From the Executive Director:
Annual reports are usually fairly predictable and often the information is much more interesting to all of us closely associated with the day to day than someone who has many other things to fill their head and study. I have been writing this annual report letter for 23 years. Yes, it is great to look back on the year and say “Yes, we did it…or wow…that was sure a challenge”. And if you were a part of the year represented in this report I say “well done…your faithfulness means more than it ever has before”
July 1, 2019 started like most new program years for us. Always lots of activity, lots of opportunity to meet people and impact the lives of families. But nothing really prepared us for March 17, 2020. I remember the day because it was the first day of Spring Break. On that day, we realized that COVID-19 was a reality, a threat and a call to action like no other. Some programs like Seniors and Family Services were immediately shut down. We knew our families needed the daycare to remain open so we put in unprecedented safety, health and programming requirements and buckled down to provide all day programming for kids who would normally be in school. We found out which thermometers worked, what sanitizing products were safe for children, what staff needed to do to keep the programs safe and functioning. And then we waited…thinking this would be a few weeks or a few months of disruption. We closed out the program year and started a new one, still waiting for the disruption to end. Kids lost the opportunity for field trips, swimming and most outdoor fun in public places. Seniors were isolated and families struggled even more to meet basic needs. And sadly, the catastrophe called COVID has not ended and we are forever changed. Hugs and handshakes are gone and smiles are done only with eyes.
But wait…this is not the first time Friendly House has had to deal with a pandemic. A quote from the Davenport Daily Times, October 19, 1918 states “ Harry Downer, in charge of Friendly House, reports that there will be no further meetings or assemblages there until the Spanish influenza epidemic is past”.
It is wonderful to see that the community survived a massive pandemic and that Friendly House stands today as an agency that still serves the community and meets needs. After 33, years, I will be retiring at the end of December, 2020 and It looks like it will be well in to 2021 before the end of this saga is written. Terry Hendershott will become the new Executive Director and I have nothing but confidence in the strength and resilience of Friendly House, its mission and the families, staff and board who call us “Friends”. And I believe hugs, handshakes and smiles will return.
Stay with us…Friendly House turns 125 in April 2021. You won’t want to miss the party!!!
Be well…dear Friendly House.
Youth Services
Preschool
• 3 preschool classes: : full day (2-5 year olds), partial day MWF (4 year olds) & partial day TTh (3 year olds)
• 85 preschool students
• 42,953 units of service (1 unit = 1 hour of service)
• We utilize The Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessment system. GOLD is organized into ten areas of development and learning. We measure six of these: social-emotional, physical (gross motor and fine motor), language, cognitive, literacy and math.
K-5
• 3 programs: Afterschool, Summer Daycare, Plus Days
• 77 students
• 26,431 units of service (1 unit = 1 hour of service)
• 85% of parents stated that as a result of the program my child has taken something they learned at Friendly House and applied it in other parts of their life.
Family Services
Educational Scholarships
• 6 scholarships awarded
• 6 scholarship recipients
• $7000 awarded
Emergency Assistance
• 213 families/ 745 individuals received clothing vouchers
• 70 families/ 174 individuals received gas vouchers
• 77 families/ 240 individuals received laundry vouchers
• 13 families/ 38 individuals received prescription vouchers
• 4 families/ 7 individuals had social needs met (including birth certificates, driver’s licenses, work clothing, etc.)
Family Event Nights
• 2 nights
• 174 families/ 764 individuals attended
Food Pantry
• 1710 families served
• 6436 individuals served
• 473 families visiting at least once
• Average of 33 family visits/ week
• 40,456 lbs. of food purchased through River Bend Food Bank
Holiday Assistance
• 162 community members served at our annual Thanksgiving luncheon
• 25 bikes distributed to children through our partnership with the Scott County Sheriff’s Department Bike Restoration Program
• 55 children bought gifts through Santa’s Secret Workshop
• 250 families received a Holiday Basket
• 466 children received gifts through Holiday Baskets
• 883 total individuals served through Holiday Baskets
• 30 Holiday Basket community sponsors
Rent Rebates
• 102 rent rebates completed
• $75,116 refunded from rent rebates
Senior Services
Senior Services
• 38 seniors served
• 73 days of senior programming
• 1154 trips in the Senior Bus
• Bingo played every Tuesday & low-impact aerobics done every Friday
• 125 meals served to seniors
• 62 seniors served via SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program, a free, confidential service that helps Iowa citizens make informed decisions about Medicare and other health coverage)
• 8 Lunch Bunch trips
Community Services
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• 69 home childcare providers
• Average of 111 children served monthly
Childcare & Preschool Scholarships
• 95 preschoolers received scholarships
• 35 children received scholarships for school ready
• Over $290,000 distributed in scholarship funding
Room Rentals
• 2819 people utilized community room and/ or gym
• 79 days rented- gym
• 41 days rented- community room
Friendly House Community
Volunteers
• 144 volunteers served at Friendly House
• 1682.5 total hours of service in 10 different program areas
Board Members
• President- Erin McKay
• Vice President- Jim Farber
• Secretary- Beth Hancock
• Treasurer- Chris Koerperich
• Becky Eiting, Andy Erpelding, Rob Frieden, Mike Goben, Andrew Harris, John Kessler, Doug McDonald, Paul Neuharth, John Oliger, Jennifer Randazzo, Dan Riefe, Gary Robbins, Chris Shumpert, Beth Tinsman, Andy Trasowech, Tom Wagner, Bob Waterman
Our Collaborative Partners
Our Donors
And don't forget our staff!
"Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.”
Alice Walker
Thank you for any way you have supported Friendly House in the past. If you would like to make a donation to help us in the year ahead, please use this link. And thank you for helping us create something of beauty in our community!
To learn more about Friendly House, and to keep up with important news and events, check out our website and follow us on social media.