2010 Annual Report

2010 ANNUAL REPORT to Community Investors

WORKING toward a better life.TM

step

by

step

advancing

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Life’s journey is different for everyone; however, what is not different is that each of us takes steps along our life journey. It is the nature of those steps that will define who we become and how we will engage the world around us. Some of the steps we take are missteps that take us off in unanticipated directions and into circumstances we cannot imagine we’d ever be in. We then find ourselves needing the help of others to get us back on track to a more positive and fulfilling life.

Each of us has the ability to make the necessary changes that will lead us into a life of purpose and meaning and one which helps make the world a better place. Regardless of where our past has led us, the Life Learning Center has become a unique program that offers its Members opportunities to search within themselves and rediscover how to step up and climb over the barriers of the past. They rediscover their talents, self-esteem and self-worth in a holistic way that redirects the next steps on one’s life journey.

The Center’s small and dedicated staff has created a unique environment and program which has documented success during the first four years of existence. Hundreds of LLC Members have taken steps to make permanent changes in their lives. In this annual report, LLC Members tell about the steps they are taking now in their life journey and how LLC Members and staff are stepping along with them. We are very proud of each LLC Member for the courage and dedication they have shown as they transformed their lives.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Life Learning Center, I hope you will find the information and the stories in this annual report compelling and that you will consider stepping up to offer your time, talents and resources that will help us transform the lives of others in our community.

Sincerely,

Dr. G. Edward HughesChairman of the Board

Letter from the

CHAIRMAN

G. Edward Hughes, Ph.D. - ChairGateway Community & Technical College

Barbara Schaefer, J.D., - Vice ChairThe Butler Foundation

Gordon C. Snyder - TreasurerCommonwealth Hotels, Inc.

Crystal Gibson - SecretaryCiti

Martin C. Butler, Esq. - Director*Strauss & Troy, LLP

William P. Butler - Director*Corporex Companies, LLC

David J. Schottelkotte - DirectorThe Procter & Gamble Company

Mary Anne Barnes, M.D.* Emeritus

Mac McArthur* Emeritus

Linda Young* Emeritus

BOARd ANd OffICERs

*Founding Board Member

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the staircase.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Life Learning Center 2010 Annual Report

Letter from the

EXECUTIVE dIRECTORJ.P. Morgan once said, “The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” For many people in our community, 2010 marked the beginning of advancement into a new future. 158 people completed the Life Learning Center’s Working Toward a Better Life™ classes. 110 (70%) found jobs, joining the 359 other Life Learning Center™ Members who are successfully employed since the opening of the Center. All of these individuals made the decision to overcome obstacles that had kept them in one place for too long. With the help of the Life Learning Center, they are now moving forward—step by step.

While we’re proud of the Center’s results to date and the contributions our Members are making to the community today, we won’t rest on these achievements. We recognize there is more to do.

The ultimate vision of the Life Learning Center is to help people define and achieve Transformational Permanent Change in their lives. In 2010, the Center took renewed steps toward reaching our long-term goal. At the direction of our Board, we began to build a ground-breaking defined core life curriculum that will help people more effectively bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be. This new curriculum – called Foundations for a Better Life™ – is designed to help people experience a positive and permanent altering of the character, appearance, course, and direction of their lives. In December 2010 we completed the initial design of the new, defined curriculum and 2011 will see the piloting and refining of the first Foundations classes.

As you read through this 2010 Annual Report, you will see that “Advancing, Step-by-Step” is more than a theme for the Life Learning Center. It is the guiding principle behind all that we endeavor to see accomplished in the lives of our Members as they maneuver through life’s obstacles and break free of some of their challenges. These pages tell the stories of steps taken by just a few of the Life Learning Center’s Members on their journey to success. We hope that their strides – and ours – in 2010 will inspire and engage you. Only with your support can we help even greater numbers of deserving people achieve Transformational Permanent Change.

Sincerely,

Denise GovanExecutive Director

Denise GovanExecutive Director

Grant DawsonAssociate Director

Paul Flinker Director of Operations

Monica RameyMember Coordinator

Debbie SmithExecutive Assistant

Brenda PairSpecial Projects Manager

Barb WilesCurriculum Liaison

sTAff

2The Life Learning Center 2010 Annual Report

The Life Learning Center™ (LLC) helps at-risk individuals and families in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be tomorrow. Through the Center’s programs Members create a safe productive network that supports them throughout their lives. LLC gives Members the tools necessary to transform their lives, step by step, resulting in stable employment and renewed confidence that they can achieve and live the life that they envision for themselves and their family. LLC is responding to a critical community need by offering our employment education program, which directly addresses one of United Way’s BOLD Goals: “Ensuring individuals and families achieve financial stability through gainful employment.” Our partnership with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati allows us to align with the community’s strategic initiatives and partnerships, making strides towards the greatest community impact. In today’s economy, there is an increasing demand for motivated individuals who can fill entry level positions and who have the transferable skills needed to move into higher positions of responsibility.

from 2006 to 2010, LLC has helped 619 at-risk individuals with various levels of education and work experience.In 2010, 158 people completed the “Working Toward a Better Life™” classes and 110 (70%) of them found jobs. With the Center’s help they are moving forward and experiencing hope and promise for their future. The Center’s students are referred to as “Members” because we expect them to actively engage in the Center’s educational program as well as feel comfortable, safe and part of the LLC family atmosphere. Once classes and labs are completed and employment is obtained, Members graduate and become “Life Members” with an opportunity to continue the relationship with the Center through Alumni activities, Member panels, mentoring, continued learning opportunities and community volunteer projects.

WHO WE ARE

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We appreciate any investment of your time, talent or treasure. To volunteer, please contact Brenda Pair, Special Projects Manager at 859-431-0100 ext 112. You can find specific volunteer opportunities on our website or make an online donation at www.nkyllc.org, or you can submit a monetary donation with the remittance envelope included in this publication.

With additional financial support, the Life Learning Center can begin to serve additional individuals from our waitlist, providing employment education, life education and employment coaching that helps individuals obtain work and begin to build a positive, healthy home for themselves and their families.

How to support The Life Learning Center

Wish ListTop 5 RequestsSpiral Binding MachineBreathalyzerDigital CameraDigital Video CameraLaptops for Computer Lab

On-Going donation Requests1” White View BindersCopy PaperFlash DrivesCertificate Frames 8.5 x 11Large and Small Paper PlatesNapkinsCupsPlastic UtensilsIncentive Prizes for Classes ($1 - $5 value)Gift Certificates for Incentive Awards($5 - $15 value)Helium Tank


Member statistics

2010 Achievements

Earned Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Non-Profit Agency Accreditation

• The Life Learning Center™ met all 20 standards for Charity Accountability• Of the 900 eligible charities, 120 are Accredited• Accreditation means that the LLC adheres to very high ethical standards

Received “Outstanding Neighbor Contribution” Award• Presented by Helentown Neighborhood Association, June 2, 2010

100% of Life Learning Center Staff Members contributed to the United Way Annual Campaign

ACCREDITEDCHARITYbbb.org

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$7.61

$9.49 $8.75$9.91

2006 2007 2008 2009

$11.05

2010

Average Starting Wage

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

13

74

113

159

110

Members Employed

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

20

106

143

192

158

Members Completing Core Class

Where are our Members working now?A Touch Above SalonAble SecurityADP Automatic Data ProcessingAHC Inc.Alaska Acres Nursing CareAllied Burton SecurityAmazonAmeriCorpsArby’sBeautiful NailsBeckfield CollegeBehle Street CafeBrendamour Moving & StorageBrighton CenterBuckeye DistributorsBurger KingCensus BureauChico’sChild Care ProfessionalsChrist HospitalCitiClub Chef LLCCommunity Action Commission

Corporex HotelsCovington Re-Use CenterCTL AerospaceDHLElite Protection GroupEmerson TechErlanger Pet SpaFedExFidelity InvestmentsFlorence MallFrisch’sFrito LayThe GapHickering ConstructionHK SystemsHomeGoodsHosea Project MoversHumanaJensen CleaningJohnny Rocket’sKellyKelly Services TensureKenton County Library

Kiswell IndustriesKrogerLD Design & InvestmentsLife Learning CenterLittle Red School HouseMarriottMcDonald’sMidwest RadiologyMike SellsNewport AquariumNorthern Kentucky Convention CenterOffice TeamOneCarePackaging UnlimitedPappadeauxParty CityThe PassagePomeroyProcter & GambleProTouchRamada Inn HotelRDI

Redwood SchoolsRoto RooterSchwan’s FoodsSedecoSMXSt. Bernard Soap CompanySt. Elizabeth HealthcareStaffMarkStan Young DrainageStreet SmartsSyncorThe EnquirerThe Pointe ARCTom Gill ChevroletToys ‘R’ UsUnion Presbyterian ChurchUniversal Training Concepts

VerizonWalmartWhite CastleZF Steering SystemsZoteFoams


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REVENUEs & PUBLIC sUPPORT

Consulting Services 11,000

Contributions 6,283

Foundation Grants 88,423

Interest 486

United Way of Greater Cincinnati 210,679

Total Revenues 316,871

EXPENsEs

Programs 331,130

Management & Administrative 71,810

Member Support 18,240

Total Expenses 421,180

Balance sheetAudited for period ending

December 31, 2010

AssETs

Current Assets

Cash & Cash Equivalents 23,241

Accounts Receivable 2,000

Prepaid Expenses 4,823

Total Current Assets 30,064

fixed Assets

Intellectual Property 107,000

Leasehold Improvements 37,692

Accum Depreciation - Leasehold (26,924)

Total fixed Assets 117,768

TOTAL AssETs 147,832

LIABILITIEs & EQUITY

Current Liabilities

Accounts Payable 670

Accrued Payroll 22,260

Accrued Expenses 317

Restricted Member Support 11

Total Current Liabilities 23,258

Long Term Liabilities

Notes Payable 107,000

Accrued Interest 454

Total Long Term Liabilities 107,454

Total Liabilities 130,712

Equity

Opening Balance Equity 244,540

Retained Earnings (117,272)

Net Income (110,148)

Total Equity 17,120

TOTAL EQUITY & LIABILITIEs 147,832

Audited statement of financial Activities

as of December 31, 2010

fINANCIAL sTATEMENTs

Be ConcernedBrighton Center Boone County Fiscal Court ServicesButler FoundationCatholic Charities, Inc.Centre De AmistadChildren’s Home of NKYCitiCity of Covington – Section 8 HousingConvergysCovington Housing AuthorityCovington Business CouncilCenter for Great Neighborhoods of CovingtonCenter for HomelessnessCovington HUBCovington Partners in PreventionECHO/Hosea House

Ethicon EndosurgeryFaith Community PharmacyFifth Third BankFlyWheelGateway Community & Technical CollegeHelentown AssociationI Have Wings Breast Cancer FoundationInstitute for Non Profit Capacity Interfaith Hospitality Network of NKYKenton County Public LibraryKY Division of Probation & ParoleKY Jail MinistriesLeadership Council of Human ServiceLegal Aid of the BluegrassMental Health America

National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyNKY Area Development DistrictNewport Adult Learning CenterNewport Neighborhood FoundationsNorthern Kentucky Chamber of CommerceNorthern Kentucky Community Action CommissionNorthern Kentucky HarvestNKY Independent Health Dept.NKY Workforce Investment Board Northern Kentucky UniversityOffice of Vocational Rehab

One Stop of NKYPIONEER Human ServicesThe Procter & Gamble CompanyRecovery NetworkSafety Net Alliance of Northern KentuckyStewart Ironworks ProjectToyota Manufacturing and EngineeringTRIO Educational Opportunity CentersTransitions, York StreetUnited Way of Greater CincinnatiWomen’s Crisis Center


COMMUNITY PARTNERsThe Life Learning Center gratefully recognizes the following community partners, who work with us to help our Members reach their goals.

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The volunteer, financial supporter and in-kind donor information listed in the Annual Report reflects our 2010 Calendar year. Although we try to avoid them, mistakes sometimes occur. If you contributed your time, talent or treasure to the Life Learning Center during this time period and your name is not listed, please notify us at (859) 431-0100 ext 111 or via email at [email protected].

VOLUNTEERsIn 2010, over 100 individuals volunteered 1,227 hours of their time and talent to the Life Learning Center and the Helentown Neighborhood of Covington, resulting in a value of $23,926 given back to LLC and the community. Thank you!!

fINANCIAL sUPPORTERs & IN-KINd dONORsThe Life Learning Center gratefully acknowledges the individuals, corporations, and foundations that made monetary investments and in-kind donations to benefit the Center in 2010.

A special note of thanks to those who wish to remain anonymous.

*Members/Alumni of the Life Learning Center

as of 12/31/10

Drew Abbott Margie Alford Patti Anderson Greg Barker* Lori Barrett* Mauricio Bermudez Brian Berry* Ashley Bonno* Rebecca Burgett John Burton* Mike Burton*Bill ButlerMarty Butler Charles Caldwell John Caldwell Jesse Carpenter Kim Carter* Janet ChambersJustice Cook Donnie Cook* Chris Courtney Dick Cullison Mary Davidson Neil Davidson Justin Davis Gary Dawson Grant Dawson Lindsey Degenhardt* Karen Domaschko Kelly Drodofsky

Greg BarkerCharles J. BauschBrighton Center, Talia Frye & Marsha KnightMike BurtonBill ButlerKathy EarlsButler FoundationChick-Fil-A, Jason GriggsCiti Fifth Third FoundationGateway Community and Technical CollegeJP Morgan Chase

Dr. Ken Engebretson Karen Fegelman Aaron Fetters Sandy Flinker Paul Flinker Brian Flinker* Mary Lu Funyak Daniel Garcia Crystal GibsonDarko Glazer* Donna Gosney* Mark Gottula* David GovanDenise Govan Haley Govan Jason Griggs - Chick-Fil-A Scarlett GrubbsRachel Gruber Caty Grzymajlo Lana Harper* Gary Haynes* Rachel Hodges Stephen Holloway* Ed HughesSusan Hughes - Convergys Julie Johnson - Convergys George KentTheresa King* Rob KuperRob Langenderfer*

Lynda GalinariCrystal GibsonGoodsearchDenise GovanSteven HollowayEd and Sarah HughesKeith KnappBob & Laura KroegerNelson Tents, Rob KuperUrsula LambLinda LeeNeil and Pearl LeonardMacy’sMaker’s Mark

Pearl Leonard Tom Leinmiller* Nate Mahan* Jackie Martinez* Traci Mattingly Ben McCutchen Bogan McCutchen Cecily McCutchen Terry McCutchen* Jerome Mitchell*Kevin Moore Carrie Mount Ali Mouser Harvey Myers* Carrie Neltner* Barb Nunemaker* Brenda Pair Dan Petronio David Pierce Faith Pierce Sarah Pierce Nicole Pierce* Charlene Prescott*Dave Ramey*Justin RiceCheri Rolfes*Craig RotheMonika RoyalDean Ryan*Donna Salyers

Claire OsburgJudith OsburgBrenda PairLela PairPerdue Poultry Farms, John PairNicole PierceQuatman Café, Matt ImmLinda Robinson, Silpada JewelryAnn RospertBarbara Baumann SchaeferDave SchottelkotteDebbie SmithVincent and Ann StampVince Surace

Hector SanchezBarbara Baumann SchaeferCaroline Schell*Rosie Schoenhoft*Dave SchottelkottePaul Sitavich*Dana SkulanDebbie SmithMike SmithGordy SnyderAdam Sturwold*Vince Surace*Heather TackettKarl Tackett*Monique Taylor*Justin TempRokhaya TempBob TubesingLori VandersteltAnnegien VanhagenElijah VarnerDan Walston*Ed Ward*Kenneth WebbVern WellerTrina WielandPaul WilsonBarbara WitteJustin Zauflik

Gordon SnyderDr. Angie TaylorKenneth ThomsonTiER 1Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.Tri-Venture Marketing, John TallentUnited Way of Greater CincinnatiDaniel WalstonEd WardPatricia WheatleyBarb WilesJeff Wiles


LIfE LEARNING CENTER GRAdUATEs Share their journeys

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Matt and Heather Cosgrave lost their long-term jobs within a month of each other in 2008. By October of 2010 the economy had taken its toll and they were fresh out of options. They moved from Georgia to restart their lives in Northern Kentucky and came to the Life Learning Center a month later.

The Cosgraves say the biggest thing they gained from the LLC is a restored confidence in themselves. Matt felt very beaten down and benefited from the help he received in dealing with the emotional issues of losing his job. Matt was also able to participate in the pilot class of Foundations for a Better Life™. As a result, he was able to learn to define his purpose in life and find the perfect job that allows him to fulfill that purpose. He works as part of a new urban partnership that is responsible for beautification of the Covington business district. Matt considers himself an ambassador for the city and loves every aspect of his job.Heather has also returned to a job she loves – working with animals. As for the Cosgraves’ future, it has never looked brighter. They are concentrating on their work, making connections in the Northern Kentucky area, and setting up a photography business. Like Heather says, “Everything happens for a reason. We may not have the things or do the things we once did, but we now realize what matters most and it is not ‘stuff.’ Life is different now, and it is good again.”Heather adds, they both found their jobs through connections made at the Life Learning Center and she is very thankful they both stepped through the doors of the LLC.

Matt & HeatherCosgrave“Letting go can be a painful process. LLC helped us rediscover what was truly important in life...and it wasn’t the material things we had left behind. The connections made through the LLC opened doors to new possibilities and the opportunity to achieve our goals.”


Over the last several years, Lori spent a lot of time worrying about her job security. As a teacher who worked with special needs children, she had to go where the need was and ended up working in a different school system each year.

At the end of the last year she found herself out of a job, with no self-confidence, no courage, and no idea of what to do next. When Lori came to the Life Learning Center she was at an all time emotional low.

Lori credits the Life Learning Center staff and Members for showing her how to gain the confidence and self esteem she needed to stand up for herself and how to step into a new and better life.

Recognizing her talent and abilities, the LLC recommended Lori for a position with another Northern Kentucky non-profit organization. Since going to work there almost a year ago, Lori

In July of 2008, Monique Taylor was passing by the Life Learning Center and curiosity caused her to stop in and see what the Center had to offer.

“When I walked in to the Center, I just felt empty,” she said. “I was on probation, struggling to make ends meet, in need of assistance, and working hard to maintain a sober life style. I just wanted to keep me and my children going.”

Monique started class in 2008 and since that time she has continued to advance personally and professionally, despite a few unexpected detours along the way. Even though she landed a good job shortly after completing the class, a medical condition that required surgery kept her from being able to perform the physical aspects of the job and she had to quit.

Monique didn’t let that keep her down. As soon as she was able, she went to

Monique Taylor

“...I’m glad I stuck around to see the miracle happen.

I’m living proof that it works.”

has changed the course and direction of her life and she is thriving at her new job. In addition, she has stepped into totally new territory. She recently bought her first car, she is pre-qualified to buy her first house, and in January 2012 she will begin work on her Master’s degree.

“I never dreamed I could do all this on my own, but the staff at the Life Learning Center showed me strengths I never knew I had.”

“...the Life Learning Center showed me strengths I never knew I had.”

LoriBarrett

work for another company and stayed there for over a year while volunteering at several local community organizations. She found her current position as a childcare attendant at one of those organizations, and she is coming up on five years of sobriety.

“I feel great now,” Monique says. “There’s no more emptiness—only joy! I still come to the LLC for support from the staff—they remind me that everyone has so much value to offer the world. It requires footwork and I’m glad I stuck around to see the miracle happen. I’m living proof that it works.”

8The Life Learning Center 2010 Annual Report

When Paul Sitavich was court ordered to attend the Working Toward a Better Life™ class in April 2009, he had just been released from his second incarceration. His criminal background was six pages long and included convictions for three felonies and numerous misdemeanors.

Paul made a quality decision that this time was going to be different. He came to the realization that he couldn’t deny, lie about, or change the past, but he could take the negative experiences he had and turn them into something positive—a life of worth and value.

His first step was to embrace all that the Life Learning Center had to teach him about how to get and keep a job. Being persistent in his job search, and using transferable skills and techniques he learned at the LLC, Paul landed a job just one month after finishing class. His employer later told him that it was Paul’s persistence in stopping by to check on the status of his application every week that landed him the job, and certainly not his work history! Step two was accomplished. Paul has been employed there for over two years.

For Paul, step three was to get a college education. Using that same persistence, and desire to advance his life, he enrolled at Northern Kentucky University and has completed his first full year of

LIfE LEARNING CENTER GRAdUATEs

Share their journeys

Paulsitavich“You can live a life of worth and value. Just do it one step at a time.”

coursework. He continues to work part time while going to school full time and maintains a 3.4 GPA.

With his getting back on track, Paul determined it was time for step four. This year, he married his longtime girlfriend and moved on to step five—the purchase of a new home in Walton.

Paul’s journey is continuing. He says he has more things to accomplish, and as he does, we are happy to say that he continues to give back to the LLC by speaking at LLC classes and special events. He tells everyone you don’t have to be ashamed of your past. You can live a life of worth and value. Just do it one step at a time.

9 The Life Learning Center 2010 Annual Report

“You can live a life of worth and value. Just do it one step at a time.”

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When Dave Ramey came to the Life Learning Center in March 2009 he was working at two fast food restaurants to make enough money to pay his bills. At one point in his life he had a career and more than enough money to live on. Then he made some mistakes that landed him in trouble with the law. During his incarceration, Dave began to dream of a different life that included helping people prevent making the same mistakes he did. He had already figured out step one: he knew he wanted to work in transitional living, but he didn’t know how to get from fast food to his perfect job.

Dave’s second step was to enroll in the Life Learning Center’s Working Toward a Better Life™ class and to take advantage of the job coaching he received and the LLC’s referral network. Through the connections he

Kathy Earls was over 40 when she decided to take a big step and change careers. She worked and maintained her job in customer service while she returned to school to become a Radiologic Technician. Before she came to the Life Learning Center, Kathy had unsuccessfully tried for more than a year to land a job that would utilize her degree. The competition was fierce for the few available jobs.

The LLC classes taught Kathy how to interview, how to answer the employer’s tough questions, and how to make her skills and experience stand out above the rest of the Technicians looking for work. Using her creative ability, she and her job coach designed a resume that looked like an x-ray, and Kathy put together a step by step program that would keep her in touch with her target list of employers every week.

KathyEarls

“The Life Learning Center taught me how to use creative ways to stand

out from the crowd. I got the job!”

made at the LLC, he is now employed doing the exact work he envisioned.

Getting his life back in order and back on track didn’t happen overnight. It has taken time. Recently, Dave got married and was promoted to a leadership position at work!

“The LLC course was the catalyst I needed to solidify the visions I had for my life.”

Dave Ramey

Her creativity and determination paid off when Kathy landed a job as a mobile Radiologic Technician. She travels to various nursing homes and assisted living facilities, taking the equipment to the patient instead of making the patient come to the equipment.


The Life Learning Center gratefully acknowledges the following for providing in-kind services to provide 100% of the professional design, printing,

and mailing of this publication:

ACCREDITEDCHARITYbbb.org

315 East 15th Street • Covington, Kentucky 41011859-431-0100 • www.nkyllc.org

WORKING toward a better life.TM

2010 Annual Report

Documents

Transcript of 2010 Annual Report