OP Annual Report 2015: Meeting New Opportunities

Fiscal Year 2015 Operation Pathways Annual Report: Meeting New Opportunities

Meeting New Opportunities

FISCAL YEAR 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

MISSION Operation Pathways provides and coordinates place-based programs and services for residents in affordable housing communities to increase quality of life.

VISION Vibrant housing communities where residents are engaged, empowered, and supported to live to their fullest potential.

MEETING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

IN 2015, OPERATION PATHWAYS made the transition from a division of The NHP Foundation (NHPF) to an independent not-for-profit corporation and NHPF affiliate. Holding a leadership position in both companies, I have had a unique vantage point to watch these carefully made plans unfold. From the NHPF perspective, this corporate restructuring has provided a perfect vehicle for reinforcing our shared commitment to service-enriched affordable housing. While we have worked hard to meet this opportunity to make Operation Pathways an independent organization, service delivery remained seamless and our residents continued to benefit from a wide variety of programs. This was evident as I visited with Brighten Up summer campers, adults improving their health through our Oldways cooking classes, and seniors learning how to save more and protect their finances from fraud. None of Operation Pathways’ 2015 accomplishments would be possible without our dedicated staff, generous national and local partners and funders, committed volunteers, and the residents who look to our programs to enhance the quality of their lives. You will meet some of those residents in this annual report. We owe all of you a debt of gratitude for the vital roles you have played in this transition, and for that you have my sincere thanks. In meeting new opportunities, Operation Pathways is changing and evolving, but service-enriched affordable housing remains the vibrantly beating heart of what we do. I hope that you enjoy this look back at our successes and continue to be engaged as we write the next chapters of the Operation Pathways story.

Richard F. Burns President, Operation Pathways, Inc. President & CEO, The NHP Foundation

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EMBRACING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

JUST LIKE MS. HUNTER, whose personal journey is highlighted to the right, Operation Pathways embraced new opportunities in 2015. In order to keep up with the demand for service-enriched affordable housing and ensure our programs and services remain among the best in the industry, Operation Pathways pursued a strategic agenda to build our organizational infrastructure and capacity. In January, we began implementing a plan to create a new organizational structure that would allow us to grow with the industry. This plan included: •  Creating a separate entity from NHPF and becoming an affiliate of the organization; •  Forming a management team to guide the organization: the team consists of an executive director, a deputy director, a programs director, a resource development manager, and a data and outcomes manager; •  Developing a new resident services guidebook with policies and procedures; •  Re-investing in database development and management; •  Re-focusing our resource development efforts to local initiatives; and •  Building our new brand and creating a web presence Operation Pathways remains closely affiliated with NHPF, and NHPF remains committed to bringing programs and services to the residents of its properties. Our leadership team has increased Operation Pathways’ capacity to support our site-based staff, ensuring positive outcomes and resident satisfaction. We look forward to the future, confident in our ability to expand our position in the ever-growing industry of service-enriched affordable housing. Without the support of our stakeholders, Operation Pathways would not have had the resources to enhance our capacity this year. As always, we are grateful for the many service providers, foundations, businesses and corporations, government agencies, and individuals we consider our valued stakeholders. My thanks to all of them for helping us meet new opportunities in 2015 and beyond.

MEET MS. HUNTER

Ms. Hunter grabbed her phone to call the resident services coordinator in her building. She was so relieved that Kim was there to answer. Ms. Hunter described the pain and tightness she felt in her chest, fearing she was having a heart attack. “Ms. Hunter. I’m going to hang up the phone right now and call 9-1-1 for you, and then I’ll be right up. Are you able to unlock your door?” Kim did just as she promised Ms. Hunter she would, and then stayed with her until the paramedics arrived. Ms. Hunter had lived in the building for several years but seldom participated in any of the Operation Pathways programs and services. Now, she was about to spend the next several days in a hospital, followed by many months in rehab. Her sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet had indeed led her to coronary heart disease. Fortunately, Ms. Hunter was ready to turn this health challenge into a wellness opportunity, and Operation Pathways was there to help. Ms. Hunter has become a regular participant in the Pathway to Healthier Living programs and services. With Kim’s encouragement, Ms. Hunter is taking full advantage of the brand new fitness center’s exercise classes, nutrition workshops, and health screenings. The yoga and cooking classes are her favorites. She is proud to be making healthier choices for her family too. Grocery shopping now includes reading food labels for nutritional information and buying fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kenneth D. White Executive Director

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MEASURABLE RESULTS

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community centers open for residents’ use

5,040 10,784

individuals served

hours of programs and services delivered

7,525

volunteer hours enhanced our work

785

 collaborating organizations

$74,899

w orth of in-kind donations optimized delivery of programs and services

PATHWAY TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT 382

children participated in Brighten Up afterschool program and summer camp

PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY 1,134

individuals participated in financial education programming individuals participated in workforce development programming

398

PATHWAY TO HEALTHIER LIVING 1,135

individuals participated in health and wellness programs individuals participated in physical fitness classes

879

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A LOOK BACK AT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF 2015

JANUARY We’re Incorporated

MAY Eating Right With Oldways Our partnership with Oldways grew in 2015 with a ten-city pilot of their expanded A Taste of African Heritage program. This popular cooking program teaches nutrition while exploring cultural heritage.

SEPTEMBER Let’s Get Walking

Operation Pathways, Inc. filed its corporate charter and received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. We are now an official affiliate of NHPF.

Through a new partnership with GirlTrek, we found new ways to encourage residents to embrace a healthier lifestyle through walking. GirlTrek is a health organization focused on African-American women that combines healthful walking, community engagement, and leadership. OCTOBER Building Skills For Better Jobs By October, ten participants had completed the English as a Second Language (ESL) program in 2015. In addition, 37 more reached the first milestone of 12 hours of classroom participation. This course helps our residents build the language skills they need to increase their employability and secure higher wage positions.

FEBRUARY Reaching Savings Goals

JUNE Policy-minded

As part of America Saves Week, we hosted financial education events throughout the month. Many of the participants pledged to plan for their futures by opening savings accounts. In the first three months alone, 66% of those who pledged to save met their savings goal.

We unveiled a new policies and procedures manual during the Operation Pathways annual conference. The manual captures the organizational changes we have made to ensure quality and consistency across all our sites. JULY Our Healthy Hero Tiffany Martinez, our resident services coordinator for Walnut Square and Forest Park apartments, has been honored by the City of New Orleans’ Fit NOLA program as their first Healthy Hero. Tiffany has made outstanding programmatic contributions to the health and wellness of residents for many years, and we’re proud she has received this recognition.

MARCH Welcome to Houston

Cleme Manor in Houston, Texas joined the Operation Pathways family. A full-time service coordinator now offers programs and services to the residents. APRIL Saving Lives A resident services coordinator’s typical day involves helping residents in a variety of ways, but rarely does it include saving a life. A visitor to Ships’ Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts passed out and wasn’t breathing. Pam Livingston, our resident services coordinator, rushed to perform CPR and the man began breathing again while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

NOVEMBER A Fresh Look at The Grove

Renovations were completed at The Grove at Trinity Mills community center. This newly reopened space brings improved functionality and its vibrant look reflects our bold approach to program delivery.

AUGUST Join Us Online

DECEMBER Thanks to Our Supporters

We launched our new website, www.operationpathways.org, to better tell our story and connect with stakeholders. This built on our expansion to Facebook and Twitter, creating multiple platforms to stay connected.

We launched our first year-end fundraising campaign and the results were fantastic. We raised over $16,000 and connected with new and existing supporters. Many thanks for your generous support.

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PATHWAY TO HEALTHIER LIVING

PATHWAY TO HEALTHIER LIVING brings fitness, nutrition, wellness, and health resources and programming to our residents. Low income communities often suffer from lack of access to fresh, healthy foods and limited education on how to make healthy lifestyle choices part of everyday life. Through these programs and services, we’re helping residents make positive changes to improve their overall wellness. With the strong linkage between poor diet and sedentary lifestyle choices and obesity and the associated health conditions, our holistic approach to wellness addresses underlying factors leading to poor health. Making healthy choices helps decrease preventable diseases and injuries, relieving the burden of high healthcare costs that can challenge already struggling families. Through 1,068 hours of health, wellness, and fitness programming, we engaged residents in changing their daily habits and leading healthier lifestyles: 64.6% o f participants increased their intake of fruits and vegetables 58.3% o f participants increased their physical activity 96% o f the participants in our Brighten Up afterschool program improved their score on the President’s Fitness Challenge 67 individuals quit smoking cigarettes 1,257 individuals received free, nutritious meals

MEET LASHANDA

LaShanda is a 34 year-old mother of three. In April, she joined several of the new programs being offered at Cleme Manor in

Houston, Texas. She regularly takes line dancing classes, participates in the Oldways healthy cooking program, and attends workforce development sessions. With her exercise and diet changes, LaShanda lost 30 pounds and began to build her confidence. Using newly learned skills, she started looking for work and quickly found a job. She continues to work with the resident services coordinator on proper budgeting and a savings plan to meet her financial goals.

MEET LYNETTE

Lynnette is a very engaged resident at Forest

Park in New Orleans. One of her favorite

programs is the Oldways: A Taste

of African Heritage Program. She has learned to change her eating habits and tells her neighbors how much better she feels. This year, she became the volunteer sous-chef for the cooking classes. Lynette is also the community council captain and organizes monthly meetings for the community. With these new leadership roles, Lynette’s confidence has grown. Not only has Lynette improved her own health, she now helps others.

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PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY

PATHWAY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY brings financial education and workforce development programing to our residents. Working families face difficult financial tradeoffs on a daily basis and our programs help residents take critical steps in stabilizing their individual financial situation. Budgeting assistance, credit repair services, and savings programs are all ways residents are encouraged to build a stronger financial future. With one in every four families that rent living a paycheck away from homelessness, financial security is a critical concern for our families. We are helping residents by providing access to financial institutions and teaching skills for securing more stable, higher paying employment. Through participation in these programs, residents of all ages are banking and building their savings: 66% of the participants in our America Saves Week workshops who pledged to save went on to open a savings account with a bank and met their savings goal within three months 94% of our teen internship participants opened their first bank account 88% of teen internship participants who completed the program met their savings goal

MEET TOM

Tom, a single father of two daughters, was working two jobs but still unable to make ends meet. Trying to improve his family’s situation, Tom joined the Budgeting 101 workshop at the community center and began to meet regularly with the resident services coordinator. Tom started sticking to a budget and cut his expenses. Tom also engaged his daughters in the process to help the family save by finding coupons and sales. His daughters are learning how to cook healthy meals on a budget at the community center’s cooking and nutrition classes. Now, the whole family is spending more time together as they work toward meeting their financial goals.

MEET BRITTANY AND KENWAN

In 2013, when Brittany and Kenwan first came to the

community center at St. Luke’s Plaza in St. Louis, they were struggling financially. Brittany was working part-time and Kenwan was working odd jobs. They worked with the resident services coordinator to create a plan to find more stable employment, increase their income, and improve their credit scores. Both Brittany and Kenwan landed good jobs with benefits. They continued to work on their goal of becoming homeowners by building credit and paying down debt. In 2015, they enrolled in a down payment assistance program, making it possible for them to buy their first home.

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PATHWAY TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

PATHWAY TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT features educational programs for residents of all ages. In our afterschool and summer programs, we help young residents fight the achievement gap between them and children from higher income families. Lifelong adult learners are offered programs to build their skills and improve their employment prospects. Brighten Up afterschool and summer programs are the heart of our Pathway to Academic Achievement. By fighting the achievement gap and promoting positive youth development, we help participants build brighter futures. Socioeconomically challenged children are over five times more likely to drop out of high school. Children who regularly participate in afterschool programs go to school more, behave better, receive better grades and perform better on tests. Programs like ours are critical in helping children improve their in-school performance and increase their long-term earning potential.

MEET NORMA

Norma participated in the adult ESL courses offered at Stone Ridge in Arlington, Texas. Before starting the ESL

program, Norma spoke very little English. Of particular concern to Norma was that she was not able to talk with her son’s teachers. Now, she happily shares that she is able to speak with them about her son’s educational goals. By speaking English, she can now assist her husband with his clients, building their business to better support their family.

And, we’re showing real results:

70% o f children scoring BELOW grade level in MATH raised their grade level by at least 1.5 77% o f children scoring BELOW grade level in READING raised their grade level by at least 1.5 86% of children showed no sign of summer learning loss in MATH 80% o f children showed no sign of summer learning loss in READING

MEET NEELA AND GILYSSA Neela and Gilyssa are

both seventh graders who had been long-term participants in Brighten Up

afterschool and summer program at Foxwood Manor in Levittown, Pennsylvania. As they became the oldest participants in the program, Neela and Gilyssa began tutoring younger participants and engaging them in program activities. They have enjoyed volunteering in the community center so much that they are now developing a new program for teens. Both teens are truly excelling now—keeping up with their schoolwork, participating in school sports, and helping their community.

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LOOKING FORWARD

WE ARE EAGER TO MEET NEW OPPORTUNITIES going forward. In 2016 alone, Operation Pathways intends to expand its business by more than 20%, adding many new program sites to its portfolio. The projections are similar for 2017. While remaining a proud NHPF Affiliate, we are also speaking with other affordable housing developers and owners about providing them high-quality resident services.

We also have big plans within each of our pathways:

Pathway to Healthier Living We are looking forward to expanding our national GirlTrek and Oldways partnerships across our service portfolio. These two collaborators have high-achieving programs, led by highly skilled and motivational leaders. With GirlTrek’s focus on fitness and Oldways’ emphasis on nutrition, together we are making our communities healthier one step (and meal) at a time. Pathway to Academic Achievement Our plan for 2016 is to re-focus our efforts during out-of-school time programs to infiltrate a S.T.E.A.M. approach to our programming for children and youth. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics will soon shape the daily schedules of our out-of-school time programs, as we incorporate these content areas into fun and engaging projects and physical activities. Pathway to Financial Stability Operation Pathways is excited to explore the possibility of initiating an Individual Development Account (IDA) program across our portfolio. While we are still seeking full funding for the program, we have already received partial matches for the accounts. With our IDA program, we will be helping our residents build savings to purchase assets and gain greater self-sufficiency.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT OVERVIEW

Operation Pathways presents its audited financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The audit concluded our financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Operation Pathways as of December 31, 2015 and the changes in our net assets and cash flows for the period from January 9, 2015 to December 31, 2015. It must be noted that, until January 9, 2015, Operation Pathways operated as a division within The NHP Foundation (NHPF). In approaching that date, NHPF and Operation Pathways made the strategic decision to make Operation Pathways its own not-for-profit corporation. Notwithstanding that important structural evolution, Operation Pathways is proud to be recognized as an NHPF affiliate. Operation Pathways ended the fiscal year with a small deficit in unrestricted net assets, but with a balance in assets available for use in 2016. We are working diligently to supplement those available assets with additional grant income and contributions in 2016 that will help fund the valuable services we offer our residents. Working together, both Operation Pathways and NHPF remain committed to improving people’s lives by providing meaningful and life-affirming residential services. A complete copy of our 2015 audited financials is available upon request to the office of the Chief Financial Officer, 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 3500, New York, NY 10168, or by calling 646.336.4940.

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OPERAT I ON PATHWAYS F I SCAL YEAR 20 1 5 ANNUAL REPORT

2015 SUPPORTERS

Operation Pathways would like to acknowledge and thank all those who make our work possible. Without the support of the generous corporations, foundations, and individuals listed below, our work would not be possible.

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORTERS AMERIGROUP AZAR FOUNDATION BANCORPSOUTH BANK OF AMERICA BBVA COMPASS BUCKS OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL CHILDREN and FAMILY LEGACY FUND CMQ FLOORING DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION FOUNDATIONS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP HAMEL BUILDERS THE HUEY and ANGELINA WILSON FOUNDATION LATTER & BLUM, INC. LOUISIANA PIZZA KITCHEN THE NHP FOUNDATION NIAGARA BOTTLING OLDWAYS PEOPLE’S UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SIRUS FUND SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STATE FARM UNITED WAY OF GREATER HOUSTON UNITED WAY OF WESTERN CONNECTICUT

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS ROBERT ABRAMS

ERNEST SIMONS ROBERT and SHARON STARBAUM KENDRA STENSVEN FRANK L. SULLIVAN, JR. TOMLINSON FOR STATE SENATE THOMAS VACCCARO JEAN VITKO CAROLINE WALLACE AMANDA WALZ JOYCE WALZ

MECKY ADNANI EUGENE ARINZE KATHLEEN and DANIEL BARANOSKI ANGELIQUE BENNETT RALPH BOYD MR. and MRS. BYRON BRANCH and FAMILY RICHARD BURNS LESLIE and THOMAS CARR FRANK CERBINI

PATRICK WALZ RICHARD WALZ ELZA WATSON DAVID WEITMAN KEN WHITE CARLOS WHITE JOSEPH WIEDORFER

FRIENDS OF TINA DAVIS PATRICIA DIAZ DENNIS

CARSON DIMICK SUSAN ELMORE

CHRISTY FOREMAN MONIQUE FRANCIS GIGI GRAY STEVE GREENE KRISTINA HENRY DONALD HESS JOHN and ANGEL HOWELL JENNIFER KLEIN-AYERS KEVIN LEWIS CLAUDIA LEWIS JEFF MACDONGAH DIKRANUHI MARASLIOGLU FRED MITCHELL REBECCA NOTARFRANCESCO CINDY OHLENFROST LUCY PERERA TIMOTHY PRYOR SIOBHAN RAY

J. R. WOOD, SR. SUSAN YOUNG

PAMELA ROBINSON CHRISTINA RODGERS JEFFERY SALZER CHERI SANTOS-WUEST

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122 EAST 42ND STREET, SUITE 3500 NEW YORK, NY 10168 • 646.336.4940

1090 VERMONT AVENUE, NW, SUITE 400 WASHINGTON, DC 20005 • 202.789.5300 www.operationpathways.org

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