Every new American deserves the opportunity to thrive!

2013 Annual Community Report

2012-13 Board of DirectorsOfficers

PRESIDENT

John AdlerUSF, School of Law

VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY

Barbara DittmannCommunity Volunteer

TREASURER

Sandro RossiniComerica Bank

Members

Joseph CastroUCSF

Miguel Angel GodoyCanal Alliance

Joshua DavisUSF, School of Law

Dick FletcherOne PacificCoast Bank

Gina FromerYMCA San Francisco

Michele ManosKaiser Permanente

Tom NgoWetherby AssetManagement

Mara PerezDevelopment & Planning

Claudia RivasMerrill Lynch

Juliet SchillerDominican University

Tom WilsonCanal Alliance

Message from the President

2

AmbassadorAdvisory CouncilIsabel Allende

Mary Jane Burke

Patricia Garbarino

Belinda Guadarrama

Grace Hughes

Steve Kinsey

Anne Lamott

Gary Ragghianti

Deborah Santana

Ethel Seiderman

Dear Friends,

Because of your steadfast support, the

outstanding work of our Executive Director Tom

Wilson, our impressive staff and 400 dedicated

volunteers, last year was a banner year for Canal

Alliance. We celebrated three decades as Marin’s

leading service provider and community

advocate for immigrants who have fled their

home countries to escape poverty or persecution

and to pursue their dreams of better lives for

themselves and their families.

As a law professor at USF, I help students

appreciate the need for vigilance in protecting

the rights of each individual and the

constitutional values of liberty and equality. As

President of the Board, I am proud to see those

same ideas shape the day-to-day work of Canal

Alliance, including helping the broader

community learn about the aspiring citizens

we serve.

In this Community Report, we are pleased to

share a few of our clients’ remarkable success

stories that inspire us every day.

Today, with the prospect of family-friendly

immigration reform on the horizon, we are

counting on your commitment to ensure that

Canal Alliance continues to improve, adapt and

expand our services for young “dreamers” and

families in need.

Please help us expand our circle of support by

inviting your friends, family and colleagues to

join you in supporting this vital work.

Again, thank you for your compassion and

commitment.

John M. Adler

President, Board of Directors

Professor of Law, University of San Francisco

31 A Portrait of Marin, Marin County Human Development Report 2012

2 California Department of Education Demographics Office, 2011

Angel Studies to Become an EngineerAt age 11, when Angel came to the Canal

neighborhood from Mexico with his mom and

two brothers, he faced many challenges.

Although he was an enthusiastic student who

excelled in math, school was a struggle due to

his limited English skills.

His Mom HelpedHis mom helped him enroll in Canal Alliance’s

Youth Program, where he received intensive

academic support and mentoring from bilingual,

bicultural staff advocates. As he got older, both

of his older brothers dropped out of high school.

One got into trouble and was deported. But

Angel persevered, earning good grades as he

continued to receive support from Canal

Alliance.

Angel’s Life Changed AgainThen at age 15, Angel became a father. But,

instead of curtailing his dreams of an education,

the birth of his daughter, Isabella, made Angel

more determined than ever to earn a college

degree. “I knew I had to go to college to support

my daughter,” he explained. Angel continues to

receive mentoring and scholarship support from

Canal Alliance while he attends Cal State East

Bay, where he is studying to become an

engineer.

o o o o o

Did you know?In Marin County, the high school dropout rate for Latino students is 5 times higher than that of Caucasianstudents.1

During 2010, only 26% of Marin’s Latino high schoolgraduates had taken college prep classes to be eligible toattend the UC or CSU system, compared with 70% ofMarin’s Caucasian students. 2

“ I knew I had to go to college to

support my daughter, Isabella.”

Youth Program Prepares Students for College• 80 at-risk middle and high school students

participate 4-5 days per week

• 35 college students receive mentoring and/orscholarship support

• All program graduates successfully enrolled inhigher education during 2011/2012

Teresa’s Business Takes OffTeresa was only 13 when her mother died. She

and her siblings traveled to San Rafael from

Mexico to live with their relatives. “I can

remember carrying my sister on my back as we

crossed the border,” she recalled. Over the years,

Teresa struggled to build a life for herself in her

new country. Her first marriage ended in a

difficult divorce that left her with no money to

pay the bills and feed her children.

Canal Alliance Provided HelpTeresa received rental assistance, groceries each

week, and immigration legal assistance that

helped her become a US citizen. When Teresa

was hospitalized due to a serious illness in 2010,

Canal Alliance volunteers helped clean her

apartment in preparation for her return home.

“It meant so much to me,” she said.

Teresa’s Hard Work Pays OffDespite many obstacles, Teresa’s dream was to

start her own business as an event planner.

First, she completed Canal Alliance’s small

business training course, where the instructor

“really helped motivate me.” Then, she enrolled

in Canal Alliance’s Individual Development

Account program to save money to invest in her

new business. Later, she attended ESL classes to

improve her English skills. Today, Teresa is a

busy entrepreneur, building the event planning

business of her dreams. She is confident in her

future success. “I want to share my story with

others, because if I can do it, anyone can!”

Residents Receive Education to Increase Earning Power • 1,200 students participate in ESL classes

• 200 receive technology, career development, jobreadiness or business training

• 40 clients use the Individual DevelopmentAccounts to receive matching funds for homepurchase, higher education, or small businessinvestment

1 Furman, Jason and Gray, Danielle: Ten Ways Immigrants Help Build & Strengthen Our Economy, The White House Blog, www.whitehouse.gov/blog/, July 2012

Y Y Y Y Y

Did you know?Small businesses owned by immigrants employed anestimated 4.7 million people in 2007, and according tothe latest estimates generate more than $776 billionannually. 1

“If I can do it, anyone can!”

4

51 A Portrait of Marin, Marin County Human Development Report, 2012

Y Y Y Y Y

Did you know?The Canal neighborhood is described as a “food desert”by the USDA and has one of the highest rates of self-reported poor health and obesity in Marin.1

Elsa Helps Community GrowA native of Guatemala, Elsa came to the US in

1975 and has lived in the Canal neighborhood

for over 20 years. She is deeply appreciative of

how “Canal Alliance is always working for the

community.” When she first moved to the

neighborhood, she needed help and received

rental assistance from Canal Alliance.

Volunteering Builds PrideLater, she volunteered in Comité de Vecinos, a

grassroots leadership group organized to

promote positive change. “We got an unfair

towing ordinance repealed,” Elsa recalled

proudly. Her group also helped install container

vegetable gardens in five Canal apartment

buildings.

Garden Builds CommunityIn 2011, Elsa’s husband lost his job, and Elsa

once again received rental assistance and

emergency food from Canal Alliance. When Elsa

heard about the new Canal Community Garden,

she immediately signed up for a plot. “It’s a

good feeling to grow your own food,” Elsa

explained. She enjoys the sense of community

she gets from tending her garden plot among

other gardeners. “We like to talk about what we

are growing and share plants with each other.”

Food Pantry and Community Garden Improve Health• In partnership with the San Francisco & Marin Food

Bank, Canal Alliance provides the largestemergency food pantry in Marin, providing food to1,891 families annually

• In partnership with Trust for Public Land, City of SanRafael and County of Marin, the new, organic CanalCommunity Garden opened March 30, 2013,featuring 92 raised beds, greenhouse, and ongoingoutdoor, environmentally-friendly classes

“ Canal Alliance is always

working for the community.”

Ariana Accepts Dream Job Helping StudentsAriana was four when she and her parents

traveled from Latin America and settled in West

Marin. Like many undocumented youth, Ariana

was aware that she was considered “illegal” by

some, but there was little impact on her life until

she became a teenager and was unable to get a

California driver’s license. After high school,

Ariana attended Santa Rosa Junior College and

transferred to Sonoma State, but knew she

wouldn’t qualify for a teaching position due to

her immigration status.

A Bittersweet MomentKnowing her employment options were very

limited, she described graduating from Sonoma

State as a “bittersweet moment.” “School was

the one place I could be like everybody else,” she

explained. After graduating with distinction and

a B.A. in Sociology, Ariana worked as a nanny

but dreamed of a having a job she felt passionate

about. Then, in 2012, when the Deferred Action

for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy was

issued by President Obama, she

discovered a link to Canal Alliance on a friend’s

Facebook page offering DACA application

assistance. Ariana attended three DACA

workshops, the immigration legal team

reviewed her application, and she was quickly

approved.

Proud to WorkToday, Ariana is proud to work at 10,000

Degrees, a college support organization for low-

income youth, where she helps high school

students in Point Reyes prepare for college.

Ariana explained “my life has changed so much

since I received my documents; a burden has

been lifted off my shoulders.”

Immigration Legal Services Open Doors • Delivered legal services to 509 clients for new

matters during 1,834 office visits

• Helped 51 clients complete citizenship applications

• Provided information to 811 young people, andassisted 545 with “Deferred Action for ChildhoodArrivals” applications

“School was the one place I could be like everybody else.”

6

71 United States Customs and Immigration Services, http://www.uscis.gov, 2013

Everybody Counts!Canal Alliance believes everybody counts; that

every new American deserves the opportunity

to thrive.

The success stories in these pages bring to life

the courage and determination of thousands of

Canal Alliance clients who have overcome, or

who continue to work hard to overcome, many

daunting challenges.

Community AdvocateFor more than three decades, Canal Alliance has

been the leading community advocate for low-

income, Spanish-speaking immigrants eager to

succeed. Canal Alliance provides a robust array

of services focusing on family stability,

education, legal services and economic

development – helping 3,000 people each year

make positive strides toward achieving success.

Community PartnershipsBy effectively collaborating with at least 40 other

agencies, 400 volunteers and thousands of

community supporters, Canal Alliance and its

partners are proud to empower our newest

Americans to be full participants in our

community.

z z z z z

Did you know?Between August and December 2012, the US Customsand Immigration Service received 367,903 applicationsfor Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and hasapproved 102,965.1

“

“The most valuable ‘return oninvestment’ is the impact of CanalAlliance's work with young people thatreally stands out. It is the young peoplewho are now raising their voices, oftenat their own risk, to talk of theAmerican ideals of fairness, equity,opportunity and equality.”

Dr. Thomas Peters, President and CEOMarin Community Foundation From Remarks at the Canal Alliance 30th

Anniversary Celebration, September 13, 2012

Canal Alliance has

provided a needed voice for

those who often aren’t

capable of navigating the

local political process and

who often are fearful of

speaking up.”

Marin Independent Journal Editorial, June 28, 2012

Achieving Success

b b b b b

Did you know?Spanish-speaking immigrants are the most economicallydisadvantaged working group in the US. For every $1 ofnet worth that Caucasians have, Latinos have only 12cents.1

The Canal area has the largest number (9,000) of low-income residents in Marin, with 98% of elementary schoolchildren qualifying for free/reduced lunches.

1 MeasureofAmerica.org

8

Helping Young People and Families Thrive

Building on SuccessThanks to our supporters, Canal Alliance

provides a full spectrum of immigrant

integration services under one roof – from basic

assistance and classes to impacting systemic

solutions. No other single organization offers

Marin’s low-income, immigrant community this

array of services. We continue to enhance our

cutting edge evaluation processes to ensure that

progress toward successful outcomes can be

consistently measured and service strategies

fine-tuned to achieve the best results.

Canal Alliance’s bilingual, bicultural staff

members are unrivalled in their ability to

understand the needs of Marin’s immigrant

community.

Moving ForwardTop priorities for moving forward are

summarized in our recently completed Strategic

Plan, which emphasizes the need for more

proactive client-centered wraparound services,

and improving the organization’s technology,

staffing and fundraising capacity. Implementing

the Plan over the next three years will ensure

that Canal Alliance will become even more

effective in helping young people and families

thrive. Full community support is needed to

achieve these strategic goals, and we thank you!

Ways to Contribute

• Leadership Circle donors give $1,000 or moreannually via cash, credit or stock donationsand are invited to special informationbriefings and events.

• Donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated.These funds can be “undesignated” to be usedhowever they are needed most, or can bedesignated for a specific purpose.

• Legacy Circle members make a planned giftnaming Canal Alliance as a beneficiary in theirwill, trust, insurance policy or other plannedgift for the organization’s Endowment Fund atMarin Community Foundation.

• Volunteers serve as members of the Board,help raise funds, tutor youth, teach ESLclasses, assist young people to apply forDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,distribute emergency food, or supportmanagement with business skills.

INDIVIDUALSAnonymous (23)John AdlerSue & Richard BarryGeorge & Shelia BertramRick, Helen & Ricky BoebelAnn Bolger & Ronald HelowJoan & Nick BoodrookasKatherine Brinnier In Memory of Kathy Crary

Maureen Broderick & David Thompson

Elizabeth BrownLinda BrownJames & Caroline BurroughsGerald K. Cahill & Kathleen S. King Fund*Elizabeth & Terry CalawayMichael Train CaldwellPatricia Callahan & David DeeCastellanos Family TrustJoseph CastroAmy E ChristensenCohen Family Fund*Katie Crecelius & Mark AgnewChris & Helen CullanderNancy CurleyMark DavidsJosh Davis & Jessica NennerGeorgine DixonLouise & Timothy ErdmanLorenzo ErslandElizabeth Fain & Edmund PayneBarbara FarleyStephanie Fein & David LakesVirginia FifieldDick & Alison FletcherNancy FreedellAlison & Brock FullerTerri Moreno Gelbaum & Daniel Gelbaum

John Gibbons & Neal BrengleJudith & Gregg GibsonSusan & Dennis GilardiSarah & Dirk GodseyMary & Steve GorskiJudy & Jeff GoughChristine & Ron GrossiGinnie & Peter E. Haas, Jr.* Lysa HaleTerry Helbush & Dale MillerRuth & Alfred HellerInge Hendromartono & Christopher Senn

Claire HornLeslie & Stephen JohnsonJuli & Scott KauffmanNancy H. & James Kelso Fund*Margaret Lumpkin Keon

Marcia & Ronald Kinney In Memory of Mike Kinney

Joyce KleinerCaroline KornfieldKaren & Robert KustelPeter LambertDee & Richard LawrenceJanet Lee & Edward ChenLia Rudnic Lee & Nelson LeeLarry Litvak & June CoopermanGale & Jon LoveDavid LustermanCraig MacLeodCarole & Stephen Mahoney In Memory of Lois & Jim Duggan

J. Michael MahoneySheryl ManisMichele ManosJoan & Gordon MarksMichie & Thayer McDougle On Behalf of the McDougle & ShiotaFamilies

William & Christney McGlashanVera & Kenneth MeislinGilbert Mendez & Roaru ClaytonJane MillerTamra & Kurt MobleyMelissa Nelken & Ron LeeTom NgoBecky & Jerry OkenDiane OngaroLea & Allen OrwitzBarbara & William PetersonCindy PickensPurple Lady/Barbara J. Meislin Fund*Bruce & Theresa RaabeTracy & Michael Radcliffe In Honor of Sam Hybiashi

Maja & Craig RamseyRand-Montgomery Fund*Bob & Paula ReynoldsJoyce & Gary RifkindSandy RolleriPennie & Sandro RossiniRose Rovan & Susan CumminsStephanie & William RyderMichelle & Edward SartiGlenn & Janice SaundersSteve & Martha SaundersBruce ScottonGeorge L. Shields FoundationStacey & Spencer SiasLarry & Gail SiegelMarla Simpson & Barry DinersteinScott & Dina SmithJacquie & David SpielbergTom Steyer & Kat TaylorJudith & Peter ValentineSally & Bill Van Ingen

Yadira VigilNancy WarfieldDavid & Suzanne WarnerWeinreb Segal Family Fund*Heidi & Richard WillettsJim WilliamsTom Wilson & Terry BrightRex WolfJuan & Lanya Zambrano

FOUNDATIONS & ORGANIZATIONSIsabel Allende FoundationBank of America FoundationBella Vista FoundationBernard Osher Marin Jewish

Community CenterBothin FoundationBrandeis Hillel Day SchoolCalifornia Highway PatrolCalifornia Prison Industry AuthorityCloudview FoundationCollege Access FoundationComcast FoundationComerica Charitable FoundationCommunity Development Block

GrantCounty of MarinForWords, the Catie Siegel

Community Writing CenterCarl Gellert & Celia Berta Gellert

FoundationPeter E. Haas Jr. Family FundHeffernan FoundationHilltop Group Charitable Foundation¡HolaKids!Huckleberry Youth ProgramsJoerger Family Charitable FoundationJonas Family FoundationKaiser Permanente FoundationKalliopeia FoundationKimball FoundationLatino Community FoundationLumpkin Family FoundationAlexander M. & June L. Maisin

FoundationMaria Kip Orphanage FundMarin Charitable AssociationMarin Community FoundationMarin Evening RotaryMarin/SF Jewish Teen FoundationMorrison & Foerster FoundationNewman's Own FoundationMilton & Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond

FoundationSaint Mark's SchoolSan Francisco FoundationAlice Shaver FoundationWilliam E. Simon FoundationSimon-Strauss Foundation

May & Stanley Smith Charitable TrustSt. John's ChurchMorris Stulsaft FoundationSun Valley SchoolTipping Point CommunityTrust for Public LandU.S. Bank FoundationUnbroken Chain FoundationUnion Bank FoundationUnited Way of the Bay AreaUniversity of California, San Franciscovan Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation

Villa MarinWells Fargo FoundationZellerbach Family Foundation

BUSINESSESArgumedo Garazon Law GroupAutodeskBank of MarinBank of the WestCalifornia Film InstituteChevronCitibankClub 101Dodge & CoxFirewood MarketingFirst Federal Savings & Loan Association of San Rafael

FowlerHoffmanGilardi & Co.Hewlett-PackardKuvara Law FirmLautze & LautzeLaw Offices of Fellom & SolorioMacy'sMarin Independent JournalMarin Sanitary ServiceMi Pueblo FoodsOne PacificCoast BankPacific Gas & ElectricPacific SunPanama HotelPing's Mandarin RestaurantRaptor DiscoveriesRemedy InteractiveSeyfarth ShawSol FoodStacy Scott Fine CateringTangram Insurance ServicesThe Lodge at TiburonUnicorn GroupWetherby Asset Management

9Leadership Circle members listed contributed $1,000 or more between January 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013. While every effort has been made to be accurate, please let us know if we need to correct our records.

* Donor-Advised Fund at the Marin Community Foundation

Honor Roll Leadership Circle

Thank You

10

Outstanding Volunteers, Community Partners and Staff

LEADING VOLUNTEERSPedro AlvarezAlicia ArceMarabeth BaconMarsha BermanChas BlackfordMonica BonnyJohn BrownClaudia Bruckert Noemi Camargo-MartinezJohn CapeJean CarterEvelyn CruzAnne CullinaneLinda & Drew DeerSamantha DeerLloyd ElliotELS Language CentersFiremen's Fund Insurance Co.Jude FletcherNancy FreedellTricia GeorgeKelly GiddingsJoe GoldmanRobert GreberDiane GreenNicolas GuzmanShari HangSue HusariPaula IronsSara IsbellMartha JacksonNancy JacobsLyn JonesSusan KaplanDan KellerSusan KellerAllison KirkLinda-Marie KozaMark KrahlingSue KramerTom LatinovichKatie Lynn LopezWayne LoucksGeorge LunaMarin Catholic High SchoolEdith MartinezAmy McCarthyCorrie McCluskeyMonica McMillanMaurice MorenoBev MunyonPaulina MustazzaCatherine Newhall

Eileen OrmistonEmily PermanChloe PfeifferZoe PoynorJoan RaabCatherine RambergVirginia RandolphRedwood High SchoolCarmen Rios-RamirezTeresa RodriguezTamayo SatoMaxine SattizahnCaroline SilversteinJane SolomonsLaw Offices of Antonia M. Stainbrook

Dan SteinbergDon StibichCora SwansonMarsha Jo TanforanDiana TarrazoGary TopperSandivel TorresYvette WakefieldWells Fargo BankHeidi WilletsCandace YoshidaJeffrey Zankel

STAFFTom WilsonExecutive Director

Omar CarreraAssociate Executive Director

Joshua CastroDirector of Community Engagement

Janet FletcherDirector of Finance and Administration

Sherrie HolmesDirector of Development

Bob JacksonDirector of Economic Development

Sandy PonekDirector of Family Resources

Raquel SaundersDirector of Youth Scholarship Program

Alyssa SimpsonDirector of Immigration LegalServices

Pamela Vargas-TouchardDirector of Marketing

Adriana Acosta Martha Aguiar Adrian Aragon Gabby Aragon Ericka Ayala Melissa Brandan Jorge Castellanos Gloria Castillo Axel Flores Saul Godinez Miguel Godoy Jamie Goekler Noah Harris Arleth Hernandez Erik Hernandez Nayeli Hernandez Sara Hundt Lupita Magaña Javier Morera Kathy Page Anna Penoyar Melissa Rivas Alexis Rodriguez Martin Steinman Reede Stockton Ana Tafolla Alia Vander Lind Maria Vierra Daniel Werner

COMMUNITY PARTNERS10,000 Degrees

Adopt A Family of Marin

American Immigration LawyersAssociation Northern California

American Red Cross

Bahia Vista Elementary School

California Immigrant PolicyCenter

Canal Welcome Center

Catholic Charities - Kids Club

Center for Domestic Peace

Center for Volunteer & NonprofitLeadership

City of San Rafael

College of Marin

Community Action of Marin

Community Institute forPsychotherapy

Corporation for National & Community Service

County of Marin

Davidson Middle School

Dominican University ofCalifornia

EARN

Fair Housing of Marin

ForWords, the Catie Siegel Community Writing Center

Guatemalan Counsulate

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin

Homeward Bound of Marin

Legal Aid of Marin

¡Levántate! Lift! for Teens

Marin Academy

Marin City Community Development Corporation

Marin Community Clinics

Marin Computer Resource Center

Marin Literacy Program

Marin Master Gardeners

Novato Human Needs Center

Novato Youth Center

Parent Services Project

Renew Computers - TechnologyRecyclers

Ritter Center

Saint Mark's School

San Francisco & Marin FoodBanks

San Rafael High School

Spark Point Center

St. Vincent de Paul Society ofMarin

Terra Linda High School

UCSF Child Trauma ResearchProject

Upwardly Global

11

Canal Alliance Financial Statement

Fiscal Year July 2011– June 2012

Revenues

Foundation Grants $1,707,207 45%

Corporate Support $ 155,006 4%

Individual Support $ 585,609 15%

County Contracts $ 262,060 7%

In-Kind Donations $ 973,051 25%

Other Revenue $ 152,780 4%

Total Revenue $3,835,713 100%

Expenses

Program Services $3,154,989 82%

Administration $ 342,665 9%

Fundraising $ 339,851 9%

Total Expenses $3,837,505 100%

Number of Clients Served Fiscal Year 2011-2012

82%

45%25%

15%

Family Advocacy

FoodPantry

YouthProgram

AdultClasses

ImmigrationLegal Services

0

500

1000

1500

2000

831

1594

120

1418

880

4%

4%

7%

9%

9%

Total unduplicated clients servedin Fiscal Year 2011-2012: 3,000

The complete audited financial report is available atwww.canalalliance.org or upon request.

Canal Alliance | 91 Larkspur Street | San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415-454-2640 | www.canalalliance.org

“Canal Alliance is proud to support the new Americanswho have endured hardships and grueling journeys tobecome part of this great nation. They embody theAmerican spirit, just like their predecessors who immigrated through Ellis Island. We believe family-friendly immigration reform is essential to helpingfamilies create a better life.”Tom Wilson, Executive Director

Content: Jorge Castellanos Sherrie Holmes Pamela Vargas-TouchardMaria Vierra

Graphic Design: Robin Brandes Design www.robinbrandes.com

Mural: © Precita Eyes Muralists

Photography: Tim Porter www.timporter.com

Photographs on page 11: Jamie Hopper, Trust for Public Land

Front Cover Photo: Vickie Leonard www.vickieleonardphotography.com