2009, we will host our second "meet and greet" at Vines on Clark. One hundred percent of the $10 door donation is returned to Jamal Place. This is a reasonably priced event for our young supporters! Lastly, two amazing young women are running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for Jamal Place. They are Kristen Owens and Sonya Browley. If you want to pledge your support for these athletes go to: www.Firstgivng.com. Jamal Place staff members and kids will volunteer on the day of the marathon as part of our "giveback" for Kristen and Sonya's participation. Come on down on Sunday, 10/11/09 to the charity block on Adams and cheer these ladies on!
While we have been busy, we are never too busy to thank you for your amazing support. Please continue to keep our boys and our mission in your prayers. Your faith in our work has made a great difference in many lives-we are most grateful for your generosity and support. I wish you as many blessings as you have shared with us!
Have a safe and happy fall season.
Sincerely,
Ann G. Deuel