Annual Report 2005

Compassion In Action—USA 1205 W. Cypress #193 San Dimas, CA 91773

Phone (909) 599-2087

Email: info@compassioninaction.us Website: www.compassioninaction.us

Compassion In Action-USA is a non-profit corporation

EI # 61-1422369. All donations are tax-deductible.

Contents

Letter from the President 2

Our Programs 3

Our Clients 4

Our Financial Data 5

Our Donors and Partners 6

Our Board of Directors 7

What We Do 8

In 2005, Compassion In Action-USA took on the challenge of becoming a financially sustainable organization with full-time leadership. Consider our key achievements in service of this goal:

♦ We continued our 100% Successful Track Record in securing approval in Social Security Disability cases, a testament to the effectiveness of our Advocacy Services.

♦ We developed and launched a Community Networking and Donor Development Program, culminating in our first “Circle of Compassion” Fundraising Luncheon.

♦ We hired our first Full-time Executive Director, expanding the capacity of Compassion In Action-USA to provide high quality advocacy services free of charge to the ill and injured members of our communities.

From the

President Compassion In Action-USA welcomes you to our first Annual Report, a milestone for 2005, and a fitting one in celebration of our three year anniversary as a nonprofit organization transforming the lives of the disabled and disenfranchised in Southern California, in states throughout our country, and as far away as Swe-den.

As we move forward into a new era for our organization, we know this is a program that works. This has been demonstrated in winning 33 Social Security and SSI Disability cases with our skilled advocacy services– all while working with a lim-ited part-time volunteer staff. We have witnessed the difference we make in the lives of those who seek our assistance-we will share their life-altering stories with you.

Compassion In Action-USA has been sustained financially and emotionally by many people and partners and we are thankful and grateful for this essential support. 2005 was our most successful funding year to date, culminating in an anni-versary luncheon, our largest single fundraiser in our three year history. We will continue to need the financial support of our partners and donors as we move for-ward over the next 12 months .

Compassion In Action-USA now has a full-time Executive Director and we are intensely developing our volunteer and advocacy training programs. In a com-mitted effort to be self-funded, we are launching two new programs in 2006, our Disability Workshop Program and our Physician Guide to Documenting Disabilities for Social Security, which will teach you and others in your community to duplicate our success. These programs will significantly increase the number of disabled peo-ple who will receive life-sustaining benefits, in a timely manner, while they are un-able to work. These programs will also generate vital income that will allow Com-passion In Action-USA to continue to provide our advocacy services free of charge to our clients, and to expand our efforts both within California and throughout the nation.

Our vision is to change the outcome of Social Security Disability claims from a bleak 60-85% denied to 100% approval for those who are legitimately dis-abled. We have cut the waiting time for approval of claims from the far too typical four years to three to five months; many claims have been approved even faster. The disabled people in our country should not be homeless, hungry, and near death before they are helped, and we are committed to eliminating that outcome in the richest society in the world.

Thank you, again. We look forward to an exciting and successful future with all of you who have reached out with compassion to your neighbors. Spread the word—you may save somebody’s life!

Barbara Case

Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

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Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

Pictures or pictures here with captions

The mission of Compassion In Action-USA is to provide high quality advocacy services free of charge to the ill and injured members of our communities. We assist our clients in securing life-sustaining resources and services, including Social Security Disability. In 2005, we took on the challenge of becoming a financially sustainable organization with full-time leadership.

♥ We continued our 100% Successful Track Record in securing approval in Social Security Disability cases, a testament to the effectiveness of our Advocacy Services.

If you consider that MOST (60-85%) Social Security disability claims are DENIED at the initial claim level, and final decisions often take three to four YEARS. What would it be like for someone unable to work to wait four years to start receiving disability benefits? What if this person didn’t have family to assist them in the interim? How would they pay their bills, obtain medical care, or even buy food? What happened to the system this person paid into to secure life-sustaining benefits for exactly such a situation?

Compassion In Action-USA was founded on the idea that skilled advocacy services can re-verse these statistics. Our current statistics are more than impressive—our track record in secur-ing approval in Social Security Disability cases is perfect to date. Since our incorporation in 2002, we have won approval for 33 disability cases. These clients range in age from 21 to 63, on average 51 years old. They live primarily in Southern California, but we have had cases in North Carolina, Iowa, Georgia, Arizona, and even Sweden. The average monthly income when clients engaged our services was less than $100, and was over $1000 after successfully obtain-ing approval for their claim. Instead of the years that the process often takes, our clients re-ceived approval in less than four months on average. These statistics are nothing short of EX-TRAORDINARY, and attest to the effectiveness of comprehensive advocacy services. Most lawyers can’t claim anything near that remarkable, because they don’t take the time and the care that we do in preparing a client’s claim. And Compassion In Action-USA provides their ser-vices FREE OF CHARGE. Most importantly, the relationship with our clients does not end when benefits are secured. We are available down the road should clients need further assis-tance. We also provide opportunities for clients to remain involved with the organization, and many welcome the opportunity to give back by helping others like themselves.

♥ We developed and launched a Community Networking and Donor Development Program, culminating in our first “Circle of Compassion” Fundraising Luncheon.

Since all of Compassion In Action-USA’s advocacy services are provided free of charge to our clients, our organization relies on the generosity of individual and corporate donations as well as grant support for nonprofit organizations. Compassion In Action-USA developed a community networking and donor development program, the Circle of Compassion, with assis-tance from a grant program offered by We Care America, Inc. This program is now part of our strategic plan for the financial sustainability of our organization in 2006 and beyond.

The Circle of Compassion is a replicable model for community outreach and fundraising. We began by developing a one-hour presentation designed to inform interested community mem-bers and organizations about the work of Compassion In Action-USA. “Connecting with Com-passion” informational meetings were held throughout Southern California in the fall of 2005. The attendees of these meetings became part of our community network, expanding community awareness and interest in the organization. We invited community members from this network to join our “Circle of Compassion” by contributing to the financial sustainability of Compassion In Action-USA. We inaugurated our Circle of Compassion at our first fundraising luncheon on October 22, 2005, raising over $12,000 in an afternoon with great food, inspiring stories and 100 red balloons!

♥ We hired our first Full-time Executive Director, the initial step toward expanding the capacity of Compassion In Action-USA to provide high quality advocacy services free of charge to the ill and injured members of our communities.

The need for our services across the nation is far greater than the capacity of Compassion In Action-USA. In 2005, we committed funding to engage full-time leadership in the expansion of our advocacy services. Beginning November 1, 2005, Barbara Case began as Compassion In Action-USA’s first Executive Director. Barbara provides full-time leadership to our advocacy team and engages the organization in capacity building activities. This expansion includes not only serving more clients directly, but also building the capacity of community organizations, social services providers, and individual citizens to advocate on their own. A workshop pro-gram designed to provide training and information to those in the community who want to learn how to replicate Compassion In Actions-USA’s amazing success is underway for 2006. Only together can we reverse the national statistics, mitigate unnecessary suffering, and save count-less lives.

Top: For the third year, Compassion In Ac-tion-USA hosts a booth at San Dimas West-ern Days in October 2005. Nonprofit organi-zations had the opportunity to host a booth that featured games for children, and red-shirted volunteers Jackie Martinez (left) and Kim Kelly (right) run Compassion’s “Quarter Toss.”

Bottom: At one of Compassion In Action-USA’s “Connecting with Compassion” in-formational meetings, volunteers Robin Lines and Patricia Douglas monitor the lit-erature table. Informational meetings like this one at the Covina Senior Center Annual Health Fair were held in the fall of 2005 to raise local awareness of Compassion In Ac-tion-USA’s programs and services.

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Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

One of the first calls Compassion In Action-USA received was from a friend of Jona-than’s family. Jonathan was released from the hospital in January 2003, after suffering Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of a tragic car accident.

Jonathan’s family had already exhausted their personal insurance, and without Medi-Cal (which had stopped at the time of his hospital release), they would be unable to cover Jonathan’s long-term care for his per-manent injuries. In addition to restoring his Medi-Cal, Jonathan’s personal advocate as-sisted his family in obtaining a powered wheelchair and handicap accessible ramp for his home during his rehabilitation.

Jonathan now attends classes at High Hopes Head Injury Program in Tustin, CA, and he is shown above during an adaptive bowling program at High Hopes sporting his partici-pation medal as well as his recent lasik sur-gery. Find out more about Jonathan at www.jconder.com.

Suzanne, born with Cerebral Palsy, had given up the thought of ever becoming a productive member of her community. She had been repeatedly denied benefits for over twenty years. Because of her personal advocate from Compassion In Action-USA, Suzanne now receives SSI and vocational rehabilitation services at a Re-gional Center and is working under a job coach at a local convalescent center. The excitement she has for her new life is evident: “This is the first job I have had in my life, and I love it. For the first time in my life I feel like I am a productive member of society. All thanks to my personal advocate, I now have self-esteem and a sense of self-worth. I feel like I can make a positive difference in the lives of others. I am happier about myself and my life than I have ever been.”

Suzanne, happier than she has ever been

When Mary Ann found Compassion In Action-USA in March 2004, she was sick with Hepatitis C and Valley Fever. Years of illness had exhausted her state dis-ability and unemployment benefits, she was struggling to keep any food on the table, and eviction from her apartment was imminent. Mary Ann shared that her personal advocate “alleviated the stressors of not having food [by having] food delivered. With the help of my Congressman’s aide, my bills were placed on hold. She was in constant contact with my landlord, reassuring him that he would get his rent money. She and her husband drove four hours to escort me to my court appointment with the Administrative Law Judge in Fresno, CA. My Social Security disability claim was granted “favorable” approval two weeks later and I was awarded back pay from when I got fired in January, 2002. Say-ing “thank you” will never be enough payment to this humane organization and to my personal advocate for her kindness, patience, and generosity.”

Mary Ann, back from the brink of homelessness

Melody was injured at work after almost 30 years. While waiting for Social Se-curity to approve her disability claim, she went through many medical procedures and all her personal funds. Unable to return to work, she lost her benefits one by one. She explains, “I became more depressed and hopeless. One night when I was at my worst my personal advocate called and talked to me until I was al-right. That was not all. She helped me do the necessary things to speed up my appeals process. Without her I would still be waiting for a hearing. Instead, I won a decision based on the record and am now receiving my benefits. The world needs more people like my personal advocate. People living in constant pain need help so they don’t have to fight alone.”

Melody, appeal approved without a hearing

The heart of Compassion In Action-USA is providing advocacy services to ill and injured Community members. We devote this page of our annual report to sharing some of our clients’ stories with you. More testimonials from our clients can be found on our website, www.compassioninaction.us.

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Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

Income 2005 $24,970

Individual Donors$13,484 (54%)

Corporate Donations $2,996 (12%)

Grants$8,500 (34%)

Expense 2005 $23,326

Staff and Consulting Fees $8,000 (34%)Administrative Costs

$7,371 (32%)

Public Relations, Program Development, Program

Costs$7,955 (34%)

Compassion In Action-USA is funded primarily by private and corporate donors, as can be seen in the top chart. Grants comprise another major source of support, and Compassion In Action-USA received 2 grants in 2005. A grant program of particular interest was sponsored by We Care America, which provided invaluable technical assistance in addition to capacity-building funds. Our technical adviser from We Care America, Terri Larson, assisted us in the development and rollout of a community networking and donor development program. This resulted in the financial capacity to fund a full-time executive director beginning in November 2005. The bottom chart reflects the various expenses for 2005; about 1/3 was spent on staff and con-sulting fees, another 1/3 on public relations, program development and pro-gram costs, with the remaining third devoted to administrative costs such as office supplies, utilities, technology, and liability insurance. Our final balance for the 2005 calendar year was $1644 after all income and expenses were ac-counted for.

At a Community Partners Breakfast hosted by Wells Fargo at the Onmi hotel in Los Angeles in June 2005, President Barbara Case accepts an award from Michael Hart, Vice President and District Manager and Andy Wong, Community Banking President. Compassion In Action-USA was recognized for its service to the community in both 2004 and 2005, accompanied by a $1000 award. Wells Fargo has been the top corporate donor to Compassion In Action-USA since its’ founding in 2002.

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Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

Join our Circle of Compassion today. Your pledge will help support the valuable programs and services of Compassion In Action-USA. Choose your ring level in our circle: Friend of Compassion—$1-$299 Hopeful Heart—$300-$599 Compassionate Heart—$600-$1199 Angelic Heart—$1200-$5999 Donations can be monthly, by paypal or by credit card. All donations are tax deductible. 501(c)3 EI# 61-1422369. Please contact us or visit our website for more details, www.compassioninaction.us

FRIENDS OF COMPASSION ($1 TO $299) Jeff A

Jan Atkins Simeona Bigting

Tony & Dina Chavez Denise Cintron Chris Coggins Elaine Coggins

Phyllis Daly Wendy Chen Dang

Mary Difani Jim & Marci Ellison Kristine A. Estrada

Myrna Estrada Christine Fall Linda Felix

Sanjeev & Karin Francis Bernard & Ruth Gechter

Michael Hart Benjamin Johnson

Judith Johnson

Sandra Keeling Kimberle Kelly

Mike & Rosanna Khalil Diane MacAdam Helen Marshall

David Matayoshi Bill Mazucca

Steve & Annamaria McCloskey Felicia McDowell

Robert & Patricia Meyers Lorraine Minick Corinne Patera Dolores Patera

Tage & Jodi Peterson Laura Randolph Jeannette Ryan

Dr. & Mrs. Scott Sandrik Richard & Barbara Schmidt

Melody Schrimsher Rama Shah

Dr. & Mrs. William Spak Leonett Waight

COMMUNITY & CORPORATE PARTNERS ($5000 to $9999) Wells Fargo Foundation - Los Angeles, CA

COMMUNITY & CORPORATE PARTNERS ($2500 to $4999) We Care America - Washington, D.C.

COMMUNITY & CORPORATE PARTNERS ($500 to $2499) TMI Holdings - City of Commerce, CA

COMMUNITY & CORPORATE PARTNERS ($100 to $499)

Alarcon Sons (Baldwin Park, CA) Glenkirk Presbyterian Church

(Glendora, CA) Mothers Of Miracles*M.O.M.!*

(Aliso Viejo, CA) Ralph's Community Contribution Program

(Los Angeles, CA)

CORPORATE IN-KIND DONATIONS Act Now! Signs (San Dimas, CA)

City of Claremont, CA Computer Specialists, Inc (Orange, CA)

Divine Cranium Graphix - Chris Langlais (Seal Beach, CA)

ER Graphics (San Dimas, CA) James Morris, Attorney (San Dimas, CA) Thomas Bayard, Attorney (Pasadena, CA)

Wilson Industries, Inc. (Pomona, CA)

ANGELIC HEARTS ($1200 TO $5999) Cora Henderson

Dean & Debi Wilson

COMPASSIONATE HEARTS ($600 TO $1199)

Jerry Gechter Christopher Hart Family

HOPEFUL HEARTS ($300 TO $599) Dana Navarro

Mary Ann Sabo Samir Soliman

Maggie Ung

If the heart of Compassion In Action-USA is providing advocacy services to ill and injured Community members, the lifeblood of Compassion In Ac-tion-USA is the generous support of our donors, partners, and volunteers. You are an essential part of our organization, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who contributed to the organization in 2005 financially, physi-cally, intellectually, and emotionally. A complete and current list of our do-nors, partners, and volunteers can be found on our website, www.compassioninaction.us.

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Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

Top left: At Compassion In Action’s Third Anniversary Fundraising Luncheon held Oc-tober 22, 2005, Board Member Dana Navarro shares her personal story of Compassion In Action’s very first client and the inspiration for the founding of the organization…her mother, Cathy Maxwell.

Bottom left: An awesome team of volunteers ensured the success of our first fundraising luncheon, celebrating the three year anniver-sary of Compassion In Action-USA’s incorpo-ration as a nonprofit organization! From left to right: Chris Langlais, Phil Case, Barbara Wilson, Khryste Langlais, Dana Navarro, Barbara Case, Kimberle Kelly, Elena Richardson, Jackeline Martinez, and Ter-rence Richardson. Many thanks to all of our volunteers; it is volunteer efforts that have always made it possible for Compassion In Action-USA to serve the community.

President Barbara Case Office Manager / Advocate

Director of Research and Development

Dana Navarro Vice-President / Manager for Private Client Services / Wells Fargo Bank in LA Metro

Director of Fundraising David Henderson CEO / Idealistics / Software for Social Service Agencies

Treasurer Leonett Waight Controller / TMI Holdings, Inc.

Secretary Vicki Reed Day Care Owner / Director

Chair of Volunteer Committee

Michael Gechter Director of Research and Development / Idealistics

Legal Advisor Thomas Bayard Jr. Rios, Bayard & King

Bottom right: The inspiration for Compassion In Action-USA, Cathy Maxwell, 1948-1997. This annual report is dedicated to her memory.

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“There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We

sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly, the spirit

will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call and answer in extraordinary ways.”

Mother Theresa

What We Do

♦ We offer skilled advocacy services for Social Security Disability, SSI Disability, Medi-Cal, and Medicaid.

♦ We offer referrals to other resources or services needed by our clients, such as food, shelter, and medical treat-ment.

♦ We offer disability workshops so that individuals and agencies can learn to advocate for themselves.

♦ We offer informational meetings to raise awareness of Compassion In Action-USA’s programs and services.

♦ We offer community forums that bring together commu-nity representatives and organizations to raise aware-ness of available community services.

♦ We offer opportunities for community members to get involved as donors and volunteers—join us!

Keep in touch with us: www.compassioninaction.us

Compassion In Action-USA is a non-profit corporation, EI # 61-1422369.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Compassion In Action-USA is committed to providing

personal advocacy services without cost to our

community members who are struggling with a health-

related crisis. We will provide assistance to each

person until they have received the medical

services and disability benefits they are eligible for

so that they may live in dignity.

Compassion In Action—USA Annual Report 2005

On the cover, from left to right: Left: One of Compassion-in-Action’s first clients, Jonathan Conder, on his feet again after two years of rehabilitation due to a traumatic brain injury he sustained in 2002. Center: All for one and one for all! In the spirit of the three musketeers, local community leaders Maxine Coleman (Heart and Soul Services), Barbara Case (Compassion In Action-USA) and Helen Marshall (Glendora Welfare Association) join forces to provide for chil-dren and adults in their community, assisting community members in obtaining life-sustaining services such as food, housing, and assistance in securing benefits like Social Security. This photo was featured in the San Gabriel Valley Ex-aminer, Volume VIII, Issue 244, Jan. 21-17, 2004. Right: Elizabeth Holland finally meets her personal advocate, Bar-bara Case in North Carolina. Compassion In Action-USA assisted Elizabeth from California with the help of Eliza-beth’s friend, Jean Rinck, shown here with her Compassion In Action-USA volunteer hat.

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