Yearbook 2012 - 2013 Neighborhood Centers Inc.

1 Table of Contents

Table of Contents About Neighborhood Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Out to Change the World for Good — A Letter From the CEO Leading the Way The Next Neighborhoods The For Good Movement

Investing in Human Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Economic Opportunity Workforce Initiatives Tax Centers Immigration and Citizenship Education Sheltering Arms Senior Services

Making a Difference Through Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Heart of Gold TXU Energy Turkey Trot

Get Involved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Volunteer Visionaries Young Neighbors

Operating Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

2About Neighborhood Centers

We’ve started a movement . For Good . Neighborhood Centers is out to change the world .

Our agency was founded in 1907 to serve a hardscrabble town with an influx of immigrants in search of opportunity. Today, Houston is the fourth largest and most diverse city in America — a place with unparalleled human capital, a powerhouse economy and endless promise.

And yet, after all these years, the purpose of Neighborhood Centers hasn’t changed one bit.

We are a nationally recognized community-development agency that exists to keep our region a place of opportunity for all those willing to work for a better life.

We believe that neighborhoods are bridges to opportunity, that people can transform

communities and that everyone everywhere has something to contribute.

On these principles we have launched the For Good Movement. We’ve invited people to share, to donate, to connect, to be a part of something bigger. Now we are reaching out to you to help your neighbors transform their lives — for good.

Are you in?

— Angela Blanchard, President and CEO

Search your heart.Make a commitment.Write it down.Say it out loud.Change the world.

1 CEO Letter

Leading the WayNeighborhood Centers’ innovative approach is designed to bring out the best in every community. In the past year, three different research groups have published books studying our work.These books, released by the Brookings Institution, the Federal Reserve Bank and Low Income Fund of San Francisco,

all praise Neighborhood Centers’ distinctive approach to building vibrant communities.

“Every American city,” the Brookings researchers wrote, “can learn from the way Neighborhood Centers is embracing Houston’s future and weaving it into Houston’s history.”

3 About Neighborhood Centers

AboutNeighborhood

Centers

How Cities and Metros are Fixing our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy

THEMETROPOLITANREVOLUTION

BRUCE KATZ and JENNIFER BRADLEY

Neighborhood Centers has 73 service sites in

60 Texas counties .

Together, we can transform communities, bringing resources, education and connection to emerging neighborhoods.

1CEO Letter

The Next Neighborhoods…Houston is America on demographic fast-forward. Nearly 70% of residents come here from somewhere else, and more than 20% are born outside the country. We may not share a past, but we absolutely share a promising future.

Neighborhood Centers exists to keep Houston a place of opportunity for all who labor for a better life. We offer innovative holistic solutions. Our asset-based approach pushes us to look beyond discouraging statistics and build upon what works: the dreams, aspirations, natural leadership

and all other positive elements that are working in every neighborhood.

Our city is a perpetual boomtown and Neighborhood Centers has kept pace, growing each year for the past twenty years. We will continue to expand our efforts in neighborhoods across the region because we know that strong communities create economically healthy regions. We go where we are invited to go and do what we are invited to do. That’s why Neighborhood Centers now leads the way for neighborhood revitalization across the county.

4About Neighborhood Centers

Neighborhood Centers has 73 service sites in

60 Texas counties .

Neighborhood Centers is in the top

1% of nonprofits nationwide based on size and scope .

404,010 neighbors were served in 2012 .

1 CEO Letter5 About Neighborhood Centers

How do you change a community? A city? A nation? The world?

Neighborhood Centers is setting out to do just that by asking what you are doing For Good. Everyone, everywhere, can help build better, stronger,

smarter, healthier and happier communities by doing their part. We are asking the greater Houston region to consider their talents

and their resources to make a commitment. For Good.

1CEO Letter 6About Neighborhood Centers

IamForGood .org

7 About Neighborhood Centers

These wonderful individuals took the resources around them and transformed them into so much more for the whole community. They act, donate, share, tell, stand and never stop. In 2013, Neighborhood Centers held the inaugural Four. For Good ceremony at Houston’s City Hall.

Amy Mena . A Voice . Amy is more than an immigration attorney. She is a voice for the immigrant community. She provides constant support and volunteers at our New Neighbor groups and Citizenship and Immigration Forums. She also co-hosts a radio program on KPFT 90.1 called “Coming to America,” where she answers immigration questions from listeners.

Liz Adams . Volunteer . Liz is an advocate, leader and teacher. Not long after moving to Houston, Liz signed up to serve as a volunteer tutor with Literacy Advance. In just nine months, Liz has served 250 hours, led seven trainings and prepared more than 68 volunteer tutors to lead classes. She continues to inspire many to help increase literacy in Houston.

Diane O’Brien . Leader . Diane, an associate director of Trees of Hope, plays a large role in fundraising for Star of Hope. She also co-leads a Girl Scout troop at Port Houston Elementary School and coaches beginning runners in her spare time. Diane works to make a difference in her professional and personal life. For Good.

Samir Rahi . Founder . Samir knew the importance of a simple idea at a young age. Sure, he was just a seventh grader, but he didn’t let that stop him. He founded his own nonprofit, LiveSmart Initiatives, a youth-led effort to bring life-skills and new ideas to younger students. In just two years, that program has grown to impact more than 50 student participants working with 600 kids in the Fort Bend Independent School District.

1CEO Letter 8About Neighborhood Centers

Neighborhood Centers is motivating Houstonians to get involved in their own neighborhoods through a traveling art installation — a series of interactive displays that repeatedly read, “____. For Good.” People are invited to make a commitment and write in the blank what they will do For Good.

This community art project has been on display at:Houston City HallThe Orange Show’s Art Car Parade Discovery GreenUniversity of HoustonCity CentreUrban Farmer’s Market

IamForGood .orgWe all have the power to motivate others to join and improve their neighborhoods. By making a public commitment to the For Good Movement and sharing a photo on iamforgood.org, you can inspire others to get involved and help make positive transformations.

9 Investing in Human Capital

Investing in Human Capital

Economic Opportunity We believe in the power of community — bringing people together to give each other the strength to move toward self- sufficiency and transform neighborhoods. Largely supported by private philanthropic investment, our community-based programs and services not only engage individuals in their community, they improve their overall quality of life. Through our community centers, we provide a continuum of services including free tax preparation, family health and education, immigration and citizenship services, financial assistance and programs for youth and seniors.

Community Centers:Ripley House Independence HeightsHarbach-RipleyBaker-RipleyCleveland- RipleyLa PorteLeonel Castillo

Workforce Initiatives Our workforce development initiatives offer various job-training programs and create opportunities for our neighbors to connect with potential employers. We’ve seen a tremendous positive impact on individuals and communities as a whole. Residents are not only obtaining better-paying jobs, they are also driving the local and regional economy.

10Investing in Human Capital

Nearly 400 students now fluent in English bring

$5 .3 mil in earnings to their families every year .

Volunteers prepared

32,673 tax returns, up 17% from the previous year .

11 career offices in Houston helped fill

65,941 total jobs since 2008 .

Manuel’s Story

After graduating from law school, Manuel arrived to the United States from El Salvador seeking a better life for himself and his wife. He knew one of

the first things he had to do was learn to speak English. Manuel wasted no time in attending English as a Second Language classes at Neighborhood Centers.

“Since enrolling, my English is improving every day. I am studying at a school where learning goes beyond words…My mind is opened to new possibilities for my life,” said Manuel.

After a class trip to a career office, Manuel received information about how he could continue his law career in the United States. Manuel soon began volunteering with our Immigration and Citizenship program where he is training to become a paralegal while helping others just like him.

Tax Centers For many families, our tax centers mean the difference between keeping hard-earned income or losing that money forever. Our program exists to give the everyday, hardworking Houstonian a boost toward financial stability through tax refunds and savings from tax preparation fees.

The Leonel Castillo Community Center (left) will open in the historic Heights area and serve the community’s residents and families .

1 CEO Letter

Thailandia’s Story

What is really happening in regard to immigration in this country? What should we do to address it? Our Immigration and Citizenship program is available to connect communities to the necessary resources that will clear a path to citizenship and create engagement opportunities to achieve full civic participation integration.

Of the 226,000 young undocumented immigrants who are living in Texas, approximately 75,000 are from the Houston area. American DREAMers: The Journey from Shadow to Light, a new book by Neighborhood Centers, depicts the stories and challenges of these young adults who were brought to the United States as children. These DREAMers know no homeland other than America and want nothing more than the American Dream. A valuable resource of information, the book and its poignant stories will spark meaningful conversation about comprehensive immigration reform in America.

Immigration and Citizenship

11 Investing in Human Capital

Thailandia graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in English. With impressive credentials, she was offered a teaching position but had to decline it due to her immigration status. As an undocumented young adult, she continues to advance toward achieving her dream of becoming a teacher and making a difference in children’s lives.

“When we lose our fear, we can do more for our community,” she said. And so she did. Thailandia became more active in helping others like her and founded her own tutoring business, Progresar Tutoring.

American DREAMers will

have a cumulative

economic impact of

$9 .5 mil .Since 2009, our program has completed about

4,350 naturalization applications .

ImmigrationForGood .org

1CEO Letter 12Investing in Human Capital

Education: A New Approach Neighborhood Centers provides a high- performing education system comprising three elementary charter schools, one middle school and a New Neighbor school that prepares children and their parents for a world of constant learning in a global community.

We help our kids retain their love of learning by taking an alternative approach to education. Because our Promise Community Schools operate their

campuses within our neighborhood centers we integrate academics, health programs and social services all in one place. Now the entire family can prosper.

The New Neighbor School at the Baker- Ripley Community Center offers an enriched program specifically for refugee students where they can accelerate their English language literacy and better acculturate to their new home.

Game Based Learning is coming to the Ripley House Middle School. This cutting- edge technique to learning will create an educational environment that is more interactive, collaborative and empowering. Students will use technology to build their creativity and critical thinking skills - keys to their success in the future.

In 2012, we helped

2,427 children prepare for kindergarten through Head Start programs .

Ozhny’s StoryThe road to college is a long one, but it’s never too early to start working toward that goal. As part of the curriculum, each grade level at Baker-Ripley visits a different local university once a year. Ozhny Agurcia, a fifth grade student at the Baker-Ripley charter school, visited Baylor University in the third grade. Now

she aspires to attend Baylor and become a pediatrician.

“The school opens up a whole different world for these children,” said Fidel Maffuz, the school’s principal. “They see these colleges and universities, many for the first time, and they realize that they can go there, too.”

Our three Promise Community schools brought education to

1,918 students .

Ruby’s Story

13 Investing in Human Capital

Sheltering Arms Senior Services, a division of Neighborhood Centers, is committed to the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers so they may live safe and independent lives in their own homes. Our seniors have access to our Home Care, Day Center, Case Management and Telephone Reassurance programs — all of which contribute to their quality of life.

Our programs make a lasting impact on our seniors — like Ruby, whose ability to communicate had slipped away along with her sense of motivation well before her 60th birthday, due to dementia. Her daughter, Ally, was left wondering what to do for her mother, so she turned to Sheltering Arms. Now Ally is finally seeing her mother happy and smiling again.

“The change I see in my mother is overwhelming — it’s a complete transformation and I can’t thank the staff enough,” she said. Ruby continues to enjoy the many craft projects and time in the kitchen when she visits the Day Center at least three times a week.

Last year we supported

405 seniors and caregivers dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s .

Our senior programs

annually serve more than

63,000 seniors and caregivers .

14Making a Difference Through Engagement

TXU Energy Turkey TrotIn 2012, nearly 14,000 trotters showed their support on Thanksgiving morning to help raise a record amount of funding for our seniors. The Turkey Trot not only draws awareness to the needs of Houston’s seniors and children, it brings families together for a healthy holiday tradition.

“The dollars raised at the TXU Energy Turkey Trot make a positive and important difference in the lives of our most precious neighbors,” said Jim Burke, Chairman and CEO of TXU Energy. Now celebrating the tenth year of partnership between TXU Energy and Sheltering Arms Senior Services, the Turkey Trot is poised to become the second largest footrace in Houston.

Heart of Gold Celebration Every year, Neighborhood Centers holds our largest annual event to honor community members who exemplify the compassion and commitment of our Agency’s founder. In 2013, Houston Mayor Annise Parker presented the Alice Graham Baker Crusader Award to not one, but two deserving community leaders. The recipients were Welcome Wilson, Sr. and Welcome Wilson, Jr., leaders in both Houston’s business and philanthropic communities.

Last year Turkey Trot raised funding to help

63,000 seniors and children .

Making a Difference Through

Engagement

Welcome Wilson Sr ., Welcome Wilson Jr . and Mayor

Annise Parker at the 2013 Heart of Gold Celebration .

Get Involved

In 2012, volunteers donated more than

126,800 hours to build vibrant communities .

15 Get Involved

Our volunteers are the foundation for our continued success. We invite you to help carry out our mission. Share your time, talents and creativity. For Good.

Contact volunteer@neighborhood-centers .org to volunteer .

Get Involved 599 tax center volunteers at 15 tax centers have given

24,145 hours of service .

601 immigration

volunteers have given

3,005 hours of service .

16Get Involved

Making a Difference Visionaries share our belief in human potential and our vision of opportunity for all. Through their generous contributions, our Visionaries ensure we have the capacity to respond to the next challenge, the next family, the next neighborhood.

Join Visionaries and help us continue our mission to bring resources, education and connection to our emerging neighbor- hoods and build vibrant communities.

Houston’s New StorytellersOur Young Neighbors professional group connects future leaders to Houston’s neighborhoods. Through their passion to serve the community, our Young Neighbors directly impact Houston in a new way.

Young Neighbors allows up-and-coming professionals to have more access and greater connection to Houston and their efforts help our city remain a place of opportunity for all those working for a better life.

“By joining together to help others and improve lives, we can all make a difference.”— Joni Baird, Houston Public and

Government Affairs, Chevron

1 CEO Letter

Operating ResultsREVENUES EXPENSES

Community Based Initiatives

Contributions & Special Events $4,582,071 Community Centers $3,365,124

Public Grants & Contracts 1,270,399 Financial Success Initiatives 503,852

United Way of Greater Houston 2,776,227 Family Health & Wellness 1,491,966

Program Revenues 750,940 Youth Programs 1,846,232

Immigration & Citizenship 686,022

Neighborhood Tax Centers 1,659,702

Subtotal Community Based Initiatives 9,379,637 9,552,898

Choices in Education

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 18,777,048 Head Start/Early Head Start 18,881,975

Texas Education Agency 12,558,474 Charter School 11,827,710

Other Public Grants & Contracts 1,317,385 Early Childhood Education 862,953

United Way of Greater Houston 494,277 USDA Food Program 1,306,569

Contributions & Special Events 88,348

Program Revenues 290,275

Subtotal Choices In Education 33,525,807 32,879,207

Public Sector Solutions

Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board 131,315,202 Child Care Assistance 151,954,027

Coastal Bend Workforce Development Board 12,354,188 Stay Connected - Disaster Recovery Assistance 89,210

Deep East Texas Workforce Development Board 6,873,595 Work Support Assistance 19,968,152

Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board 12,371,525 Financial Aid Operations 9,698,246

Brazos Valley Workforce Development Board 3,513,397 Veterans Assistance 481,818

East Texas Workforce Development Board 15,182,349 Energy Assistance 17,978,061

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs 11,724,189 Career Centers 3,793,671

Public Grants, Energy Assistance 17,882,172 Weatherization 11,679,902

Other Public Grants & Contracts 459,304

HGAC - Career Centers 3,791,001

Contributions 205,972

Subtotal Public Sector Solutions 215,672,894 215,643,087

Sheltering Arms Senior Services

United Way of Greater Houston 2,300,228 Home Care Services 972,385

Contributions & Special Events 314,795 Adult Day Care 1,110,330

Program Revenues 501,224 Social Services 633,222

Public Grants & Contracts 2,390,544 Care for Elders 493,923

Senior Centers 1,474,771

Health Promotion 605,868

Volunteer Services 83,162

Subtotal Sheltering Arms Senior Services $5,506,791 $5,373,661

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC . TOTAL $264,085,129 $263,448,853

17 Operating Results

4500 Bissonnet, Suite 200 ¡ Bellaire, TX 77401P.O. Box 271389 ¡ Houston, TX 77277–1389

713.667.9400 | neighborhood-centers.org

Connect with Us Socially!

Board of DirectorsOfficers

David A. Chaumette, Chair Mike Ballases Melissa L. Edwards Nancy Wooldridge Mitchell Heather C. Simpson David Tobin, Ph.D.

Members

Debbie Adams R. Edwin Allday Joanne Baker Mitzi Bartlett Immanuel Capdeville, Sr. Sylvia Capetillo Jonathan Day D. Mark DeWalch Michael Dokupil Gwen Emmett Tommy Inglesby Bill Jayroe Ann Kennedy Margaret Kripke, Ph.D. Stan Marek Eric Marin Robert Miller Terrylin G. Neale Laura T. Pontikes David Powers R. Carleton Riser Shameka Reed Tom Sanders Don Turkleson Frazier Wilson, Ed.D

Senior Executive Team Angela Blanchard President and CEO

Ray Chung Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer

Emelda Douglas Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer

Claudia Vasquez Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer

Our LeadersNational Leadership Cabinet Nancy Andrews President and CEO, Low Income Investment Fund

Secretary James A . Baker III Partner, Baker Botts LLP

Susan G . Baker Community Volunteer

Mike Ballases Retired Chair of JP Morgan Chase, Houston Region

Richard Baron Co-Founder and CEO, McCormack Baron Salazar

J . Murry Bowden Founder, Chairman and CEO of The Hanover Company

Henry Cisneros Chairman CityView

Jonathan Day Of Counsel, Andrews Kurth LLP

Dr . Larry Faulkner Retired President, Houston Endowment

Ira Goldstein, Ph .D . President, The Reinvestment Fund

John Hofmeister Founder and CEO, Citizens for Affordable Energy

Dr . Karen Otazo Hofmeister Executive Director, Citizens for Affordable Energy

Bruce Katz Vice President and Founding Director, Brookings Institution, Metropolitan Policy Program

Marc Shapiro Retired Vice Chairman, JP Morgan Chase

Margery Austin Turner Senior Vice President for Program Planning and Management, Urban Institute